additional image of technician servicing a tankless water heater.

Tankless Water Heater Repair in South Jersey

Key Takeaways:

A faulty water heater can make everyday tasks like showering and cleaning dishes difficult or downright impossible.
While you can diagnose some water heater problems yourself, it is best to get a professional technician on the case.
Tankless water heaters come with several advantages including energy efficiency and taking up less space in your home.
Tankless water heaters generally last about 15 to 20 years, provided they receive proper care and maintenance throughout their lifespan.

A malfunctioning tankless water heater causes more than just inconvenience for homeowners.

A faulty water heater disrupts essential daily routines like showering, doing dishes, and performing other household tasks.
Such a fault may lead to further damage and put your home and family at risk.
You need to be well-versed in the intricacies of plumbing and gas or electrical systems to avoid causing more damage to your system, which can be very expensive.
The seriousness of the situation requires a timely response. Addressing the problem quickly is about more than just restoring normal function. It’s also about ensuring the integrity and safety of your home’s water heating system.

If you are experiencing issues with your tankless water heater, we urge you to contact a qualified water heater repair technician at Vaughan Comfort Services today. Protect your property and loved ones and return your household to its regular routine.

How a Tankless Water Heater Works

In a traditional water heater, you have a large water tank (sometimes 50 gallons or more) that continually heats the water within so that when it runs through the pipes, you get warm water out of the tap. This can raise your utility bills due to the constant need to heat large amounts of water, and it can cause significant issues if the tank rusts through, causing all that water to run out on the floor.

With a tankless heater, you heat water only as you need it. This improves efficiency, removes the potential for tank failure, and ensures you will not run out of hot water because the tank is empty.

Why Isn’t My Tankless Water Heater Getting Hot?

image of technician working on tankless water heater

If you turn on your faucet and get cold water instead of hot, you might have too many taps open simultaneously, which means your heater cannot meet the demand. For example, if you are trying to run the dishwasher, washing machine, and shower simultaneously, it could be overtaxing the water heater.

However, not getting enough hot water could also indicate a more serious issue. Troubleshooting for common problems can sometimes reveal the cause of water heater issues.

No Ignition

A lack of ignition could indicate insufficient gas pressure. Low gas pressure is the most frequent cause of tankless water heater issues and is usually a relatively easy fix.

First, check your gas line valve to make sure it is open. If it is closed, reopening it is an easy DIY fix.
If that is not the issue, check your electrical components (thermostat, fuses, sensors, etc.) for burnout.

Check for debris or condensation on the burners — if wet, they may not ignite.

Sediment Buildup

Your water heater or pipes may have a buildup of sediment, dirt, or minerals. This is particularly true in systems with iron pipes or components, where rust can lead to iron particles that cause blockage in the lines, interfering with the water supply and water pressure. If you have hard water, you could experience a buildup of minerals like calcium or magnesium scale. Descaling can remove the buildup and allow your system to heat water again.

What Should I Do if My Tankless Water Heater is Leaking?

image of infographic describing the steps of troubleshooting a gas leak

If your water heater leaks, you likely have bad valves or another plumbing issue.

Follow These Steps to Troubleshoot Your Leaking Water Heater

To troubleshoot your leaking water heater, take the following steps.

Step 1: Turn Off the Power to Stop the Leak

The first step is to shut off the power to prevent the leak from worsening.

If you have an electric water heater, turn off the breaker. If you have a gas-powered water heater, turn off the gas valve.

After that, turn off the main water valve to prevent more water from getting through the leak.

Step 2: Find the Source of the Leak

Once you shut off the power and water, you need to find the source of the leak. Common locations include the heat exchanger, the valves, and the plumbing connections. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the water heater, you may be dealing with a condensation leak.

Step 3: Troubleshoot the Leak

With the leak identified, you can try to address some common issues that could be causing it. This includes tightening any fittings or inspecting and replacing seals and gaskets. It’s OK if you feel uncomfortable doing this on your own, as expert help is available.

Step 4: Trust the Experts

A plumber has years of experience and training in dealing with all sorts of issues, and they can help fix these problems quickly and correctly. Leaking pipes in your home can cause structural damage to the house and be the cause of bacteria, mold, and pathogens that can put your family in danger. This is not a task to DIY and hope for the best.Call a plumbing services company like Vaughan Comfort Services to keep your family healthy and your home safe. We offer 24-hour emergency services and will get the problem fixed quickly and correctly the first time. Call us at 856-627-0303 or use our online form to schedule a technician’s visit today.

Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater boasts many benefits in addition to energy efficiency.

Tankless water heaters last up to 20 years, more than double the average lifespan of a tanked water heater.
The longer your tankless water heater remains in service, the more you will save. Energy.gov estimates that gas tankless water heaters can save over $100 per year, while electric tankless water heaters can save about $44 per year.
Tankless water heaters take up less space than storage tank water heaters, as they do not require large tanks for holding water.
A water heater technician can install these small water heaters in tight spaces or outside if necessary.
Tankless water heaters provide instant, on-demand hot water, up to three gallons per minute. You won’t have to wait a few seconds for hot water as you do with storage tank heaters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Most Common Issue With Tankless Water Heaters?

First, annual maintenance (like flushing the heat exchanger per manufacturer specs) is necessary to keep the units running efficiently and avoid costly repairs. Second, we highly recommend a sediment filter to keep your lines from clogging. The issue we hear about most often at Vaughan Comfort Services relates to flow rate. Showers and faucets with restrictors can cause low flow through the tankless water heater, and this can cause fluctuations in the hot water temperature.

What is the Lifespan of a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters are rated to last much longer than tank-based heaters. With proper maintenance, they can last 15 to 20 years. However, the overall life expectancy will depend on several factors, such as the brand, the application, and the quality of water to which it is exposed. You can perform some regular maintenance on your tankless system yourself. Some issues, however, may require a service call with a company that performs tankless water heater repair services.

How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Install Cost?

The price for a new tankless water heater installation varies based on several factors. First, you must determine what size water heater you need. Next, consider the installation specifics. For example, replacing an existing tankless heater is different from replacing a tank heater with a tankless model. Your water heater installation company can provide an estimate on the cost of a new tankless heater.

What Kind of Maintenance Does a Tankless Water Heater Need?

External Maintenance

External maintenance involves your technician:

Ensuring that the system’s components, such as the fan motor, are in good working order
Replacing the intake valve
Checking the exhaust burner assembly and gas manifold
Examining the heating element, flame, and ignition rods for corrosion

Internal Maintenance

During internal maintenance, the technician flushes your system with water to prevent mineral buildup and keep water flowing smoothly.

Is a Tankless Water Heater More Efficient Than a Traditional Water Heater?

A tankless water heater can be more efficient than a traditional water heater, depending on how much water you use in your home. For the most part, tankless water heaters are more efficient as they only use heat when needed. In general, if you use less than 41 gallons of water per day, you can improve energy efficiency by more than 30% with a tankless heater.

Should I Repair or Replace My Water Heater?

Whether you should repair or replace your water heater depends on several factors, including its age and the diagnosis of the problem.

How to Troubleshoot a Noisy Tankless Water Heater

To troubleshoot a noisy tankless water heater, consider the following steps.

Tighten loose components.
Flush the entire unit.
Clean out the igniter and burner assembly.

What Causes Corrosion in a Tankless Water Heater?

Several factors can cause corrosion in a tankless water heater, including exposure to hard water, rough substances, and minerals.

How Can I Troubleshoot a Tankless Water Heater That’s Not Producing Hot Water?

To troubleshoot a tankless water heater that isn’t producing hot water, start by checking the power supply. If that isn’t the problem, check the water supply valves. Anything beyond that will likely require help from a professional technician.

Why Choose Vaughan Comfort Services for Your Tankless Water Heater Repair?

When you call a Vaughan professional to your house to diagnose an issue, repair your tankless unit, or install a new water heater, our technicians will do so efficiently and quickly. We understand our customers’ needs and are ready to handle emergency services at any hour of the day or night. You will get friendly and knowledgeable service to restore your hot water quickly.

Need ongoing maintenance? Some water heater maintenance involves electrical systems, motors, fans, etc. Many people are understandably skittish about the upkeep of wires and electrical attachments. Our technicians are highly trained in all the complex issues involved with repairing and maintaining all sorts of water heaters, from maintaining electrical components to descaling and beyond. We can help keep your existing system strong and advise you when replacing a water heater will cost less than repairing it.

Drop the Bulk and Go Tankless

Vaughan Comfort Services has served South Jersey for over 80 years. We are a hometown company located in Magnolia, New Jersey, and we take great pride in bringing upfront honesty and integrity to every job and in building relationships with our customers that last for years. Thanks to our customers, we have grown from a small kerosene and propane delivery service in 1937 to one of the region’s most respected and trusted HVAC and plumbing services companies. We offer easy payment plans and financing. We also accept all major credit cards, checks, and EFT over the phone or online at no additional charge.

If you need hot water heater repair or replacement services, we are ready to help. Contact us at 856-627-0303 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment today or request more information about installation, warranty, and prices.