Why does my water heater sound like a bomb going off?

-It sounds like a nuclear bomb going off in the far distance. It's like this big rumbling whooshing sound when the gas ignites. is this normal? My old water heater never did thatDifferent water heater, different ignition pattern. I used to have an oil-fired water heater, and it sounded like a jet engine in the distance the entire time it was running, a low throbbing rumble with a high-pitched whine in the background.



Some gas water heaters ignite in a nice, progressive pattern from one end to the other, and some just come on in a big WHUMPF.



Sounds like you got the WHUMPF.



Funny, Y!A spellcheck thinks I spelled that wrong.Have the gas company come out and check it's lighting properly.
its broken?