Ontario Propane Blog

3 Propane Tank Noises and What They Mean

Posted by James Callow on Wed, Oct 31, 2018 @ 10:00 AM

Two residential propane tanks

Propane is a safe and clean-burning heating option and has very little impact on the environment, but, as with any fuel, it is important to know how to properly handle propane with care and to be aware of any unusual sounds. 

Propane tanks, in general, last significantly longer than oil or electric fuel sources, but overtime overuse and ageing can cause your propane tank to make noises. It’s possible that these noises are either coming from the propane tank itself or the gas line connected to it.

These sounds can represent different issues with your propane tank, and that’s why Budget Propane Ontario has listed the three most popular noises here:

1 - Knocking sounds

A knocking sound coming from your propane gas tank after it has been turned on usually means that the mixture of gas and air is uneven. By checking the flames you can easily establish whether this is the case or not.

If the flame is blue with a yellow tip then that indicates the correct measure. However, a yellow or white flame means that the mixture of gas and air is uneven and you should call a technician. A technician will be able to adjust how your propane tank controls airflow.

These issues are often not dangerous, however ignoring unusual noises creates the risk of ignoring further issues that develop. If you have any doubts about a noise it’s always a great idea to contact your propane supplier who can help further.

2 - Humming and gurgling sounds

A gurgling or humming noise after you have turned your gas on could mean that your propane tank has been overfilled. An overfilled tank puts excess pressure on the regulator and reduces the outflow from the tank. This could result in weak flames, low heat and discoloured pilot lights.

If this is a problem you are experiencing then you should contact your propane supplier. You should never try to drain the propane tank yourself.

Humming could also be caused by either trapped air or the vibrating of the regulator. Occasionally a pocket of air will become trapped inside the hose, or the rubber diaphragm on the regulation valve could vibrate.

3 - Hissing sounds

Hissing is the most common sound to come from propane tanks and is usually a sign of a gas leak. If you hear this noise you should turn your tank off and immediately call your propane supplier for a technician.

Any hissing noises coming from your propane tank should not be confused with the initial gas rush that you hear when you first turn your propane line on.

Propane is one of the safest energy sources you can use in your home or business. In fact, propane tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant thank tanks filled with ethanol, methanol or gasoline. Despite this, it’s always great to be aware of any unusual and new noises that didn’t exist before.

However, the strong pungent smell of rotten eggs that propane imitates should make detecting propane leaks easy.

If you have any propane questions, or simply want to inquire about deliveries, please contact Budget Propane Ontario today.

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Tags: Propane Safety

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