tap tap tap

[kthr33]

Here in our 4 person office, we have a (50? Gal), natural gas, US Craftmaster Water Heater. No one is sure of its age. It was in the office when I came here in 2006. Maybe 10 years ago, we started noticing a tapping noise, maybe a few times a year. The sound makes me think of someone lightly tapping the pipe with a wrench, and it is definitely coming from the water heater. The noise is not tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap. Its more like an irregular tap tap tap. It happens for a few minutes, then is quite for a while. It may happen a couple time today and tomorrow, then be quite for weeks. We have also noticed that when we are hearing the tapping noise, the water at the faucet is HOT. Steam is not rising, but you can't leave your hands in it. Our normal temperature setting is the first white mark to the left of WARM and the water at the faucet is normally lukewarm. A year or so ago we asked a local plumber about it. He came in and looked the tank over, tested the temperature at the faucet, confirmed it was running 90ish, and explained all looked OK to him. Also, it wasn't tapping at the time the plumber inspected it. We have never been satisfied with the results of the plumbers visit, and a couple days ago it started tapping and heating up again. Our concern is, Should we be concerned? All Suggestions, ideas, comments any wish to offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, K.

 

[Fitter30]

18-19 years old at least replace it. Could fail at any time. Your on borrowed time.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

If you are curious as to the date of manufacture, expect the first two digits of the serial number to be the 2-digit year.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

If it is a craftmaster, they have been sort of out of circulation since 2008 or so...

If the heater is getting super hot I suggest you turn down the thermostat to low
or just shut it down
and consider getting a new water heater asap

 

[kthr33]

Sorry for the delay. Finally found my log in creds.
Thanks All. Your answers were what I was expecting, but I was hoping for somethng else. Appreciate the help, K.