Reliance water heater makes popping or rumbling noises during heating

Safety first: Turn OFF power or gas. Allow water to cool to a safe temperature before draining. Use caution when handling hot water and sediment.

Steps to check:

• 1. Attach drain hose: Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and route it to a floor drain or outside.
• 2. Flush tank: Open the drain valve and a nearby hot faucet to allow air in. Flush until water runs clear and sediment flow decreases. Close the drain and refill.
• 3. Repeat if needed: For heavy buildup, multiple flush cycles may be required. Consider using a short burst of water by closing and opening the cold inlet to stir sediment.
• 4. Descale (tankless/hybrid): For tankless or hybrid models, use the built-in service valves and a pump with descaling solution to clean the heat exchanger per Reliance instructions.
• 5. Adjust temperature: Lowering the thermostat to around 120°F can slow future scale buildup.

Note: Severe long-term sediment can overheat the tank bottom and shorten heater life.