Importance Of Descaling A Tankless Water Heater
Why is it important to flush your tankless system?
Did you know that every manufacturer of tankless water heaters recommends that you regularly clean and maintain your system? If your tankless water heater uses hard water, it might develop lime and mineral deposits on the heating elements. Sediment build-up in a narrow water passage might clog the element and prevent the ability for water to heat normally.
A heat exchanger is a device designed to efficiently transfer or “exchange” heat from one matter to another. Every tankless water heater has a heat exchanger which just happens to have narrow water passages. Flushing a tankless water heater that has a blocked heat exchange is very important and must be done before serious damage occurs. If you do not flush/descale your tankless, the heat exchange can be damaged due to there not being enough water to pass through the line and cool down the system. In most cases, damage related to limescale build-up is not covered by the warranty.
“Why can a damaged heat exchange be dangerous?” you might ask. Well, there are two major dangers with having a broken heat exchange:
- The first is the potential for the tankless to catch fire and potentially spread to other parts in the home.
- The second danger is carbon monoxide emissions
Although it is not overly complicated to descale your tankless, it is important that it is done properly. It is recommended that you call a professional like Armstrong Plumbing, who has the proper tools and cleaning solutions to run through your system!
Below Are a Few Images Showing the Process of Descaling and the Buildup That Has Occurred Inside of the Tankless System:
