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Tankless water heaters provide a reliable hot water supply, plus energy savings over traditional tank models. But tankless water heaters require routine maintenance to stay operating at full capacity. While most homeowners can perform some of these tasks themselves, a yearly appointment with your local Mr. Rooter® Plumbing is the best way to keep your unit in top shape and extend its lifespan.
Request a job estimate online to get water heater maintenance scheduled with Mr. Rooter Plumbing.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
Many homeowners can complete routine cleaning and inspections on their tankless water heaters. Here are three tasks to get you started:
- Flush your tankless water heater every year. If your water is especially hard, protect your unit from mineral buildup by performing more frequent flushes. Your owner’s manual will walk you through the process for your specific unit.
- If your water heater has an air filter or cold-water inlet filter, check your owner’s manual for instructions to clean these filters.
- Wipe the exterior of your tankless water heater with a damp cloth. (Do not wipe the fan blades, heat exchanger, or burner.) Cleaning first will allow you to perform a better visual inspection of the water heater.
If you see signs of rust or corrosion on the unit, call your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing for help.
When You Need a Plumber for Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
Due to the potential hazards of some water heater maintenance tasks, there are some things that should be left to a professional plumber. Here are a few examples of when you should call your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing for assistance:
- If your water is soft to normal, have a tankless water heater descaling performed yearly. The harder your water is, the more often your water heater should be descaled.
- Have your plumber inspect your fan blades, heat exchanger, and burner every year for preventative maintenance or repair issues. They should use compressed air to clean these parts as they look through the unit.
- If your water heater has a pressure-relief valve, your plumber should test it every year to make sure it’s operating correctly.
- Ask your plumber to inspect the water heater’s motor, vents, and fan. They should perform necessary lubrication or repairs if they notice any problems.
If you have any questions or concerns about your water heater’s performance, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is your local source for tankless water heater repairs.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Near Me
The experts at your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing perform tankless water heater maintenance services. Keep your unit working to its full potential and make sure it continues to meet your household’s needs every day for many more years to come. To get started, request a job estimate online or call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tankless water heater do I need?
Tankless water heaters are measured by how many litres of hot water they can produce per minute. Models are available that produce between 7 and 45 litres of hot water per minute (LPM). For average households, 19-38 LPM is appropriate. Energy efficiency is another consideration. Electric models are a good choice if you need up to 30 LPM. If you need more hot water than that, a gas model is more efficient, but poses a carbon monoxide hazard.
My tankless water heater is not heating—why?
The cause is often simple. For electric models, check the circuit breaker to see if it’s tripped. For gas models, make sure the gas valve is fully on and that propane or natural gas is being supplied to the unit. Both types have a minimum water flow rate; if your hot water demand is lower than that threshold, the unit won’t produce hot water. Open another hot tap for a minute and see if the warm water starts flowing. If these steps don’t work, call your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing for assistance.
My tankless water heater goes cold after a few minutes. What’s going on?
A drawback of tankless water heaters is the potential for the so-called “cold water sandwich.” If your water goes back and forth between hot and cold, there are several potential causes, including a damaged flow sensor, a dirty water filter, or a gas line that’s too small for the unit. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to diagnose and resolve the problem.
What are the tankless water heater pros and cons?
Tankless water heaters offer several advantages over traditional models, including better energy efficiency, endless access to hot water, and a much longer expected lifespan. However, tankless models come with higher upfront costs and are more limited in how much hot water they can produce per minute.
