Why Your Tankless Water Heater Needs Professional Descaling and Flushing

Tankless water heaters are gaining popularity because they provide homeowners with virtually endless hot water on demand. Like any appliance, they require some regular maintenance to deliver peak performance and efficiency.

Scale poses a very specific threat to tankless water heaters. Tankless water heaters should be descaled and flushed regularly so that scale does not affect the proper operation of the water heater. In this post, we’ll explain what scale is, how it can affect your tankless water heater, and the steps your plumbing contractor will take to descale and flush your heater.

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Understanding the Enemy: Scale Buildup

Scale, or limescale, is a white, chalky substance that forms when minerals in your water accumulate on surfaces or in appliances. If your water is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, then you have so-called “hard water”. If you have hard water, you’ve probably already experienced scale on your shower walls and shower door. Scale can even clog your shower heads.

When scale accumulates in an appliance, it can dramatically affect the unit’s operation and performance. With a tankless water heater, scale formulation can significantly impact the efficiency of the unit and lead to:

Reduced hot water flow
Increased energy consumption
Higher utility bills

The accumulation of scale effectively acts as an insulator, which forces your tankless water heater to work harder than it should. This extra effort not only wastes energy but also puts extra strain on the system. Bottom line: if your tankless water heater is not descaled and flushed regularly, scale can actually shorten the lifespan of the unit.

Protecting Your Tankless Water Heater Investment

Tankless water heaters deliver some significant benefits to homeowners, (Discover the top 3 reasons to go tankless here.) but there is an initial cost to upgrade to a tankless water heater. By performing regular maintenance on your tankless water heater, you are protecting your investment.

By getting your tankless water heater professional descaling and flushed, you will help ensure that your unit continues to operate at peak efficiency which will help lower your energy bills. You’ll also help extend the lifespan of your tankless water heater, which will save you money in the long run.

Tankless water heaters are complex, and some specialized knowledge and equipment is necessary to properly maintain them. Plus, your professional can identify and address potential problems before they get bigger which can prevent costly repairs and save you money down the road. So, this preventive maintenance from a professional is worth every penny.

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How to Know that Your Tankless Water Heater Needs Descaling:

Your plumbing contractor will get to know your tankless water heater and the hardness of your water, and will set up a schedule for you to get regular service. This is usually at least once a year, but may be more frequent if you have hard water.

If you do not get your tankless water heater descaled and flushed on a regular basis, you may experience some unsettling signs from your tankless water heater, such as:

Reduced hot water flow or pressure
Unusual noises coming from the unit
Inconsistent water temperature
Visible white, chalky buildup around the unit

You might also notice an increase in your energy bills as your tankless water heater’s efficiency begins to struggle under the weight of added scale accumulation.

What’s Involved in a Tankless Water Heater Service?

Your plumbing contractor will use his/her expertise and specialized equipment to:

Identify the extent of scale buildup
Use the correct descaling solutions
Thoroughly flush the system
Inspect and maintain other components to prevent future issues
Maximize the efficiency of your tankless water heater to help lower your energy costs
Keep your tankless water heater functioning properly so it delivers a reliable, consistent, perfect flow of endless hot water.

Schedule Your Descaling and Flushing Today!

Don’t wait until your tankless water heater breaks down. Contact your local plumbing professional now to schedule a professional descaling and flushing appointment and keep your hot water flowing.

Want to learn more about tankless water heaters? Read about the benefits of tankless water heaters here.