If you’ve chosen to install a tankless water heater in your home, congratulations! You’ve picked a highly efficient system. However, just because it’s highly efficient doesn’t mean you don’t have to maintain it. Practically every tankless water heater manufacturer will recommend routine maintenance, and flushing may be necessary from time to time. Hard water can wreak havoc on your home plumbing system, especially if you get your water from a well. Sediment build up can also be a problem and can keep your tankless water heater from heating water normally.
Why Flushing Can Be Crucial
The heat exchanger, one of the most important components of the system, for your tankless water heater has narrow water passages that must be preserved. If the heat exchanger becomes blocked with limescale, flushing the system can keep your water heater from encountering some more serious problems. If you happen to miss the problem or choose to ignore it, the heat exchanger can become damaged because there won’t be enough water to cool it down.
Flushing Your Tankless Water Heater
- Review the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
- Turn off the power source to your water heater.
- Unscrew the lid of your water heater and remove it.
- Close the three valves supplying your water heater with water.
- Carefully remove the purge port valve caps from the purge valves you’ll find located on each side of the cold and hot water valves. This will relieve any pressure built up inside the valves and will keep excess hot water from squirting out onto your skin.
- Connect hosing lines to the three valves. These connecting hoses are typically provided by the manufacturer.
- Open the purge port valves and twist them perpendicularly to the cold and hot valve positions.
- Use two and a half gallons of undiluted white vinegar to clean out your water heater.
- After that, flush and drain your tankless water heater. Be sure to follow the directions given by the manufacturer.
- Close the purge port valves after the flushing process is complete by twisting the handles.
- Disconnect the hosing lines from each of the three water valves.
- Re-cover the purge valves with their respective caps and be sure everything is tightened.
- Locate your water heater’s filter which should be clearly labeled, remove the filter, and clean out both the housing and interior screen by running them under tap water. After cleansing them, replace the filter.
- Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly restart your water heater.
- Lastly, steadily turn on the hot water tap so air can pass through the pipe.
If you’re going to install a tankless water heater in your home, you also have to take care of it. If you’re more of a hands-on homeowner, by all means, tackle flushing your system on your own. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, contact us here at Master Tech. We can be reached at (508) 388-6007 or by filling out an online contact form!