Water scale builds up on everything. These powdery mineral deposits left behind by most tap water are sometimes called water spots, residue, or “scale” by plumbing professionals. When it comes to your water heater, you will need to descale a few times a year based on how hard your water is, or how many hard minerals are in your home’s water supply. Tankless water heaters need this as much as traditional tank water heaters, and it’s important to know when to call for Houston water heater repair and cleaning services.
Did you know that nearly 90% of US homes have hard water running through the taps? This means water that has come into contact with stones like limestone, which are rich in earth minerals like calcium and magnesium. When water flows through space or dries on a surface, some of these minerals are left behind as scale. However, when scale builds up on your tankless water heater, you may notice lost efficiency and satisfaction over time. Let’s take a closer look at the matter of mineral buildup and tankless water heater repairs.
Signs You Need Houston Water Heater Repair for Mineral Buildup in Your Tankless Water Heater
Mineral buildup is a serious problem for tankless water heaters and can cause a number of malfunctions. This is because the inside of your tankless water heater is developing a chalky coating that will need to be cleaned out before water heater efficiency is returned. Here are some signs that you need water heater repairs due to mineral buildup in your tankless water heater.
Water Isn’t Very Hot
The primary benefit of a tankless water heater is on-demand hot water. If the water isn’t very hot, this defeats the purpose. Limescale on the internal parts of your tankless water heater act as an insulator. This means the heat from the coils can’t reach the water as effectively. When this happens, Houston water heater repair can provide the descaling you need to enjoy blissfully hot showers again.
If too much scale builds up on your coils or in the channels, the damage may not be repairable. In this case, Houston water heater installation for a new unit can rapidly get you back to a hot-water home.
Increased Energy Costs
Your water heater should not cost more to use over time. If you notice rising electricity costs, check on your tankless water heater for signs of poor performance. Because the limescale makes the water heater elements less effective at transferring heat, then it also works harder, increasing electricity/natural gas costs
Low Hot Water Pressure
Water pressure is based on the freedom of water to flow through your pipes. However, scale buildup inside your water heating unit can limit that flow. Low water pressure for only the hot water taps may also signal significant mineral buildup that is blocking the inlet and/or outlet pipes so water can’t flow as freely.
What Causes Mineral Buildup in Tankless Water Heaters that Requires Houston Water Heater Repair
Mineral buildup inside tankless water heaters is bad news, but it is also very common. Millions of people need Houston water heater repair eventually due to hard water mineral buildup.
Minerals build up inside tankless water heaters because the minerals are slowly left behind by the flow of water. Minerals in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, can easily deposit on the internal parts of a tankless water heater and those deposits, known as scale or limescale, build up over time and create problems for the water heater. Eventually, this necessitates tankless water heater repairs.
Prevention Tips for Mineral Buildup on Tankless Water Heaters to Avoid Houston Water Heater Repair
How do you prevent mineral buildup inside your tankless water heater? There are two ways to approach tankless water heater maintenance so you can avoid the need for Houston emergency plumber services in the future. You can keep your tankless water heater well-maintained, or you can remove the risks of hard water from your home entirely with a water softening unit.
Routine Maintenance
The best way to ensure great tankless water heater performance year after year is regular maintenance. Getting your tankless water heater inspected and maintained once or twice a year is an excellent way to keep your unit clean of hard water scale and stay on top of your Houston water heater repairs before they become a problem.
Flushing and Descaling
A big part of water heater maintenance is flushing and descaling. Flushing a water heater, you will clear out the unit and then send a mixture of vinegar and warm water, or other mineral-fighting solutions, through the tankless water heater. This is done several times to wash away the minerals and descale the water heater. We recommend annual or six-month water heater maintenance, which means our technicians can also take care of routine descaling. You can do DIY descaling, but should still schedule a full maintenance service once a year. This way, our professionals can check for other issues as well.
Install a Water Softener
The best way to prevent scale from building up anywhere in your home, however, is to install a water softener. This is a piece of equipment that sits between your water main and every other pipe and water fixture in the house. Water softeners remove hard minerals from your water before they reach the water heater, preventing mineral buildup and extending the lifespan of your heater, pipes, washing machines, and other fixtures.
Of course, your water softener will also require routine maintenance and installation can be fairly pricey, so each household tends to decide on its own whether water softener installation is a good investment. However, if there is a bad limescale problem throughout your home, it may be the best solution.
Houston Water Heater Repair from Santhoff Plumbing
If your home is in need of Houston water heater repair, installation, or emergency plumbing services, the Santhoff Plumbing Company is ready to assist. Our team has been in business since 1974 and has proudly boasted high ratings since Houston’s very first plumber reviews. We offer comprehensive services, including emergency repairs, plumbing maintenance, and plumbing installation for local homeowners. We also work with many types of water appliances, including a variety of water heater styles and brands to suit our customer’s needs.
Is your tankless water heater providing poor heat, low water pressure, or other signs of poor performance? Whether you need water heater maintenance or Houston water heater installation, we’ve got you covered. We will have your water heater pumping delightful gallons of steamy water again in no time. Contact us to request service from our experts today!
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