5 Issues That Require Tankless Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
Every appliance in your San Antonio, TX home makes your life easier and more convenient. For example, your washer and dryer make it possible to do laundry in your home rather than going to the laundromat, and your dishwasher does the dishes for you. Although these appliances make your life easier, you can live without them. One appliance you can’t live without is your water heater.
Although your water heater is technically an appliance, it’s also part of your plumbing system, and you can’t live without it.
When water comes into your home, it’s cold, and the water heater is responsible for heating the water. Traditional tank water heaters have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, and when the unit has reached the end of its lifespan, it will need to be replaced. When the time comes to replace your water heater, you don’t have to install another tank water heater and can go with a tankless water heater.
Tankless units have benefits you can’t get from a tank water heater, including:
- Save on your energy bills: A traditional tank water heater runs for three to five hours a day, depending on the size of the tank. This draws a significant amount of electricity and causes your energy bills to increase.
Tankless units provide water on-demand, and only kicks on when you need hot water, and are 24 to 34 percent more energy-efficient than tank models, saving you money every month. - Saves space: Tank water heaters are really big, and even the smallest tank takes up a lot of space in your home. Tankless units are about the size of a small suitcase and can be hung on the wall. This will save space, which is excellent, especially if you have a smaller home.
- You won’t run out of hot water: If you have a tank water heater and use too much hot water, the supply will be depleted, and you will have to wait for the tank to refill and heats up before you can use the hot water.
Because tankless units provide hot water on-demand, you won’t have to worry about running out. - Longer lifespan: The average lifespan of a tank unit is 8 to 10 years, and a tankless unit can continue functioning for 20 years, and you won’t have to replace it as often.
- Less maintenance and fewer repairs: Tank water heaters should be maintained every year, and sediment buildup can result in frequent repairs. In addition, tankless units require fewer repairs, and you won’t have to call a professional in tankless water heater repair as often.
Like every appliance in your home, your tankless water heater can develop issues; therefore, when the new tankless unit is installed in your home, it’s essential that you can recognize signs that there is a problem. It’s best to detect issues early so you can call a professional in tankless water heater repair right away to prevent further damage from occurring.
#1 The Unit Isn’t Heating the Water
The most obvious sign you need to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair is if the unit isn’t heating the water. Tankless units are designed to produce hot water on-demand, and you’ll need a plumber to figure out why you have no hot water coming into your San Antonio, TX home.
A few issues can result in a lack of hot water, including:
- Blocked air supply or exhaust: If you have an electric water heater and the air supply or exhaust is blocked, the unit’s safety feature will kick in and shut the water heater down, preventing it from heating the water. A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can remove the clog, restoring the hot water.
- Failed ignition: If you have a gas or propane water heater, an ignition problem can prevent the unit from heating the water. This can occur due to fuel issues and can occur if the propane tank is empty or the gas valves aren’t open. If there’s an ignition issue you will see an error message letting you know it’s time to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair.
- Flame failure: If there isn’t an issue with the fuel supply, a flame failure could be causing the problem. A few issues can cause flame failures, such as issues with the gas line, venting, or electrical wiring, and you will need a professional in tankless water heater repair to find the root of the problem so it can be resolved.
#2 Lukewarm Water
When you turn on the water in your San Antonio, TX home, the hot water should reach 120 to 140 degrees. If the water temperature is significantly lower and doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, you should schedule an appointment for a tankless water heater repair.
When the water isn’t hot enough, your hot water-based appliances won’t function as well as they should, and taking a shower can be awful; therefore, it’s best to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair right away.
If you have a gas tankless water heater, corrosion and sediment could be the problem. These water heaters heat the moving water with heat exchangers. When sediment and corrosion build up, or there’s an issue with the gas burners can prevent the water from heating to the desired temperature.
The unit’s aquastat controls the temperature. Trying to resolve the problem by increasing the aquastat is a scalding hazard; therefore, it’s best to have a plumber specialize in tankless water heater repair to fix the problem, and restoring the hot water.
If you have an electric water heater, the air supply could be blocked, preventing the water from heating to the desired temperature. If the blockage is minor, the safety feature that shuts the water heater down won’t kick on, and you’ll have lukewarm water coming from the hot water taps in your home.
#3 Reduced Hot Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential in performing everyday tasks in your San Antonio, TX home. If the water pressure is reduced, simple daily tasks will take longer than necessary, such as rinsing a dish or washing your hair. In addition, your water-based appliances need adequate water pressure to function at peak performance.
If the hot and cold water pressure is poor, the issue is with the plumbing system, such as a leak or clog in the pipes or a problem with the main shutoff valve, the water meter valve, or the pressure regulator.
If the hot water pressure is poor, the problem is with the unit, and you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair as soon as possible.
One common problem in tankless water heaters is build-up in the intake and outtake lines, which are smaller than those in a traditional tank unit; therefore, they can clog faster. Hard water deposits and sediment can clog the lines, causing a drop in water pressure.
A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can inspect the unit to determine if clogged lines are the problem and then clear the clog. If you had gone with a traditional tank model, water pressure issues would have been more serious. The plumber will need to clear the waterline and then try to flush the sediment from the tank. If they can’t remove the sediment, the waterline will clog again, and you’ll need to schedule another appointment for water heater repair, and the plumber will suggest a water heater replacement.
#4 The Unit Shuts Down When You’re In the Shower
Taking a cold shower is the worst way to start the day. If the tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home shuts down when someone is in the shower, you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. Several problems can cause this problem, including:
- Coldwater sandwich: This is a term used by plumbers, and it’s a term for when the water is hot, then gets cold, then hot again. This can occur if the distance between the tankless unit is too far. The further apart they are located will cause cold water to come from the taps longer. You can resolve the problem yourself by letting the water run for a few minutes before getting in the shower; however, this can waste a significant amount of water over time, causing your energy bills to increase, and it’s a time-waster. Many people don’t have a few extra minutes in the morning to let the water run for a while; therefore, it’s best to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair.
Fortunately, a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can resolve the problem by installing a recirculating pump that will prevent a cold water sandwich. - The unit has been pushed to the limit: The great thing about tankless units is that they provide hot water on demand; however, the unit has its limits. If you shower when the dishwasher or washing machine runs and someone is using the sink, the unit will reach its limit, and you won’t have hot water for your shower.
You can figure out if this is the problem by asking your family to avoid using hot water while you’re in the shower. If this solves the problem, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair, and they can discuss the options that can solve the problem. First, the plumber can install another unit in line with the existing unit, or you can upgrade to a more powerful water heater. If you’re worried that your family will continue using hot water when you are in the shower, these are your best options. - Problems with the breakers: If the electrical circuit trips the unit will shut down and cannot heat the water. There could also be an issue with the reset buttons, the power supply line, or loose wires.
You will need a professional in tankless water heater repair to identify the problem so it can be resolved. - Faulty flow sensor: The tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home has a flow sensor designed to detect incoming cold water and ignites the unit to heat the water.
A professional in tankless water heater repair can replace the flow sensor, preventing the unit from shutting down.
Nobody wants to take frequent cold showers, and multiple issues can cause the unit to shut down; therefore, it’s best to have a professional specializing in tankless water heater repair solve the problem.
#5 Leaks
Any leak in your home is upsetting because water damage and mold growth can occur. If you see water pooling below the unit, it’s best to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair as soon as possible.
Fortunately, a leaking tankless unit won’t be as damaging as a leak in a traditional tank unit because tank water heaters store 50+ gallons of water, causing a significant flood when it leaks. Tankless units don’t store water so a flood won’t occur; however, you should still call a plumber specializing in water heater repair. There could be a loose or broken valve in the unit that should be repaired right away to prevent minor water damage and mold growth under the unit, and you can be sure the unit will function correctly when the repair is complete.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio Today
If the tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home isn’t functioning properly, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing service specializing in tankless water heater installation and maintenance.
Our plumbers have undergone thousands of hours of training and have the knowledge, experience and skill to handle any plumbing repair. If you have plumbing that cannot wait until we have an opening available, or the problem occurs outside our regular business hours, we provide emergency service. We will get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the issue.
We are members of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. In addition, we are a Google Guaranteed business with a 5-star rating and have close to 1,600 positive reviews on our website. Home Advisor recognized our excellent service and lists us as an Elite and Top Rated service.
To schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us a call today.
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