Hidden Plumbing Problems: What to Look for

Some Problems You Might Encounter with Your Tankless Hot Water Heater & How to Fix Them

22 July 2019

Herbert Chambers

Your new tankless water heater should make morning showers more enjoyable since you don't have to worry about running out of hot water. However, you may encounter a few problems with your heater as you get used to how it works. After you've been using it for a long time, the heater could need repairs to function properly. Here are some problems you might encounter with your tankless water heater.

A Brief Period of Cold Water

While a tankless heater gets water hot fast, it isn't instantaneous. The farther the heater is from your shower, the longer it takes for the hot water to reach you. Since the hot water has to travel through the pipes, it's possible for you to experience brief periods when the hot water stops and cold water runs out of the shower. This would happen when you turn the shower off for a bit and then turn it back on. If the problem is bothersome, talk to a plumber for a solution, which might require moving the heater or adding another small heater. However, once you realize an occasional pocket of cold air is expected and it's not a sign of a malfunction, you may find the situation easy to live with.

Ignition Problems

One nice thing about new tankless hot water heaters is that they display error codes that let you know when something is wrong. For instance, ignition problems are possible, and when they happen, the heater will display a code telling you about the problem. If a quick check of the gas source and the heater doesn't show an obvious reason that your heater isn't kicking on, then you'll need to call a plumber to investigate and fix the problem.

Scale Buildup

Just like scale can build up and interfere with the function of a reservoir heater, scale from hard water can cause a tankless heater to malfunction. You might prevent this by having a water softener installed if your home has hard water. You might also be able to flush your water tank occasionally with a cleaner made for the purpose of removing scale. The manual that came with your water heater may have instructions for removing scale, including the product to use. It's important to follow the instructions or scale might build up and keep your water heater from working properly.

A tankless water heater should provide you with years of good service as long as you maintain it properly. Keep your manual in a safe place so you can look up error codes when they happen, and keep the unit free from scale buildup. If the heater makes odd noises or if it doesn't seem to heat water as well as it should, then call a plumber to take a look so repairs can be done in a timely manner.

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