It is a huge inconvenience when your tankless water heater breaks, especially in the middle of a cold season. Knowing what tankless water heater repair entails will help you find an ideal repair technician and ensure your water heater gets the service it needs.
In the below blog post, we take a closer look at tankless water repair, what it involves, what you need to know, and why a professional plumber is essential when it comes to repairs and service. Let’s get started!
Common Steps in a Tankless Water Heater Repair Service
Technicians may take different approaches to repairing broken heater units. Their process largely depends on which type of heater you own and the cause of the problem. Generally, however, here’s what you can expect when you call for a tankless water heater repair service:
1. Diagnosing the problem and identifying the cause.
Typically, a professional technician will start with a thorough inspection and diagnosis. Before they can do any repairs, they must find out what’s causing the water heater to fail and whether there is an underlying reason. For example, if they discover the heater is underperforming because of mineral buildup, technicians will approach it differently than if the water heater has a damaged ignition or malfunctioning thermostat.
Be wary of technicians who immediately recommend repairs without first diagnosing the problem. Even if they succeed at making the heater work again, they will likely overlook other issues that will inevitably emerge soon.
2. Inspecting the unit to further check its condition.
After identifying the problem, seasoned technicians will typically inspect the rest of the unit. They will check the components that are most vulnerable to wear and tear, look for signs of corrosion, and make an assessment of the water heater’s overall condition – whether it can still operate at full capacity for many years or needs replacing as soon as possible.
Further inspections are a preventive measure to help customers avoid bigger and more expensive problems later. Addressing potential issues early on will ensure the tankless water heater’s longevity and save the homeowner costly repairs.
3. Repairing the tankless water heater.
Sometimes, technicians need to order new components to repair a tankless water heater or acquire special equipment to perform the necessary repairs. Only with all the tools and parts on hand, can they finally fix the problem and get the heater to work correctly again.
Some common repairs performed on tankless water heaters are as follows:
- Flushing – This removes accumulated sediments and minerals that block the heater’s tubes and prevent it from efficiently heating water.
- Parts replacement – If the ignition fails to work or an electrical component gets damaged, technicians will replace them with new parts to get the unit to heat water again.
- Vent cleaning – Tankless water heaters have ventilation pipes. If they have punctures or are blocked by rodents, wasps, and other nesting animals, the water heater may not function properly. If the issue is in the vents, technicians may clean them out, patch them, or replace them with new ones.
- Gas line checks – Sometimes, the issue lies with the gas line that connects to the water heater. There can be a problem with the electrical mechanisms or the gas pressure regulator. Any problem with gas lines is a fire hazard and safety risk that technicians must fix immediately.
4. Testing the water heater after repair.
After the repairs are finished, technicians will test your water heater to ensure everything is working smoothly. They can do this for up to an hour to ensure the tankless water heater operates without further issues. They will also check the heater’s efficiency to ensure it can produce a steady hot water supply when necessary.
Experienced technicians follow a meticulous testing process and check certain parameters before declaring a heater repaired and in excellent condition. Their attention to detail is what separates them from less experienced technicians.
Get Your Water Heaters Working Perfectly with bluefrog Plumbing + Drain
Ensuring your water heater is functioning well during the cold autumn and winter months is essential. If your unit shows signs of disrepair, call the professionals to repair it immediately.
Timely repairs can prevent further damage to your tankless water heater and prolong its service life. Fortunately, our water heater repair technicians at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Overland Park are just one phone call away and can be at your doorstep should you have a water heater emergency. We offer tankless water heater inspections, repairs, and installations and are available 24/7.
Contact our Overland Park plumbers today to request tankless water heater repair and other services.
