There are several issues you can experience with your tankless water heater. These issues include low water pressure, limescale build-up, and error codes. If you encounter any of these, read on to learn how to deal with them. Flushing is another common problem. You may also want to consider a tankless water heater repair service. These companies are skilled in these issues and will offer you the best service for your money. Here are a few of the more common issues with tankless water heaters:
Low water pressure
While low water pressure is an annoyance, it’s also a sign of a major plumbing problem that requires a professional’s attention. You can start by looking at your fixtures to determine the root cause of low water pressure. If they all seem to be working properly, it’s likely that your tankless water heater is working correctly. Check to see whether your pressure regulator is functioning correctly. If not, you can replace it and save yourself some money on the repair.
Limescale build-up
If you live in an area with hard water, you might need to descale your tankless water heater twice a year. Descalement helps prevent build-up of limescale on the heat exchanger, which is the part of your heater that heats water. To determine how much build-up your heater is experiencing, you can look at a map of hard water concentrations. A city like Phoenix, Arizona, is known to have very hard water. Hot water can also increase the build-up of scale.
Error codes
When your tankless water heater is displaying error codes, you need to diagnose the problem. First, determine whether your water heater is using natural or LP gas. Next, check the heat exchanger to see if it is dirty. If it is, clean it and check the Molex connector. If the error code is 14 – too low temperature in the outside air thermistor – your heater needs to be repaired.
Flushing
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your tankless water heater is by flushing it regularly. Minerals in water collect inside the unit, especially if you live in an area with hard water. If this buildup becomes unavoidable, you may be forced to have the heater repaired, or even replace the unit. But a tankless water heater is not in danger of explosion, so the extra effort is well worth it.
Replacement parts
Replacement parts are available for a wide range of tankless water heater models, including A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Richmond, Whirlpool, and Rheem models. If you need a replacement part for a certain brand of tankless water heater, you can search the online database by the full model number of your system. Alternatively, you can check out Repair Clinic’s DIY content library, which includes articles and videos about common water heater problems and repairs.
If you need a new tankless water heater or water heater repair in Phoenix contact Ben Franklin Plumbing AZ for help.
