I have an AO Smith gas heater, 10 yr, Pro-Max+ that is 5 years old. It has started to make a popping sound when heating. I know this is usually caused by mineral deposits and flushing has not helped. That being said, we have very low mineral content in the water here. None of the three heaters in the previous 30 years did this, nor does it happen in the same unit of the same age at my daughter's condo three blocks from here. None of my neighbors have this problem. Smith customer service has been less than useless in determining the cause of this seeming anomaly, preferring to spit back the same BS canned response no matter what the question. Attempts to work my way up their food chain to someone who actually has a clue have been thwarted.
If anyone has an idea as to a cause other than mineral build-up, I would appreciate hearing about it.
If anyone has an idea as to a cause other than mineral build-up, I would appreciate hearing about it.