When it comes to tank water heaters, it’s probably pretty apparent to you why maintenance would be necessary. It’s a huge system, with multiple components, and it stores water on a consistent basis so there is corrosion to worry about, right? There’s also scaling to worry about—that is, the buildup of hard water minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron that turns into sediment deposits and settles on the bottom of the water heater tank.
But you have a tankless system, so you don’t need to worry about any of this, right?
Um, not quite! Much of the maintenance that we do for traditional storage tank water heaters is actually pretty similar to the maintenance we have to perform on tankless systems as well. Keep reading as we uncover why this is necessary and why you should go ahead and schedule your next tankless water heater maintenance session soon.
The Impact of Scaling on a Tankless Water Heater
Scaling affects tankless water heaters in a way that could lead to its premature demise if you don’t schedule routine maintenance for the system. Hard water, like what we mentioned above, is what causes this. The mineral buildup created by hard water is harmless for people and pets to ingest, however, it’s not so great for your plumbing system.
When hard water leaves behind mineral deposits within your plumbing pipes, it’s called scaling, and scaling can have a big impact on the heat exchanger component of the tankless system. As you may realize, the heat exchanger is the part actually responsive for heating up the water. You need this component to be clean, so water can be efficiently heated. Scaling can prevent the burners from doing their job, and eventually, the tankless water heater can be overworked to the point of breakdown.
“When Do I Need to Schedule Maintenance for My Tankless Water Heater?”
For some tankless water heaters, maintenance may be necessary annually in order to keep the system running smoothly through its entire lifespan. For other systems, maybe in areas that don’t suffer as badly from hard water, maintenance can be done every 2-3 years. But this comes with the risk of problems popping up when you least expect them.
The best way to know for sure is to talk to one of our professional plumbers. We can help you by testing the level of hard water in your home. Actually, you can probably tell on your own if you do have hard water. The mineral deposits will leave behind a white chalky substance, which you’ll see in spots on your dishes with you take them out of the dishwasher, as well as around drain openings and faucets.
“How Long Does a Tankless System Last?”
Routine maintenance is important for a tankless water heater, because it will help it last longer. Of course, it will have to be replaced eventually, but if you have it professionally installed and cared for, you can expect yours to last almost 2 decades.
For expert service on your water heater in Lakewood, WA, reach out to Sunset Air today!
