6 Signs It’s Time To Schedule An Appointment For Tankless Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
Today, many homeowners are replacing their traditional tank water heaters with tankless water heaters. You can get a few benefits from a tankless water heater that you can’t get from a conventional unit.
- Lower your energy costs: Traditional tank water heaters store hot water, so it is ready for use; therefore, it has to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tankless water heaters are also known as on-demand water heaters because they produce hot water only when you need it, and it doesn’t have to run constantly. The water heater will only kick on when someone turns on the hot water, saving money on your energy bills.
- Longer lifespan: The average lifespan of a traditional tank water heater is 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of a tankless water heater is about 20 years. Tankless units are more expensive than traditional units; however, tankless units are worth the extra cost because they can last longer than traditional units.
- An endless supply of hot water: If you have a large family and run out of hot water frequently, a tankless water heater could be the solution to your problem. When your traditional tank water heater empties, you won’t have hot water until it is refilled and heated again. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand; therefore, you will have an endless supply of hot water.
- Saves space: Traditional water heaters hold 50 or more gallons of water and can take up a lot of space. Tankless water heaters are much smaller and can be hung on the wall in your basement or a closet, freeing up a good deal of floor space.
- Less risk of water damage: Traditional water heaters store 50+ gallons of water, depending on the size of the tank. If the tank leaks or the unit fails, the water stored could flood your home, resulting in significant water damage and mold growth. Tankless water heaters don’t hold water; therefore, your house won’t flood.
If you recently replaced your traditional tank water heater with a tankless model, it is essential that you can detect signs that the unit isn’t functioning correctly. The longer the problem persists, further damage can occur, resulting in a more expensive plumbing bill.
If the tankless unit in your San Antonio, TX home experiences any of the following issues, you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair right away.
#1 No Hot Water
You rely on hot water for many household tasks throughout the day. If you turn on the hot water and it comes out cold, regardless of how long you let it run, you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. Your tankless unit doesn’t store hot water; therefore, you can’t assume you have run out of hot water and should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair.
Before you make the call, you should check a few things first. If you have an electric tankless unit, make sure the power hasn’t been disrupted due to a tripped circuit. If the unit runs on propane, check the tank to ensure there is an adequate amount of fuel. Finally, if your unit’s fuel source is natural gas, check your bank records to ensure your service hasn’t been interrupted due to nonpayment. If your bills have been paid, check with a neighbor or the gas company to rule out a widespread outage. If everything checks out, you should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair.
Several issues can cause this problem, including:
- An issue with the flow sensor
- Excess debris has built up on the filter.
- The lines are corroded.
- There is an issue with the heat exchanger.
- A problem with the venting pipes
- A problem with the fuel line
Because so many issues can cause this one problem, you will need a professional in tankless water heaters. A plumber can inspect the unit to figure out why you don’t have hot water, so they can make the repair, restoring your hot water. The longer you wait to call a professional, the longer it will be until your hot water is restored.
#2 The Unit Shuts Down On Its Own
The tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home should continue to run unless you shut it off. If the unit is shutting down on its own, you may need to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair.
If you want to avoid an unnecessary service call, there are a few things you should check before making the call. First, make sure a circuit hasn’t tripped, and there is power going to the unit. Next, if your tankless unit relies on gas or propane, make sure there isn’t an issue with the fuel source. Finally, turn on the water to ensure your service hasn’t been terminated and to rule out a widespread water outage. If there is no water going to the unit, it will shut itself down.
If everything checks out, it is time to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. A few different issues can cause this problem, including:
- Wiring issue: A loose wire or a short in the wiring can cause the unit to shut down, which can be a dangerous job; therefore, it is best to call a professional.
- Clogged filter: Your tankless water heater creates hot exhaust ventilated through the filter. If the filter is clogged, there will be no ventilation, which can cause the unit to overheat and shut down.
- Faulty temperature sensor: Your tankless water heater has a temperature sensor that registers the water temperature. If the sensor is defective, the heater temperature can exceed the thermostat setting, causing the unit to shut down.
You need hot water many times throughout the day, so it can affect your daily life if the unit keeps shutting down. A tankless water heater repair professional can inspect the unit to figure out what is causing it to shut down and make the necessary repair.
#3 An Unusual Smell Near Your Tankless Water Heater
Do you smell something unusual when you stand near the tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home? If so, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
A few issues can cause this problem, and you will need a professional to determine which potential problem is causing the smell.
Over time, rust and minerals can build up in the unit, creating a foul metallic smell. Although leaks in tankless water heaters are rare, it can happen occasionally. If the unit is leaking, it can cause water damage and mold growth, creating a moldy odor around the unit. This can be a serious problem because the mold can cause health issues, such as allergy symptoms, asthma, skin rashes, fatigue, and headaches. In addition, mold exposure can affect your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off disease and infection.
A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can inspect the unit and the area around it to figure out what is causing the small to make the necessary repair.
#4 Reduced Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential for many daily tasks in your San Antonio, TX home. For example, poor water pressure can make rinsing shampoo from your hair and doing the dishes take longer than necessary. 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 lies with the plumbing system. If just the hot water pressure is inadequate, the problem lies with your water heater, and you should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair.
Before making the call, check to see where the hot water is being used. If someone is in the shower and the washing machine and dishwasher are running, you are using too many fixtures at once, which will cause reduced water pressure. Reducing the hot water demand should solve the problem, saving you the time for an unnecessary service call.
If the problem isn’t due to your hot water demand, you should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. Over time, minerals can build up in the pipes leading to the water heater, resulting in low pressure. There could also be a clog in the pipes around the unit, which will prevent the water from flowing to the water heater, causing poor water pressure.
A professional in tankless water heater repair can inspect the plumbing around the unit, allowing them to restore the water pressure.
#5 Strange Noises
It is normal to hear a low-level clicking when someone turns on the hot water in your San Antonio, TX home. If you hear any other sounds coming from the unit, you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. The sound the unit makes can give the plumber an idea of what is causing the problem.
- Vibration: A loud vibrating sound when no hot water is used; a vacuum could be siphoning the water away from the unit. A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can install a check valve in the waterline, solving the problem. This issue could also be due to a dirty flow sensor, which controls how much fuel is sent to the unit. Finally, poor ventilation or a defective pressure valve can cause this sound.
- Humming: A humming sound indicates a loose heating element, which isn’t an emergent issue, but you should still schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. They can tighten up the heating element, and the humming sound will stop.
- Hammering: Plumbers refer to the hammering sound as “water hammering.” This occurs when the mounted pipes hit the wall. This often happens if the pipes aren’t anchored securely, and the water pressure causes them to slam against the wall or studs. This sound can also occur when the hot water is turned on and off abruptly. Although this isn’t an emergent issue, you should have a plumber specializing in water heater repair fix the problem to prevent future damage.
- Hissing: This sound often indicates a leak in the water heater or the pipes leading to it, which should be fixed immediately. Allowing the problem to persist can result in significant water damage and mold growth; therefore, you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair.
- Screeching: A screeching sound is often due to a valve that cannot open all the way. A plumber can replace the valve, so it opens up completely, eliminating the hissing sound.
- Ticking: A ticking sound doesn’t necessarily indicate an issue with your tankless unit. When water heats and cools in the pipes, it can produce a ticking sound. If the sound bothers you, a plumber can replace the heat trap with a dielectric nipple, which could solve the problem. However, there could be an issue with the tankless unit in your San Antonio, TX home, and you may need to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. There could be an issue with the valve, which allows the water to flow in the right direction. A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can inspect the unit to find the source of the ticking so that the problem can be resolved.
If your tankless water heater starts making any strange sounds, it is best to call a plumber right away. Ignoring certain issues can result in further damage and a more expensive plumbing bill.
#6 Leaks
Although leaks in tankless water heaters are rare, they can occur if a valve or fitting in the unit is loose. This is an emergent issue because the leaking water can cause water damage and mold growth.
A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can repair or replace the valve or fitting, and the leaking will stop.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of San Antonio?
If the tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home isn’t functioning correctly, call bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company and are experts in tankless water heater repair, installation, and maintenance.
We are a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. In addition, we have an excellent reputation in the community and have a 5-star rating on Google.
To schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair or any service we provide, give us a call or book online.
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