How To Maintain A Tankless Water Heater

Your tankless water heater typically provides you with an endless supply of hot water, and so there’s a need to have the unit maintained properly. But just like the traditional storage tank heater, the tankless model does not require much maintenance.

Keep your tankless water heater in great shape by flushing it annually. As it accumulates minerals that can build up over time and damage the tank’s chamber, your heater needs to be cleaned and maintained to remove limescale.

The process of flushing your tankless water heater is known as descaling, and this should be done every six months to two years. If your water is hard, you should use a water softener to help prevent the buildup of calcium which can cause damage through staining and erosion on the system and on your pipes.

To be able to maintain a tankless water heater, you have to gather your supplies such as a sump pump, undiluted white vinegar, bucket, and hose with the necessary fittings.

Set Up The Project

Shut off the power source for the water heater. Turn off the main gas line, or turn off the circuit breaker if it’s electric. Then remove the cover which is held in place by small screws. Then turn off the water valves attached to the heater, and remove the purge port valve caps to relieve any pressure built inside the valves.

Attach The Hose To The Valves

Hook up a hosing line to the inlet side of your water heater, and connect a sump pump on the other end of the hose. Then submerge the pump in a bucket filled with 2.5 to 3 gallons of undiluted white vinegar (use this at all times instead of chemical solutions).

Perform The Flushing

Once you have finished connecting, run the sump pump for 45 minutes up to 1 hour. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of your heater. Replace the vinegar with fresh water after the process, to remove vinegar from the system.

After The Flushing Has Completed

Shut off the pump, disconnect the hosing lines, and close the purge port valves, after the flushing is done. Then refer to your tankless water heater’s instruction manual to safely restart your unit. You have to turn on the water slowly to allow air passage through the pipe and let it run for 2 to 3 minutes.

Regular maintenance of your tankless water heater is very important to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. If you can’t be able to do the flushing yourself, then call Shaul’s at 778-397-4850, or schedule an appointment.