Top Reasons Why Your Tankless Water Heater Is Not Working

When you are experiencing tankless water heater problems, it can be a major headache. Whether your tankless water heater is not working or your tankless water heater is leaking, you may wonder what is causing these breakdowns and damages.

If you need professional assistance for your leaking tankless water heater, depend on our reliable plumbing experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fort Worth for all repairs on all types of water heaters. Whether you have a gas or electric unit, we understand the common reasons why your tankless water heater is not working and what to do about it.

Keep on reading to find out the common reasons why your tankless unit isn't working properly, or call us today to schedule tankless water heater repair services with our expert Fort Worth plumbers.

Your Tankless Water Heater Is Not Working: Mineral Buildup

One of the main reasons why your water heater is leaking or isn't working is due to sediment buildup. As the unit continuously circulates water, mineral deposits and debris accumulate in the unit, causing leaks, breakdowns, and other efficiency issues.

In the United States, many homeowners deal with hard water, which is the presence of high calcium levels in the water. While this is not harmful to human health, it can cause a pesky issue called limescale, wherein the buildup of minerals produces a chalky deposit onto your pipes, water heater, and plumbing fixtures.

The best way to clear away the minerals buildup is by getting your water heater demineralized by our team of plumbing professionals. We advise getting sediment buildup removed from your tank every year. In addition to this, you can check if your water heater has a water filter. If so, make sure you don't have a dirty filter by cleaning it on a regular basis.

Why Your Tankless Water Heater Is Leaking: Malfunctioning Pressure Relief Valve

In unfortunate circumstances, when you see water pooling around your tankless water heater, the common reason is usually a faulty pressure valve. These valves are responsible for removing all of the excess pressure in the unit, and when they fail to release the pressure, they may get stuck. This can cause water leaks and a drop in water pressure.

When this happens, the best thing you can do is get the assistance of our professional plumber to bleed out the pressure, making sure your tankless water heater leaks are eradicated. Attempting this procedure on your own can result in burns or injuries from exposure to scalding hot water. To prevent any safety hazards or issues with your pressure valve, invest in the service of an experienced plumber.

Why Your Tankless Water Heater Is Not Working: An Electrical System Overload

Another reason why your tankless water heater is not working is due to a system overload. When you have too many hot water faucets running at the same time, you can cause the water heater to shut down from an overload.

To deal with your system overload, turn off your water faucets for a few minutes and wait before trying to use the hot water again. Also, it's recommended to limit yourself to one hot water faucet at a time to prevent future overloads. Or if you constantly need hot water on demand to keep up with your large family, consider upgrading or investing in a second tankless heater, which can resolve this issue.

Why Your Tankless Water Heater Is Not Working: Improper Ventilation

Sometimes your tankless water heater isn't working because of an air supply blockage. Tankless water heater units include an exhaust vent system to ensure all of the excess air can leave your home. When these water heater vents become clogged, you may have decreased heating performance, which can even cause water leaks.

When you suspect that you have clogged exhaust vents, it is best to schedule an appointment with our professional plumber to inspect the vent pipes and tighten any loose connections on the pipe fittings. We will also make sure there is adequate airflow and ventilation by making sure no debris is lodged in the vents.

Reason Tankless Water Heater Not Working: Ignition or Flame Failure

Another reason why your tankless water heater is not working is because of a failed igniter. If your tankless heater runs on a gas supply unit, you may not have hot water due to an ignition failure, whereas electric tankless water heaters run without an igniter.

To address this malfunction, you can call our experienced plumbing professionals for tankless water heater repair. We can inspect your gas lines, flame sensor, and igniter to find out why your gas water heater isn't working. In some cases, we will have to replace the faulty flame sensor or burnt-out heating elements to make sure your unit can properly ignite for years to come.

Similar to ignition failures, flame failures can be caused by excess pressure in the gas lines or electrical issues. This happens when the gas line is too small, or there is inadequate ventilation in the unit. When you suspect flame failures, you can get proper maintenance and repairs from our trusted team of plumbers to replace any of the faulty internal heater components or correct the gas line sizes.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing Today to Get Tankless Water Heater Repair Services

When you are facing any of these common issues with your tankless water heater, count on our licensed plumber at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fort Worth for expert advice and repairs for your leaky or broken water heaters. We can get your heater back to optimal performance with our thorough inspections, quality workmanship, and proper tools.

No matter what the reason for your water heater breakdown, whether it's from mineral buildup or a damaged heat exchanger, we are able to diagnose the issue at hand and provide long-lasting solutions for your space-saving water heater.