Hot water heater buzzing

osgoor · 06-10-2015, 06:58 AM

My 10 gallon hot water heater buzzes every time hot water is demanded. The tone is not constant but varies. The variance is not based on how open the spigot is. The buzzing starts immediately and only stops when the hot water is turned off. What should I be looking for as a cause?

Thanks

zippo · 06-10-2015, 07:03 AM

The check valve on the backside of the heater is most likely causing the buzzing sound.

Wizard · 06-10-2015, 07:10 AM

X2 on the check valve. Temporary fix would be to remove the spring and plunger in the check valve. Replacement would be the better fix.

osgoor · 06-10-2015, 08:11 AM

Thanks... the location is a bi!@h to get to and I have not been able to get it to turn to take out. Hit it with PB Blaster and still no luck. Taking the whole thing out would be its own challenge.

Clay L · 06-10-2015, 02:35 PM

There are two check valves. One on the inlet and one on the outlet. On mine they look like brass nipples and are screwed right into the water heater fittings.
One of mine started buzzing last year but stopped after a few days.

This is a diagram I drew of the system.

[/URL]

osgoor · 06-10-2015, 04:22 PM

Thanks all... I think we got it. With the help of a neighbor with a big wrench, we removed the check valve, replaced it with a new one and so far there are no drips and no more noise...

Texbeachbum · 06-10-2015, 04:27 PM

Why do you need to heat hot water?

osgoor · 06-10-2015, 04:28 PM

Funny guy

osgoor · 06-10-2015, 05:30 PM

Doh! Now we have no hot water. I am guessing the check valve was installed backwards. Please shoot me now.

osgoor · 06-10-2015, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay L

There are two check valves. One on the inlet and one on the outlet. On mine they look like brass nipples and are screwed right into the water heater fittings.
One of mine started buzzing last year but stopped after a few days.

This is a diagram I drew of the system.

[/URL]

Looking at your diagram, the valve we are working with is at the bottom rear of the tank and we have it so water is allowed out of the water heater. This seems backwards from the diagram.

shiggs68 · 06-10-2015, 06:35 PM

All water heaters, the cold enters at the bottom and hot comes out the top.

With that said, for most single valve bypass systems, the valve that you turn either directs the water into the tank or up the bypass pipe. The hot check valve stops re-entry thru the hot connection and no need for a bottom check valve.

Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum
TravellingRVDoctor, LLC

osgoor · 06-12-2015, 08:54 AM

Success... check valve is now in correctly, new fitting from check valve to pex and (crossed fingers) no leaks.