Immersion heater noise/vibration

[adrianr]

I have recently moved into a flat, and the hot water is supplied by an electric immersion heater. Recently, the tank has started making an incredibly loud vibrating sound sometimes when the tap is turned on. It sounds like the tank is resonating. This doesn't seem to happen when the shower is used (even though the shower is also connected via the tank). What is happening?

[rekstout]

Could be air in the system - have you tried bleeding it?

[Disco Fever]

Air is a posibility and so is the element in the tank starting to break down. Is the tank making the noise when any other tap is turned on? If not then it could be the actual pipes vibrating but it just sounds like its coming from the tank.

[norfolk boy]

It may be the ballvalve in the header tank which is getting a worn washer.noise travels along way through water pipes as i've noticed when my boy keeps clunking the upstairs rad with his fire engine!

[andtheace]

It does sound like air in the system. The water in the tank could also be getting too hot. Unscrew the cover off the top and check what setting the thermostat is on.

[buchanan]

If the problem is with resonation, then it is likely to be with the flow. Try altering the flow of the tap to see what effect this has.