7 Signs You Need To Schedule An Appointment For Tankless Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX

12/14/2021

Photo By Minerva Studio at Shutterstock

When water comes into your home from the city water supply or a well, it isn’t hot. Your water heater heats the water that comes from the hot water tap. Traditional tank water heaters heat and store the water in a 50+ gallon water tank, so it is ready for use. Tankless water heaters work differently, and these units don’t have a tank that stores the water. Instead, the water heats up only when you turn on the hot water.

Tankless water heaters have benefits you cannot get from a traditional tank water heater, including:

• On-demand hot water: Traditional tank water heaters store 50+ gallons of hot water, depending on the size of your water tank. If a few family members shower before you and the washing machine is running, there may not be any water left when it is your turn to shower. When this happens, you will need to wait to take a shower until the water heater refills. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, so you won’t have to worry about running out, making tankless units an excellent idea for big families.

 

• Save money on your energy bills: Traditional tank water heaters heat and store water, so you have hot water when you need it. The unit needs to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to keep your water supply hot, resulting in high energy bills. Tankless units don’t need to run all day as traditional tank units do; therefore, you can save money on your energy bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a tankless water heater can save an average of $108 a year.

 

• Space saver: Traditional tank water heaters are very large. They have to be because they need to store 50+ gallons of hot water, so it’s available when you need it. Tankless water heaters are much smaller than traditional units because they don’t need to store water. They are small enough to mount on the basement wall or the wall in a closet. This is great, especially if your Fort Worth, TX home is small or you don’t have a basement.

 

• Longer lifespan: The average lifespan of a traditional tank water heater is between 8 and 12 years. When the unit reaches the maximum lifespan, it will need to be replaced. The lifespan of a tankless unit is 20 years, which is twice as long as a traditional unit.

 

• Low maintenance: Traditional tank water heaters require regular maintenance to e3nsure the unit functions efficiently. In addition, the tank should be flushed regularly to flush any sediment that has built up in the tank before it gets so severe that it cannot be flushed, and you will need to replace the unit. Tankless units require less maintenance than tank water heaters because they don’t store water. You will need to maintain your tankless unit; however, maintenance is necessary less often.

The one thing that a tankless water heater has in common with traditional tank units is issues can arise that need to be repaired.

If the tankless unit in San Antonio, TX home is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair right away. The longer you wait, the more damage can occur, and the repair bill will cost more.

#1 Warning Message

The warning message on the display window is the most obvious sign you need to call a tankless water heater repair specialist. Most tankless units use numbers to signify the error. You can go online or check your owner’s manual to figure out what the error code means; however, knowing what the error code means doesn’t qualify you to make the repair. You will need to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heaters to ensure the error code isn’t popping up in error, which is rare but can happen. When they determine the error code wasn’t a fluke, the plumber will make the necessary repair.

There is a reason for the warning display, and ignoring it will result in a more serious issue that cannot be ignored. It is best to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair as soon as the warning message is displayed.

#2 You Have No Hot Water

Another obvious sign you need to call a professional in tankless water heater repair is if cold water is coming from the hot water tap. Unlike traditional tank water heaters, the tankless water heater in your Fort Worth, TX home is designed to produce hot water instantly and on-demand; therefore, the issue can’t be that you have run out of hot water, and there is an issue with the tankless water heater. If the water comes out cold, you should call a tankless water heater repair specialist.

A lack of hot water can occur if the unit’s heating element isn’t working correctly. If the heating element is faulty, the water won’t heat up when you turn on the hot water tap, which needs to be repaired right away. There could also be an issue with the fuel source. If your tankless unit isn’t getting an adequate amount of fuel or electricity, it won’t be able to heat the water properly. If you have no hot water, you will need a plumber to figure out what is preventing the unit from producing hot water so the necessary repair can be made. The sooner you make the call; the sooner hot water will flow from the taps in your San Antonio, TX home again.

#3 The Unit Shuts Off On Its Own

The tankless water heater in your Fort Worth, TX home is designed to kick on when you turn on the hot water and then kick off when you turn off the hot water. If your unit shuts itself off when the hot water tap is still on, you should call a tankless water heater repair specialist.

The most common cause of this problem is a clogged filter. Your tankless unit produces hot exhaust. If it cannot ventilate properly, the system will shut down to keep from overheating. This is a safety feature to prevent the system from breaking down completely.

A tankless water heater repair specialist can inspect the unit and change the filter if necessary, which should allow your tankless unit to continue to run as long as you need hot water.

#4 Unusual Sounds

Traditional tank water heaters are whisper quiet when they run. Any strange sounds indicate an issue. The tankless unit in your Fort Worth, TX home isn’t going to be whisper quiet. It is normal to hear a clicking noise when someone turns on the hot water; however, any other sounds indicate a problem that should be checked by a professional in water heater repair.

There are a few issues that can cause strange sounds, including:

• Humming: This sound indicates a loose heating element. When the water flows around the heating element, it can make a humming sound. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy repair. A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can tighten up the heating element, stopping the humming sound.

 

• Hammering: Plumbers specializing in water heater repair call the hammering sound “water hammering.” This sound occurs when the pipes aren’t anchored securely and slam against the wall or studs when the water is turned on and off. It can also happen when you flush the toilet. Although this isn’t an emergent issue, you still need to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. The longer you wait to make the call, the chance of further damage increases.

 

• Hissing indicates a leak in the water heater or a pipe leading to it. It is best to call a plumber right away to find the cause of the problem. If your tankless unit is old, it may need to be replaced.

 

• Screeching: This sound indicates an issue with the water valve. If the valve doesn’t open all the way, causing increased pressure, which causes the screeching sound. A DIY repair can result in a severe steam burn; therefore, it is best to leave the job to a tankless water heater repair specialist.

 

• Ticking: This sound can come from the heat traps or check valves. This doesn’t indicate a serious issue; however, if the ticking sound is driving you crazy, a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can replace the heat trap with a dielectric nipple that could quiet stop the ticking sound.

Ignoring any strange sounds will only cause more issues with a more expensive price tag; therefore, it is best to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair.

#5 The Unit Is Leaking

It is rare for a tankless water heater to leak; however, it can happen, and you should call a tankless water heater repair specialist. A leak can occur if there is a loose valve or fitting. While a tankless unit won’t leak as much water as a traditional unit, a leak is still a cause for concern. The water dripping can cause water damage and mold growth around the unit. Water damage can be expensive to repair, and it can also be costly and challenging to eradicate the mold.

It is best to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair right away to avoid further problems.

#6 Inconsistent Hot Water

The whole point of a tankless water heater is that you always have hot water when you need it, and you don’t have to wait. If your unit isn’t providing hot water consistently, you should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. If you have inconsistent hot water and poor water pressure, it indicates a more serious issue that may require a replacement.

#7 The Hot Water Doesn’t Taste Right

If the hot water coming from the taps in your Fort Worth, TX home doesn’t taste right, you should call a tankless water heater repair specialist. If there is iron in the water heater, it can cause it to taste strange. Water with high iron levels can be unsafe for consumption; therefore, it is best to call a plumber. They can inspect the water heater to determine if it is with the tankless unit or the water itself.

Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio?

Not all plumbers are familiar with tankless water heaters; therefore, if you need to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio.

We are a full-service plumbing company, and our plumbers are tankless water heater repair experts.

We have been serving customers in the area for years and always provide friendly, professional service. Our plumbers are professionally trained, skilled, and highly qualified and can handle any plumbing issue, regardless of how complex the repair may be.

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 a 5-star rating on Google and are a Google Guaranteed business. Also, Home Advisor lists us as an Elite Service and a Top Rated business, which should tell you that we can handle any job you have.

We provide a variety of plumbing services, including:

• Plumbing repairs
• Drain cleaning service
• Leak detection
• Tank and tankless water heater repair, installation, and maintenance
• Water filtration system installation
• Water and sewer line cleaning, repair, and replacement
• Plumbing fixture installation and repair

We have been in the business long enough to know that plumbing issues can arise at any time, and some are more urgent than others. This is why we offer emergency service. If you have a pressing issue or something goes wrong, and we aren’t in the office, we are still here for your 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will do our best to get a plumber to your home before the plumbing issue starts interfering with your everyday life.

To schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio a call today.