8 Signs That You Should Call A Plumber Specializing In Tankless Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
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Tankless water heaters are an excellent alternative to traditional tank water heaters. Traditional water heaters contain a large tank that holds between 40 to 120 gallons of water. The water heater constantly runs to keep the water in the tank hot, so you have hot water when you need it.
Tankless water heaters don’t have a tank. The water heater turns on only when you turn on the hot water. Because tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, you don’t need to worry about running out of hot water. In addition, because tankless water heaters don’t have to run constantly, you can save a significant amount of money on your energy bill. Finally, tankless water heaters are a fraction of the size of a water heater; therefore, they don’t take up much space. Tankless water heaters are small enough to fit into a closet.
If you have a tankless water heater in your San Antonio, TX home, you know that they require less maintenance than traditional water heaters, which is one of the major selling points. However, tankless water heaters can malfunction, and it is essential that you can detect the problem early so that you can schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair.
If your tankless water heater isn’t functioning properly, simple household tasks like taking a hot shower and cleaning your house will be impossible. In addition, your appliances that require hot water, such as your washing machine and dishwasher, won’t function properly, which can make your life difficult.
If your water heater is experiencing any of the issues below, it is best to call a professional immediately. If you ignore the issue or wait too long to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair, a minor issue that is simple and inexpensive to fix can become a major issue, resulting in an expensive repair bill.
#1 No Hot Water
If you aren’t getting hot water from the faucets and showerheads in your home, you may need to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heaters and their repair. Before you make the call, check to see where hot water is being used. For example, if you try to wash your hands while someone is in the shower and the dishwasher and washing machine are running, you may have pushed the tankless water heater to its limit. If you turn off an appliance or turn off the shower, the issue will resolve itself, and you can wash your hands. In addition, you will now have an idea of how much your tankless water heater can handle.
If you aren’t trying to use too much hot water, there are a few other things you should check before scheduling an appointment for tankless water heater repair.
- If you have a gas tankless water heater, make sure your gas bill has been paid. Without a steady gas supply, your tankless water heater won’t heat the water.
- Check the water heater vent to ensure it isn’t obstructed. Most vents are located on the roof, and you should be very careful.
- Make sure that the gas valve feeding the tankless water heater is switched to the ON position rather than the OFF position.
If everything checks out and you still have no hot water, it is time to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. There are a few issues that could be causing the problem. These include:
- A clogged heat exchanger due to hard water.
- A blocked vent
- The air intake is blocked.
- If you have a gas tankless water heater, gas supply issues could be causing the problem.
- Faulty ignitor
- Faulty flame rod
- Dirty burners
It is best to schedule an appointment with a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair when you first discover the issue because you won’t have hot water until the issue is repaired.
#2 You Are Dealing With a “Cold Water Sandwich”
A cold water sandwich is a relatively common issue. It occurs when you turn on the hot water, and it runs hot, then cold, then hot again. The initial blast of water comes from hot water left in the faucet or showerhead from the last time you ran the hot water. When this small supply runs out, the water can get cold while the exchanger warms up to start heating the water. When the exchanger heats up enough, you will get a steady flow of water.
Some San Antonio, TX homeowners are willing to wait for the tankless water heater to provide a steady stream of hot water; however, a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can help if you find this annoying and inconvenient.
You can have a mini-tank water heater installed, which will provide a steady stream of hot water while the heat exchanger is warming up. A mini tank water heater will prevent a cold water sandwich, and there will be no wait time before you get a steady, consistent stream of hot water.
#3 The Tankless Water Heater Shuts Off When the Hot Water Is Running
If the tankless water heater in your home shuts off while you are taking a shower or washing the dishes, you should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair.
If your tankless water heater is over 10 years old, the minimum flow rate could be too high. All tankless water heaters have a minimum flow rate, which is the amount of the tankless water heater needs flowing through it per minute to produce a steady stream of hot water.
If the amount of water you need is lower than the minimum flow rate, the system will shut itself off to prevent overheating, burns, and damage to the heat exchanger.
If this is the problem, you can call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair to have your unit upgraded. Older tankless water heaters have a minimum flow of around 3/4gpm, while newer models have a lower minimum flow rate of around 1/4gpm.
If you don’t have an older tankless water heater and the minimum flow rate is not the issue, the system’s filter could be clogged. When your tankless water heater is running, it creates a very hot exhaust. If there isn’t proper ventilation, the unit will break down, and you will need to schedule an appointment for a repair.
The sooner you call a professional in water heater repair, the sooner your shower will stay hot from start to finish.
#4 Strange Sounds Coming From the Tankless Water Heater
When you turn on the hot water in your San Antonio, TX home, it is not uncommon to hear a low-level clicking sound. If you hear any other sounds, you should call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. There are a few issues that can create noise, and you will need a professional to find the source.
- Water is being pulled away from the tankless water heater: Loud noise and vibration when the water heater isn’t running means there could be a vacuum siphoning water away from the tankless water heater. A plumber specializing in water heater repair can resolve the issue by installing a check valve in the waterline.
- Dirty flow sensor: The flow sensor control the amount of gas sent to the unit. If the sensor is dirty, it will cause strange sounds.
- Blocked or poor ventilation.
- The pressure valve is not set properly, or it is defective.
Because there are multiple issues that can cause your tankless water to make noise, you should leave the diagnosis and repair to a professional in tankless water heater repair.
#5 Certain Appliances Aren’t Functioning Properly
If you notice that the washing machine and dishwasher in your San Antonio, TX home aren’t functioning properly, you may not need to call an appliance repair company. Instead, you may need to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair.
These appliances need access to hot water if they are going to function at peak performance. If the appliances aren’t getting enough hot water, you will have issues.
It is best to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair as soon as the appliances stop functioning properly. A plumber can inspect the tankless water heater to figure out why the appliances aren’t getting enough hot water so that the issue can be repaired.
#6 Leaky Tankless Water Heater
If you notice moisture or water pooling around your tankless water heater, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair. Although it is rare for a tankless water heater to leak, a loose-fitting or a loose valve could be causing the problem.
If you ignore the problem, the moisture and water can cause water damage around the water heater and can promote mold growth. The best way to prevent these issues is to schedule an appointment with a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
#7 Ignition Failure
There are a few different issues that could be the reason your tankless water heater is failing to ignite. It will take the knowledge and experience of a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair to figure out what is causing the problem. The most common issues include:
- The gas is flowing to the tankless water heater properly
- Your propane tank is empty, or there is no gas coming into your San Antonio, TX home
- The gas or water valve isn’t open
Your tankless water heater is a complex unit; therefore, an ignition failure should only be repaired by a professional in tankless water heater repair.
#8 Flame Failure
The most common causes of a flame failure are issues with the gas pressure or an electrical issue. Before you schedule an appointment or tankless water heater repair, you should check if you are low on propane or that your gas bill has been paid.
If everything checks out, you should schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair. There are a few issues that could be causing the problem.
- The gas line is too small.
- The regulator has failed.
- Combustion issues
- Problems with the vents
Diagnosing and repairing flame failure isn’t easy and is not a DIY job. It is best to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heaters.
Why Choose Bluefrog Plumbing & Drain Of San Antonio?
If you need to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair and want to work with the best in the business, schedule an appointment with Bluefrog Plumbing & Drain Of San Antonio. Not every plumber has experience with tankless water heater maintenance, repair, and installation, but we do. Our plumbers are highly knowledgeable when it comes to tankless water heaters and can handle any issue you have.
Over the years, we have earned an excellent reputation in the community and the industry, thanks to our excellent service. We are a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We have an excellent rating on Google, and we are Google Guaranteed. This guarantee is only given to professionals who are licensed, insured and have been pre-screened. In addition, Home Advisor has named up an Elite Service and a Top Rating company.
When you call us for tankless water heater repair or any other plumbing service, we won’t charge you a trip charge or overtime charges.
We have been in the plumbing industry long enough to know that plumbing issues can arise at the most inconvenient times and not always during regular business hours. This is why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have an issue when our office is closed, we will do our best to get a plumber to your San Antonio, TX home as quickly as we would if you had called during regular business hours.
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.
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