Bradford White water heater makes popping or rumbling noises during heating.

Safety: Water may be very hot. Turn off power/gas and allow the tank to cool before flushing.

Steps:

• Flush tank: Connect a hose to the drain valve, shut off cold supply, open a hot faucet, and drain several gallons at a time while briefly opening and closing the cold supply to stir sediment. Continue until water runs clearer.
• Install sediment flush kit (if available): Some Bradford White models support enhanced flushing kits to improve sediment removal.
• Consider water treatment: If you have very hard water, install a water softener or schedule regular flushing to reduce noise and extend tank life.

Persistent loud noises after flushing may indicate severe scale buildup; tank replacement may be the only long-term solution.