John Wood water heater makes popping or rumbling noises during heating

Safety: Turn off power or gas and allow the water to cool before flushing.

• 1. Drain and flush: 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 clear.
• 2. Electric models: Remove and inspect elements for scale. Clean or replace elements as needed.
• 3. Water treatment: Consider installing a water softener or scale reduction system if hardness is high.
• 4. Regular maintenance: Schedule annual flushing to prevent recurrence.