Tankless water heaters offer a level of convenience and efficiency that goes above and beyond those of their traditional counterparts. Ensuring that they continue operating efficiently does take a little bit of work, though. Read on to find out about the basics of tankless water heater maintenance in San Marcos CA to see what it entails.
Read the Manual
Homeowners who have never performed their maintenance on their water heaters should always check their manuals before getting started. They should also note that choosing to perform their maintenance will likely void their warranties. Avoiding this problem requires hiring a professional for tankless water heater maintenance in San Marcos CA, which may be a better option for those who find that they don’t understand their manufacturers’ instructions.
Turn off Power and Water
Make sure to turn off the power to the water heater before attempting to perform any kind of maintenance. Next, remove the lid and close off any water supply valves.
Remove Purge Port Valve Caps Slowly
The importance of exercising caution during this step cannot be overstated. Removing the purge port valve caps carefully will prevent hot water from shooting out and potentially causing serious burns. Once the valve caps have been removed, hoses can be attached to each of them.
Clean, Flush and Drain
The cleaning process itself is the easy part. The tank itself can be cleaned using undiluted white vinegar. Finally, flush and drain the tank following the instructions provided in its owner’s manual.
Clean the Filter
The filter should be labeled. Usually, it can be unscrewed and cleaned out easily using a kitchen sink. Wait til after the tank has been cleaned and drained to rinse the filter.
Replace All Parts
Close the purge port valves after the cleaning and flushing process has been completed and disconnect the hose lines. Make sure to tighten the purge port valve caps appropriately to avoid leaks and potential safety hazards. It’s essential that homeowners follow all manufacturers’ instructions exactly.
A Better Solution
If all of this sounds like a lot of work, it’s because maintaining a tankless water heater is, in fact, a lot of work. Thankfully, it only needs to be done once a year and it isn’t prohibitively expensive to just hire a plumber to maintain the unit. Contact us to get a quote today.