Tankless water heaters can easily stand up to 20 to 25 years if maintained and cleaned regularly. They require cleaning every once in a while, but they are often ignored because we all think they can function without any maintenance. If not cleaned, they can build up a scale inside the pipes, which you would not want to see.

A tankless water heater requires cleaning in two years for small families, but if you have a big family of 4 to 6 persons, you must take care of it every 12 to 13 months. So, the question is how to clean a tankless water heater all on your own?

This is easy if you learn about the steps carefully and clean your tankless water heater in a minimum time.

Reasons To Clean It

If you own a tankless water heater, you must be aware that you need to flush it occasionally because it builds up a scale inside the pipes due to minerals inside the water. That is not a risk of explosion or out-bursting, but you may need to spend a lot of money if it happens.

In other cases, you can experience more electricity or gas bills because the exchanger has to work harder when there is a scale build-up inside the pipes. This can also shorten the lifespan of your tankless water heater, which you would never want. So, in order to prevent these things, make sure you clean your tankless water heater once a year.

Gears You Need for Cleaning

• Non-contact electrical tester
• 5 Gallon buckets
• small sump pump
• Screwdriver
• Two sections of 6-foot-long garden hose with connectors,
• wrench
• 5 gallons of white vinegar

Steps

1.    Turn Off Connections

First and foremost, you have to turn off the gas valves or switches in case of electric tankless water heaters. It would prevent any dangers that you might have in the process of cleaning and flushing. Also, extract any water from the hot and cold valves by opening their pipes and turning on the valves. It will extract extra water and let every water drop extracted from it. Now, turn off these valves too. It will prevent water from getting into the unit while working.

2.    Flushing Phase

• Release any pressure while locating the hot water valve and be careful while doing it because it will be hot.
• Attach the hot and cold-water service port for these sides and connect hoses of the sump pump with both of them.
• Place the other side of the submersible pump into the five-gallon bucket.
• Attach a cold-water hose to your pump.
• Place the free end of the hot water hose into your bucket.
• Afterward, pour the four gallons of virgin food-grade vinegar into the bucket.
• Turn on the sump pump and open the hot and cold ports.
• Let the vinegar circulate through the tankless water heater and leave it be for one and half hours. The vinegar will start to break down the scale and flush out the residue.
• Turn off the pump and dump the vinegar out. While doing it, make sure to not make your clothes dirty and use proper gear.
• Remove the attached hose after turning off the cold-water services port.
• Open the cold-water valve in order to take out any remaining vinegar through the second hose for about ten to fifteen minutes and then close the valve.
• Let the water finish drain and remove the second hose.
• Also, close the hot water port.
• Wash the filters at a sink and remove any other trapped residue.

Final Touch-ups

After the whole process is completed, make sure to securely open hot and cold valves and let the water flow. Now, replace the access panel and open the gas valves. If it is an electrical one, reconnect the electrical supply.

On the other hand, if you want to replace your tankless water heater, please give us a call. We provide tankless water heater services in Hamilton with the best installation cost. So, reach out to us for high-quality services.