The popping noise in the water heater is from the buildup of sediment in the bottom of the tank. When the burner fires, the water between the tank and sediment will reach a boiling point and it's the lifting action of the water popping through the sediment that you hear. This type of problem can't be corrected and the water heater should be replaced.
Flushing the tank once a year would have avoided this problem. Trying to flush the tank when the problem exists will probably not resolve the issue... More and likely the sediment will be nearly solid, almost rock like and will not drain out. As Tony Plumbing Co. suggested replacing the heater will be your best course of action. You will experience tank failure, it could be in 1 month or a year, but it will go bad soon. When you get your new water heater it would be a good idea to get in the habit of visually checking the tank frequently and getting the water heater tank flushed once or twice a year. Installing a water softer may reduce your maintenance obligations. 
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