Noritz Scale Buildup / Kettling in Heat Exchanger

Noritz water heater makes loud banging or popping noises during operation.

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Possible Causes

Heavy mineral scale on heat exchanger surfaces, High hardness water with no softening, Long intervals between maintenance, High temperature setpoint exacerbating scale

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn OFF power and gas. Allow the unit to cool before connecting hoses.

Steps to check and correct:

  • Perform descaling: Connect a pump and hoses to the Noritz service valves and circulate white vinegar or approved descaling solution through the heat exchanger for 45–60 minutes, following the Noritz service instructions.
  • Flush thoroughly: After descaling, flush with clean water to remove residual solution.
  • Install water treatment: In hard water areas, consider a water softener or scale reduction system upstream of the heater.
  • Adjust temperature: Lower the set temperature if it is unnecessarily high to reduce future scale formation.
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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Heat Exchanger
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