shower makes banging noises

UKJubilee_2

I have the Triton Caselona 9.5kw which has been installed for about a year. Since last weekend it has started making a banging noise when in use on the highest setting. If I turn it down to the middle setting this goes away (but then the shower is too cold for use at this time of year).

I had a look on the forum and someone else had banging in pipes around their house and their shower which went away when the cold tap was turned on. The only thing making the noise is the shower and it doesn't go away if I turn the cold tap on.

Does anyone have any ideas what could cause this and how to go about resolving it? (other then taking cold showers...brrrr!)

WestonDave

I'm no expert - hopefully one will be along soon! However it could be limescale build up on the element - that would be worse on a higher power setting and unaffected (or even worsened) by turning on another tap.

What happens as I understand it is that limescale builds up on the element over time - limescale expands at a different rate to the element when it gets hot and that causes a popping noise. If the heat is down low the water flow will keep the element temperature down so the limescale won't expand enough to make the noise.

Not sure what you can do about it - if someone has a good solution I'd be glad to hear it as well!

If hard water isn't a problem in your area this is probably all a red herring!

UKJubilee_2

hmmm it is hard water here (the kettle gets loads of limescale)...maybe a possibility although as you say not sure what the solution would be....

Avoriaz

It could be limescale or it could be the sound of small pockets of water boiling as it goes through the heater.

Who supplied and fitted it and is it under guarantee? Go back to them as it is barely a year old.

Maybe you need to consider installing a water softener.

ozskin

there are scalemaster electric showers with built in scale inhibitors that may be a cheaper option if it has given up the ghost