8 Signs You Need Tankless Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
There are a lot of reasons why homeowners opt for tankless water heater repair, one of which is the fact that they don’t tend to need repair as much. Traditional tanks carry a large amount of water all of the time which can lead to sediment build-up and eventually rust. On the other hand, tankless water heaters don’t store water, but instead, heat it on demand. The end result is that tankless water heater repair is something you don’t have to worry about in San Antonio, TX. With this in mind, however, it is important to remember that sometimes tankless water heater repair is needed, so you need to know the signs.
Tankless water heaters are extremely durable and space-conscious, two things that make them immediately attractive, but they are also two things that make them easy to forget about. However, just because your water heater is tucked away in your basement doesn’t mean that it may not need attention from time to time. With that in mind, take a minute to look over this guide and familiarize yourself with the top signs that you need tankless water heater repair.
If you recognize any of these signs or are worried that your water heater is exhibiting these signs then you should call a plumber right away. Sometimes it is an emergency, but most of the time if you act quickly and get a plumber into your home for tankless water heater repair the outcome won’t be too bad. Like most things, quick repair is the number one way to elongate the lifespan of your tankless water heater. Therefore, bookmark this page and keep it handy for any time that you need to reference the most common signs that you need tankless water heater repair.
No Hot Water in Your House
The very first sign that you may need tankless water heater repair is if there is no hot water in your home. This is usually a very obvious sign, but some people mistakenly attribute it to other problems. Usually however if you have constant water flow but no hot water the problem is associated with your water heater. There are a number of reasons why your water heater may stop working including but not limited to a problem with the coils or the starter.
A lot of times the thermostat on your tankless water heater can be misreading the temperature of the water which can be corrected with tankless water heater repair. Other times it may be the heater of the ignitor. Something as simple as a small leak on your water heater can be enough to cause your hot water quality to suffer. With all of these potential issues, it is important you call a plumber to get to the bottom of the issue quickly. After all, you don’t want to live without hot water for too long, and that is what will happen if you don’t seek help from a trusted professional.
The one thing to keep in mind is that a tankless water heater can only supply so much water on-demand at one time. Therefore, if you are noticing that you only run out of hot water at times when water usage is high, then it may be a case of overtaxing your water heater versus actually needing water heater repair in San Antonio, TX. You may be able to fix the problem by spacing our showers or taking care not to run a load of laundry while washing the dishes etc.
Multiple Appliances Are Not Working Well
Speaking of the appliances in your home, it is important to remember that many of your household appliances depend on hot water as well. In fact, they need hot water to work properly because without hot water your dishwasher will be unable to sanitize your dishes and your laundry machine will not be able to get the stains off of your clothes. If you have fairly dependable appliances in your home and you start to notice that they are not working as well as they usually do, this is a clear sign that it may be time for tankless water heater repair.
It is not likely that multiple appliances are breaking down at the same time within your home (although it is always possible). It is more likely that the hot water supply is not consistent with these appliances which are leading to problems with the way they perform. If you tune up your tankless water heater in San Antonio, TX you may be surprised to see that your appliances return to their previous levels of functioning which all homeowners can appreciate.
Water Heater Is Shutting Itself Off
Another clear sign that it is time for tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX is if your water heater starts turning itself off. Ideally, your water heater should sit dormant while it is not in use, but should instantly spring to life the minute someone turns on a hot water tap in your home. If you find that your water heater is completely turning itself off either in the middle of a hot water demand or while sitting dormant then you have a bigger issue that may require tankless water heater repair.
There are usually two reasons why this is happening, the first of which is because the filter is clogged. A tankless water heater is capable of producing a large amount of heat, which in turn creates very hot exhaust that needs to be vented somewhere immediately. If this is not happening the exhaust will overpower your water heater and cause it to break down. Some tankless water heaters also have a built-in automatic shut-off if this happens to prevent the heat from combusting.
The other reason why your water heater may be turning itself off may be due to an electrical wiring issue. Like any other appliance in your home, in order to work your water heater must be hooked up to a reliable electrical source. Frayed or damaged wires can lead to a short circuit which will result in the system automatically shutting itself off. It can also lead to circuit tripping, which is another clear and closely associated sign that you need to call a plumber to your San Antonio, TX home for tankless water heater repair.
Water Has an Odd Color
Not quite sure whether your tankless water heater is not working correctly? It may be time to take a closer look at your actual water to get a sign that it is time for tankless water heater repair. Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters do not have a reservoir which means that there should not be any rust or sediment build-up. Therefore, if you start noticing that your water has an odd color or hue to it, you should be concerned. This can be a sign that something is rusting inside of your tankless water heater which should be investigated by someone skilled at tankless water heater repair. Once again, this is less likely to happen with a tankless system, but if you have heavy water it is always a possibility.
At any rate, if your water has a strange color to it you should never drink it, regardless of how tempting it may be to just ignore the hue. The colored hue indicates that there is something unnatural in your water, and until you sort out what it is, it is best to find an alternative water source. Keep in mind that if you notice the hue in both your cold and hot water supply then there is more likely something wrong with the water coming into your home in which case you will need to talk to the city or municipal water supply plant. If you find there are no issues with that, then it is time to contact a plumber for tankless water heater repair.
Odd Noises Coming from Your Water Heater
It is not uncommon to hear a gentle humming or clicking noise coming from your tankless water heater as it turns off and on. In fact, there is no need to worry if you notice any clicking because it is likely just your system kicking in and out based on when you need hot water. If you have had a tankless water heater for a while you are probably already used to the sound and don’t even notice when it happens anymore.
However, if you start to notice new noises such as screeching, knocking, whistling, or popping then there is something wrong with your heater and it is time to call around for tankless water heater repair. Your tankless water heater should not make any sound at all, so the very fact that it is making noise is very concerning. It is possible that the water heater is not channeling energy correctly or something is obstructing the flow of water inside. Either way, you want to get to the bottom of the situation before any serious harm is caused. If you act quickly usually it’s a simple tankless water heater repair and your basement will once again be quiet.
Water Doesn’t Taste Right
Similar to our above point about water not looking right, there is no reservoir in your system so it shouldn’t be an issue. However, sometimes things can go wrong that can cause your water to have a slightly different taste. You should always explore why your water is tasting different, and oftentimes the best place to start is with a plumber. You may not need tankless water repair but you might need to have your home plumbing repaired. At any rate, you should never drink water that has an odd taste to it and the quicker you get the cause figured out the quicker you can go back to living in comfort at home.
Drop in Water Pressure in Your Home
Another big indicator that something is going on with your tankless water heater is if you notice that there is a sudden drop in the water pressure inside of your home. There are a lot of things that can cause a drop in water pressure around your home, and not all of them have to do with your tankless water heater. However, there is one quick test that can help you figure out whether or not the problem could be associated with tankless water heater repair.
Simply turn on your hot tap for water and look for signs that the water pressure is going in and out. Then turn on your cold water tap and see if you notice the same signs. If the signs are present in both your hot and cold water taps then there is probably another factor at play, but if you notice that the low water pressure only occurs when you are running the hot water then your tankless water heater is likely to blame. Instead of dealing with the drops in water pressure, have a plumber come out to your San Antonio, TX home. Water pressure influences how enjoyable a lot of bathing and cleaning experiences are, so it is certainly something that is worth investigating.
You Spot Leaks Near Your Water Heater
Finally, while a tankless water heater is less likely to leak, it still can spring a leak. You won’t see a massive flow of water the way you will with a traditional tank, but you will notice a slow drip that speeds up when the hot water is in use. Leaks are usually caused because of an issue with a fitting or a loose valve. Keep in mind that it only takes a bit of water to cause humidity and mold so this is something you want to keep an eye on to prevent future problems from arising.
Are you worried that you may need tankless water heater repair within your San Antonio, TX home? bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio can help. Give us a call and let us know what is going on with your tankless water heater and we will schedule one of our technicians to come to take a closer look.
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