Need tankless water heater repair in Vancouver, WA? True Plumbing provides licensed and insured plumbing repairs in Vancouver.
In Short
A tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so most problems show up as no hot water at all or hot water that can't keep up. Mineral buildup, ignition failures and a unit too small for the household's demand are common causes. Whether to repair or replace depends on the unit's age, the cost of the repair and how serious the problem is. Because the work can involve gas lines, electrical connections and pressurized water, most repairs belong with a licensed plumber. True Plumbing provides licensed and insured plumbing repairs in Vancouver, WA.
Common Tankless Problems
Mineral buildup. Tankless units frequently deal with mineral buildup that clogs their heating elements. Hard water makes it worse: a professional installation includes a water hardness test, with a water softener recommended when the result exceeds the manufacturer's limit. Flushing the unit removes buildup. One of our customers had a tankless heater flushed and plans to have the same technician back every year to do it again.
Read moreRead less about Common Tankless Problems
Ignition failure. An ignition failure can keep a gas unit from starting at all, so every tap runs cold.
A unit that can't keep up. A tankless heater's output is rated in gallons per minute (GPM). Hot water is continuous until several fixtures draw from the unit at once, such as a shower and a dishwasher. If the water turns lukewarm only when two things are running, the unit may be too small for the household rather than broken. A plumber can calculate the capacity the home needs, and some households use two units.
Repair or Replace?
Weigh the unit's age, the cost of the repair and how severe the problem is. Repairs are usually worthwhile on a unit under 8 years old when the fix costs less than half the price of a new one. For a unit over 10 years old, or one with frequent breakdowns or major component failures, a new energy-efficient model often makes more financial sense. If the heater is still under warranty, check with the manufacturer first: it can point you to certified service providers who perform warranty repairs at no cost to you.
Read moreRead less about Repair or Replace
Replacement doesn't have to take long. For one customer whose water heater was failing, our crew replaced it with a new tankless heater and a whole-house water softener in about 5 1/2 hours, start to finish. Tankless isn't always the right fit, and we say so: when another customer with a 17-year-old water heater asked about tankless and heat pump models, our technician recommended staying with a good quality standard tank.
What You Can Check Before You Call
Some basic tasks are safe for homeowners, such as resetting a tripped circuit breaker or checking the gas supply valve. Most repairs should be left to professionals, because water heater repairs often involve gas lines, electrical connections or pressurized systems that require specialized knowledge and tools. Attempting complex repairs yourself can void the warranty, create safety hazards or cause more damage.
How We Help in Vancouver
We provide licensed and insured plumbing services in Vancouver, WA, including repairs and replacements, leak repairs, emergency plumbing and home repiping, for homes and businesses across Clark County and nearby Cowlitz County, Washington, and East Multnomah County, Oregon. For a tankless unit, that includes service and flushing, and telling you whether the problem needs a repair, a better-sized unit or a replacement. Estimates are free. Contact us to describe what your heater is doing and ask about availability.
For more, see Water Heater Repair.
What Customers Are Saying
"Danny did a super job replacing all angle stops in my house as well as flushing my tankless hot water heater. He was extremely efficient, highly knowledgeabl, and very professional. I would have him out again in a minute."
— Mark L., Yelp review
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Repairing an Older Tankless Water Heater?
It depends on the unit's age, the repair cost and how severe the problem is. Repairs usually make sense for a unit under 8 years old when the fix costs less than half the price of a new one. Past 10 years, or with frequent breakdowns, a new model often makes more financial sense.
Why Does My Tankless Heater Run Out of Hot Water When Two Fixtures Are On?
Output is rated in gallons per minute, and running a shower and a dishwasher at once can exceed what one unit supplies. A plumber can check whether the unit is sized for your household.
