Tankless Water Heater Issues? Call A Professional In Tankless Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
Tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular over the years due to the benefits they provide that you cannot get from a traditional tank water heater, including:
- Tankless units only kick on when someone runs the hot water and are more energy-efficient than tank units that must run all day to keep 40+ gallons of water hot. You can save a significant amount of money on your energy bills by installing a tankless model.
- Tankless models provide hot water on demand, so you won’t have to worry about running out the way you do with a tank model when using too much hot water depletes the supply.
- Tankless models are the size of a small suitcase and can be hung on an interior or exterior wall, saving space in your house, while tank models must be large to store the hot water supply.
- Tankless units can last 20 years, while a tank model has a lifespan of seven to ten years. Tankless models are more expensive to buy and install, but you’ll need to replace it just once in 20 years, making a tankless model a cost-effective option.
- Tankless models don’t store water like tank models, eliminating the risk of a flood.
- Tankless water heaters require less maintenance than tank models.
If your tankless water heater is the first of this type you’ve ever installed, it’s essential to understand that the signs the unit needs to be repaired are different from when a tank water heater needs repair. It’s necessary to detect issues early to prevent further problems with a more expensive repair bill.
If your unit experiences any of the following problems, hiring a tankless water heater repair professional in San Antonio, TX is best.
#1 You Have No Hot Water
Your tankless water heater’s sole purpose is to heat the water when the hot water tap is turned on. If you turn on the hot water and it’s cold, you should first check the fuel supply. If you have an electric water heater, make sure a circuit hasn’t tripped, and there’s power going to the unit. If your tankless unit runs on propane or oil, make sure there’s an adequate amount of fuel in the tank. Finally, if your unit runs on natural gas, call the gas company to ensure your service hasn’t been terminated and to rule out an outage. If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. A few issues can prevent the unit from heating the water, and you’ll need a professional to find the cause so they can fix it.
- Sediment buildup: Sediment can build up in the unit over time, affecting how the unit performs and can prevent it from heating the water. A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX will inspect the unit to determine if sediment is the cause and descale the unit, allowing the unit to heat the water. They will also recommend descaling the unit regularly to prevent this from happening again.
- Too many fixtures are in use: The water won’t heat up if too many fixtures are used simultaneously. For example, if you shower in one bathroom and a family member is showering in another while someone is washing the dishes, it will overload the unit, preventing it from heating the water. If the problem doesn’t resolve itself when some fixtures are turned off, it’s time to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX. The unit may have shut down completely when it is overloaded, or it may not be big enough to provide enough hot water, and a plumber can find the cause and make the necessary repair. It’s best to make the call immediately because the longer you wait, the longer you’ll be without hot water.
- The air supply or exhaust is blocked: When the exhaust or air supply is blocked, the unit will shut down to protect the unit from damage. This can occur if a vent pipe has a hole or is disconnected or the unit was installed too close to another appliance or object.
- A plumber can inspect the unit to determine why the air supply or exhaust is blocked to resolve the problem and restore the hot water.
- Failed ignition: An ignition failure can prevent the unit from heating the water, and the unit will show an error message. The ignition can fail due to a supply issue, such as a lack of fuel or the gas valves aren’t open. It can also be due to an electrical problem that could start an electrical fire, and it’s best to hire a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX immediately.
- They will inspect the unit to determine what’s causing the error message and resolve the issue to restore the hot water.
- Flame failure: Flame failure is another common reason you don’t have hot water, and a few issues can cause a flame failure, such as an issue with the gas line, the electrical wiring, or venting.
- A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair will inspect the unit to figure out why there’s a flame failure and make the necessary repair.
You rely on hot water many times during the day to perform daily household tasks, so it’s best to call a plumber as soon as the problem starts.
#2 Discolored Water
Your tankless water heater should produce clean, clear hot water. If the water coming from the taps is brown or yellow, it’s time to call a plumber specializing in tankless water repair.
The most common cause is sediment buildup. When there’s a significant amount of buildup, it will contaminate the water. It isn’t safe to use contaminated water, so it’s best to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX immediately. They can descale the unit to eliminate the sediment, and the water coming from the taps will be clean and safe for your family to use.
#3 Smelly Hot Water
The water coming from the hot water taps should be odorless. If the water has an odor, it’s best to immediately call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. The smell can give the plumber an idea of what’s going on.
A metallic smell indicates mineral buildup or corrosion that can affect the water’s color. If you smell a musty or rotting smell, there’s likely a leak, which should be addressed immediately. Although leaks are uncommon in tankless water heaters, they occur occasionally and must be fixed immediately. When the plumber fixes the leak, you should hire a professional to fix any water damage and eradicate the mold caused by the leak. This is essential in preventing your family from developing allergy symptoms or other conditions such as chronic headaches, skin rashes, eye irritation, and respiratory issues.
Calling a plumber quickly is essential to avoid significant damage that can be expensive to repair.
#4 The Unit Shuts Off on Its Own
Does your water heater keep shutting off on its own? If so, hiring a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair is best. A few issues can cause the unit to shut down on its own, and you’ll need a licensed plumber to find the cause.
The unit can shut down if its filter is blocked or creates hot exhaustion and isn’t properly ventilated.
A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX will inspect the unit to determine why it keeps shutting down to restore the hot water.
#5 The Unit Is Leaking
A tankless water heater leak won’t flood your home the way a tank model would, but it can still cause damage. If there’s water on the floor below the unit, it’s best to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. Leaks in tankless models are rare and often occur due to a loose fitting.
Hiring a professional is essential to avoid wasting more water and prevent further water damage and mold growth.
#6 Strange Noises
It’s normal for your tankless unit to make a faint clicking sound, and any other sounds require a call to a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. The sound the unit makes can help the plumber determine the cause.
- Humming; A humming sound indicates a loose heating element, and the water flowing around it causes a vibration, causing humming. Fortunately, this isn’t a significant problem, and a plumber specializing in water heater repair can tighten the element and quiet the unit.
- Hammering: Plumbers call this “water hammering,” which occurs when the mounted pipes hit the wall. This can occur due to a number of reasons, such as improperly anchored pipes, turning the water on and off abruptly, or operating a water pump without a holding tank to keep the water flow. This problem won’t cause damage immediately, but it will if you wait too long to hire a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair. They can install a water hammer arrestor to resolve the problem, and the hammering will stop.
- Hissing: This sound indicates a leak in the unit or a pipe leading to it, and you should call a professional in tankless water heater repair. If your unit is old, the plumber may suggest replacing it to prevent future problems that occur with older units.
- Screeching: This sound occurs when a valve isn’t open completely, and the high pressure will cause the unit to screech. A plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair in San Antonio, TX can replace the faulty valve to quiet the unit. You shouldn’t do this yourself because there’s a high risk of steam burns.
Strange sounds indicate issues that should be repaired quickly, and a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair can resolve the problem, so the unit functions quietly.
#7 Error Messages
The most obvious sign it’s time to call a plumber specializing in tankless water heater repair is an error message on the display screen. The error messages pop up for a reason, and ignoring them will only worsen the problem.
A tankless water heater repair professional can read the error message, know what they mean, and make the necessary repair.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
If your water heater isn’t working correctly and you need to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair, look no further than bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We’re a full-service plumbing company and are a one-stop shop for your home repair needs.
We’re a member of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, and our techs are highly trained. Their knowledge, skill, and experience have allowed them to tackle some of the most challenging jobs in the industry, and they can handle any job you have.
We understand that plumbing issues can arise at the most inconvenient times, and if you have a problem that must be addressed immediately, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’ll do our best to get a plumber to your house as quickly as possible to resolve the problem, regardless of the time or day.
We do our best to keep our prices low, and we don’t charge a trip fee or overtime charges. We also have coupons on our website to save money on services and equipment, or you can become a member of our bfpad Proactive Protection Program. As a member, you’ll receive priority service, a free plumbing evaluation every year, and 15 percent off service.
We’ve earned an excellent reputation over the years and are a Google Guaranteed business with a 5-star rating. You can also find us on Home Advisor, and we’re listed as an Elite, Top[ Rated service on the platform.
If you need to schedule an appointment for tankless water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us a call at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio or book online.
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