How to Descale a Tankless Water Heater Simply and Efficiently!
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2022
- Tankless water heaters are a technological marvel! A far cry from the traditional tank-type water heater, these wonderful devices render running out of hot water during a soothing bath or shower nothing more than a bad memory! However, as with all precise and high-tech devices, some TLC by means of routine maintenance will be necessary to keep your hot water running for years to come.
For tankless water heaters, Public Enemy No. 1 comes in the form of SCALE, which is the rock-like residue left behind on surfaces they're subject to a water supply that is overly-packed with calcium and magnesium minerals…otherwise known as HARD water. The accumulation of scale inside your tankless water heater can lead to inefficient operation, or even worse: No hot water at all!
Thankfully, there's an INEXPENSIVE and SIMPLE way to remove scale from the internals of your tankless water heater to help keep it humming along for years to come…all you need are a few items and well, this step-by-step video, of course!
Here's what you're gonna need:
-Submersible pump with a 3/4" male HOSE thread outlet. The one I used can be found here:
www.amazon.ca/Superior-91250-...
-Two 5-foot (1.5 meter) washing machine hoses with female ends.
-One to two gallons of household white vinegar
-One five gallon bucket or equivalent container
-Clean rag or paper towels.
OK, you've got everything you need, now GO WATCH THE VIDEO and save your tankless water heater from certain doom!!! 💪
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A BIG THANK YOU to these wonderful, selfless and talented artists who have allowed me to use their work in the making of this video:
MUSIC:
Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Eric Matyas, Future Funk, www.soundimage.org
![How to descale a Tankless water heater. Chromex Tankless water heater descaler kit [557]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NNJEGX4AApo/mqdefault.jpg)
This is unbelievably easy. I got a quote for over $600 to do this. Then I said I had two and they cut me a break to do both for $900!! I already had a submersible pump, so about $50 for the hoses, new bucket, and plenty of vinegar, and I am set for many years. I am appalled by the rates and taking advantage of people who may not know and not being real with them. Thank you so much for great videos like these.
Awesome! Everyone needs to make a living, but the prices you were quoted do sound quite STEEP! Hope this video helps you out; let me know how it goes!
Worked perfectly. Cleaned the system, and I have a reminder set on my calendar to do it again. Thank you so much!
OUTSTANDING! LOVE IT!!! 👏
This video provided me with the information and confidence to service my own tankless (Rheem brand) unit. I watched another video first and the tankless unit in that video had service valves with separate contols for the cold water inlet/ hot water outlet and the service hose connection.
I started to worry I wouldn't be able to self-service my unit and would need to contact a plumber. Luckily I came across this video and you have the exact valves that I have (which I now know as a 3-way valve), down to the yellow tags.
Armed with the proper instructions on how to use this 3-way service valve I plan to descale my unit this week. Thanks for the knowledge I hope I can pay it forward. 👏🏿👏🏿
Thank you! Empowering you is what it's ALL about!
Cool Deadpool avatar, BTW!
First of all, thanks for the awesome detailed video and for taking the time to share your knowledge. After watching this, I feel confident I can perform this procedure on my girlfriends tankless water heater. Second, I have watched countless how-to videos on RUclips over the years and your video is the first one I have ever commented on. After watching the video, and reading most of your replies to the comments, it was obviously clear that you have a heart to help others, you have a positive attitude toward difficult situations and life in general, you accept where you are at with your skill level and give confident answers when you know something, but are humble enough to admit when you don't know something, you are very kind and respectful in your comments/answers and never put anyone down, and you are blessed with the gift of encouraging others. You stood out from all the others and this is why I had to comment on this video. If this is who you are in your private life, I know your family and friends are very blessed to know you. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, your actions show much fruit of the Spirit. If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, I pray you would have an open heart to seek Him. 🙏 Either way, I pray many blessings to you. Thanks again for the video and comments!!
WOW! All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for what is undoubtedly one of the kindest, most generous comments I've ever received! ♥ 🙏 (I kid you not!)
A the end of the day, bettering and lifting others in whatever way possible is what really matters (plumbing or otherwise), and it's reception such as yours which is really what drives me to make these videos.
All that matters is that you find them useful, and I can't express how grateful I am to know that. God bless you! 🙏
Hello frank! My name is Michael Acocella, when i first got into the trade, you were my pre-apprentice teacher at humber college! I just wanted to thank you for your amazing work ethic and professionalism, I was able to maintain and adhere to your knowledge you gave me all those years ago! Thank you! Keep up the good work! Amazing video
🕷
Michael!...I absolutely remember you, and it's great to hear from you and that you're doing well! Thank you so much for the touching words; you have no idea how much they mean to me - and they're the reason that compels me to keep doing what I'm doing! So from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for that! 🙏
Looking forward to hearing of your great adventures as you continue to aim for excellence in your career and in life!
Never stop improving, Mike! 💪
This is a very comprehensive, detailed, and clear instructed video for descaling, thank you very much
Thanks so much! 🙏 Glad you found it useful!
BEST VIDEO OUT THERE TO DESCALE! VERY INFORMATIVE. THANK YOU!
Thanks so much for your generous words! 🙏 Means a lot, and above all, I'm glad it helped!
Thank you for this video! We have been getting awful calcification from our hot water only. This makes perfect sense!
My pleasure...hope it resolves your calcification issue!
Amazing, that we are charged $250-$400 for this service. Last year the plumber was here less than hour. Crazy. Thanks, might just give it a try myself.
Awesome! I genuinely hope it works out for you. It's feedback like yours that wants me to keep making these videos!
Good luck!
At least your plumber knew what the issue was and fixed it. Plumbers in my areas either didn't know what descaling was or were not going to tell me. Has to install new unit + cost of plumber. He didn't suggest installing a descale kit.
Yeah, unfortunately this is what many plumbers & apprentices (and other contractors, for that matter) just don't get. I tell my students all the time: "Your reputation follows you!". You may be able to get away with the quick buck or shortcut once or perhaps a few times...but eventually word catches up that you're either a hack or or outright unethically shady.
I personally wouldn't be able to sleep at night, if I actively knew I was taking my customers for a ride.
You're such a good teacher, Frank, demonstrating every step of the set-up, & including little extras like the animation showing the direction of flow, and explaining what scale is. I appreciated your multiple camera angles that let us see your hands & tools on every valve & filter. Also helpful and not in any other vid I watched today: the info about pipe vs hose threads, and the possible need to get a male hose adapter for the pump. One small suggestion: I wished you had checked and cleaned the water heater's filter screen *before* you flushed, as well as after. Also, you could show us how to clean the air intake filter too.
Wow! Thanks so much! 🙏 Your feedback is among the most thoughtful and constructive I've ever received; humbly appreciated, and I will certainly take your suggestions to heart! 😊
Frank, this was so interesting! It's Fun to learn from someone, Who knows what their Doing! 2 Thumbs Up! Subscribed also! Thanks again!@@PlumbingsCool
@@dporrasxtremeLS3you're too kind!...Thanks so much!! 🙏
❤❤ As a woman I definitely appreciated all the angles and explanations I actually think I can do this myself!
@@noneofurbizness1271 With some thorough foresight, planning, and sheer determination, there's no doubt you can pull it off! 👊 Let me know how it goes!
Finally someone did a video
W the jomar valves where there are service valves . ❤nice job and thank you!
I'm delighted you found it useful!
Thank you so much for the Tip👍🏾
Pleasure's mine! 🙏
great video! thanks!
Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing..don't stop...keep up !!!
Thank you! I'll see what I can do!
Great video, thanks.
Thank you! Delighted that you you found it useful.
Great video thanks so much for creating
Pleasure's mine! Thanks so much for the encouraging feedback!
great video and very educational, thank you!
Thanks so much!!! 🙏 Happy New Year 🥂
Thanks a lot!!!
Great video sir
Thank you so much! 🙏
great video and information.
Thanks so much! 🙏
Excellent instructional video. Good explanation regarding Jomar 3 way valves.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! 🙏 Happy holidays to you and yours!
Life Hack, turn the vinegar bottle sideways when pouring. Pours easier and faster without surging/sloshing. Applicable on windshield wiper fluid and any other rectangular liquid container.
To the point! That's what I'm talking about.
Thank you
Thanks so much! 🙏 That was the goal! Happy New Year! 🥂
Very good video🙂👍
Thank you!
I am not sure if I ever going to do this but this was a great video
Thank you so much!...your generous comment means the world to me!. 🙏
Love my Bosch. Has top or bottom service ports
Thanks
Thanks!
Oh my goodness...thank you for my very first Super Thanks EVER!!! 🙏 ☺️ I am truly humbled, and I certainly hope that my content was able to help you resolve whatever resolution you were seeking. Thank you once again most sincerely!
Great video. Thanks for the education. Why treat the problem if you can prevent the problem? Why not just use a water softener to filter out the hardness?
Thank you 🙏 and great question! Although the installation of a water softener is certainly a game-changer for all your plumbing fixtures, not all water supply sources are always hard enough to justify the installation of a water softener to treat the incoming water. Also, the installation of a water softener may not be beneficial to those in the household who are diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure). A. Water softer works by replacing calcium and magnesium (and some iron) with sodium, which gets directly dissolved into the treated water, which may adversely affecting those with high blood pressure. Finally, some people simply don't like the feeling of washing or bathing with soft water (I'm one of them!). Although some see it as a benefit, the treated water's absence of abrasive minerals makes washing with it feel "silky smooth" on the skin. I personally liken it to the feeling of never being able to rinse the soap off, no matter how much you scrub...it just feels slimy to me! (but I'm probably in the minority). Also, I know some sticklers who still prefer to descale their tankless heater anyway, despite the existence of a softener - for example, in case their softener was not working properly or efficiently.
Thanks for your question and happy holidays! 🥂
Great video. I purchased a pond pump at my local box store. After about 3 years the rubber o-rings totally deteriorated and the metal part inside the pump completely started to corrode from the vinegar, pumping debris inside my tankless heater. Is there a pump you recommend that will withstand the corrosiveness of 5%vinegar. Thank you.
Thanks! Yeah, once had an issue with a pump corroding in the past as well, as a result of the vinegar. What I've since done is thoroughly rinse and flush the pump with clean, fresh water. This means actually running new water through the pump ad well. Be sure to also rinse the hose connections, which will equally corrode. In terms of pump type, I think any standard submersible sump pump will suffice - such as the one I show in the video, which was purchased off Amazon for about $100.
Hope this helps and thanks for watching!
Do u have a video on how to install a water softener/filter ?
Sorry, I don't yet. The good news is that the actual installation of a softener is not an overly-complicated process.
All softeners typically have a water IN and and OUT...and they usually have their own built-in bypass valves. So generally, the untreated Cold water supply connects to the IN, and the softened water connects the household piping (where you want the soft water to go) to the OUT.
A few things:
You probably not want your softened water to run outside to your outdoor hose Bibs (unless you want to use it for washing your vehicles). Therefore, you may want to run a dedicated branch line from the untreated main water supply BEFORE it enters the softener, to every outdoor hose bib you requiring untreated water. This way you'll still get the soft water indoors, but nourishing hard water for your plants & garden outdoors.
You'll also need to run the softener's drain outlet either to a nearby drain or into a nearby laundry sink. I've often used hard piping because it looks nice and for longer runs, but you can usually get away with flexible tubing, which often comes with the softener if you're draining nearby.
Also, a mistake a lot of installers make is that they install the softener and keep it at its default settings without properly checking the exisitng hardness of water supply. This may result in either too much salt usage, or not enough softening. I recommend you take a sample of your untreated water either to a local service which tests hardness, or buy a kit to test it yourself so that you can set the softener to the appropriate hardness settings (known as Grains Per Gallon (GPG) or Parts Per Million (PPM)).
Do also take a look at the manufacturer's instructions, which will provide you with ample information to ensure a proper installation.
Hope this helps!
If you have a scale filter before the unit (as I do) would you need to do this?
I suppose it would depend on how well that scale filter is at removing calcium & magnesium. Sometimes even water softeners fail over time, or are not programmed to the proper settings.
Your best bet is to take a sample of your hot water coming out of a faucet and have it tested for hardness. If you learn that the water is actually soft (devoid of calcium and magnesium), then one could argue that there'd be no longer reason to descale.
If you do decide to test, please feel free to let me know, as I'm curious to know how well those filters actually work.
@@PlumbingsCool Sure thing. I have an electric echosmart 24kw. I purchase it in 2014. Ahead of the heater I have an expansion tank and before the expansion I have the filter. I change the filter every 6 months.
I am now about to change all 3 heating elements and the flow sensor while I have it out. I also just change the expansion tank for the first time. I will still flush my system as you did while I have it open. I was just wondering if it would be necessary if a filter was in place. I dont have the service ports but can remove the expansion tank and flush from the top... I think!
Can you make a video about water softening system, in particular the Trojan UV model mentioned in this video?
Water softening is an interesting subject, which works by exchanging calcium/magnesium ions for sodium ions, which removes hardness from the water...but the Trojan UV System is a completely different animal; a UV system does not soften or filter the water in any way. Rather, it deactivates the DNA of any parasites, bacteria, or viruses which may be present in the water by exposing them to UV light before it is distributed through the system...thereby preventing them from multiplying.
Is there anything else specific you'd like that you know or learn about?
@@PlumbingsCool Which system would you recommend for whole house water softening? Are they easy to retrofit into an older home?
For water softeners, I've often sourced the Viqua brand for my customers...although there are tons to choose from.
With respect to installation: Most softeners are actually designed for whole home installation. Generally, a softener is a relatively simple installation. It's generally a matter of cutting into the water distribution line at the home's water service (before it is delivered to any other fixture in the home, but after the meter), and routing the line into the inlet of the softener. The outlet then reconnects back into the other side of the distribution line you cut into. There's usually no need to install a bypass since most softeners have one built into the head in the event it must be serviced or installed.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
-You will need a nearby drain to route the softener's discharge during the regeneration cycle
-You will need a simple household power outlet (120V in North America) to power the unit (simple plug-in adapter; no hardwiring of the unit necessary)
-It's extra work, but if possible and accessible, you may want to run separate water supply lines to your outdoor hose bibs, which feed BEFORE the softener. This will prevent soft water from being wasted outdoors (exception: you may want outdoor soft water for washing your vehicle, which is easier on the paint finish)
-Finally, try to have your water analyzed to determine the hardness level so that you can properly program the softener so that it softens properly, and uses the right amount of salt.
Hope this helps!
(Hmmm, this topic might make a good video. 🤔)
Unfortunately I have not flushed/descaled our Rinnai since purchasing home in 5+ years ago. Is it too late? I have heard since it's been so long its best not to descale at this point. Or, should I still do the the descaling?
Hmm...If I were to guess, I'd presume that NOT descaling would cause more harm than good,and doing so would still be a "better late than never" scenario. The worst I'd image is that you won't remove all the built-up scaling on the first attempt.
But if you're in doubt, I suggest you call up or email Rinnai's tech support, which should be able to confirm the best route for servicing your heater to prolong its current life.
Thank you! @@PlumbingsCool
Hello! Thank you for your video. I just did my first descaling on my own and had a quick question. I used a gallon of water and a descaling powder. After about 30 minutes, nearly my entire bucket was filled with water. Did I do something wrong? Where is all of this extra water coming from? Thank you!
Hmmm...little tricky to assess without seeing it. However, I'm wondering whether all the residual water in the tank got drained before you started the process (possibly due to airlock).
One possible way to eliminate airlock is to shut down/isolate only the Cold side of the tank, and with the hot side valve kept open, go by a nearby faucet (preferably upstairs from the water heater. If possible) and open the hot. This would allow air to enter the hot piping, which may release any trapped water being held back by a vacuum. Be sure to have your hoses attached to the service valves with the other ends sitting in a bucket or drain to avoid a big puddle if/when the trapped water is released.
Hope this helps!
@@PlumbingsCool Thank you. I did think about this, but nearly 4 gallons seemed like a lot to be stored in the unit. I am really perplexed.
Thanks again!
Yeah, four gallons is certainly a bit much. It sounds like your source is coming from elsewhere. Either your cold water is passing, or perhaps you left the hot side open, thereby passing residual water from your home's hot water lines.
Please do feel free to let me know if if you find the source of water. I lose sleep over these mysteries!
I'm all ready to start descaling for the first time. Can the used vinegar be used for anything else after that? Seems like a waste to throw it all out.
I personally wouldn't recommend reusing the vinegar...most definitely not for any edible applications. Especially compared traditional descaling solutions (such as CLR), vinegar is quite inexpensive. Further, I'm not sure whether the vinegar will lose its effectiveness after it's been exposed to systems containing high amounts of scale. Given how sporadically tankless heaters require descaling, I'd be much more comfortable spending an extra two-to-three dollars per year knowing that I'd be subjecting my system to a fresh new batch of unused vinegar.
Hi does it matter if the pump is a 1/4 HP or a 1/6 HP when descaling tankless water heaters? Which one is better for descaling.
No, I don't think it'll make much of a difference. The important thing is that you get the vinegar circulating efficiently, even if it moves through the unit a little more slowly.
I can verify that 1/4 HP is really good...I have the exact pump they use in this video and it's really good. Used it a couple of times for this very situation.
I have an ecosmart eco18 tankless water heater. I dont have the red and blue service caps or flush valves. How do i still descale my water heater ?
Unfortunately, that's going to be a little tricky, since, without those valves, you have no way of isolating the unit from the rest of the water supply system to keep the vinegar/descaler circulating only within the heater.
I'm sorry to say, but the harsh truth is that if you don't have service valves, the only way to properly descale your system is to have a set of service valves installed first. The most cost effective solution might be to hire a licensed plumber to install the valves AND subsequently descale the system during the same visit to save yourself an extra service call charge.
Hope this helps.
what size pump should I use?
It doesn't need to be anything significantly large or even powerful. All you're looking for is circulation though the system. I think the one I used in the video is somewhere around 1/10th horsepower? Even less than that if you like. Whichever pump you use, you'll need to reduce the inlet and outlet to 3/4" hose bib thread to get the hoses on.
So i put the small water filter back in, go to slowly open the cold valve and water sprays everywhere out from the tiny water filter! I’ve tried re-seating it to make sure it’s sealed and same thing. Any ideas on what’s going on here?
EDIT:
was not pushing in cap far enough all good now
It's a little tricky to assess without being on site, but I would encourage you to check that:
-The filter is fully pushed into the heater (which you suggested you've done.
-The O-ring is not split, damaged or worn (you can try to match and replace the O-ring, although it must be a PRECISE replacement!!!)
-The plastic filter housing is not cracked or damaged
-There is no dirt or debris surrounding the O-ring or seating area within the unit. The slightest debris will cause a leak.
Also putting your finger inside the unit and feeling for any cracks or debris. Finally, run a small amount of Plumber's grease / silicone grease around the O-ring to ensure that it slips in properly, and to help it seal
Aside from the above suggestions, I unfortunately can't provide much more help without assessing it myself. But if I were to wager, my money would be on it being an O-ring issue. Please do feel free to share if you resolved your issue.
Best of luck!!
yep it was the first one. was NOT pushing in far enough !
thanks for the reply! still helping ppl years later 🙏🏽
AWESOME! Helping and educating is what it's ALL about! I'll always be around if anyone needs me...say, maybe even start pumping out some more videos again soon 🤔 (really getting that itch!)
This comment saved me. Also was not pushing far enough! Thanks for the reply!!
After circulation my water, I got a code twenty five and it's barely coming out of the hot wacirculating with Pop
I recommend that you first access your model's owner's manual (or online) to first find out what Code 25 is, and proceed from there.
I have restricted flow causing lukewarm water flow. I checked the inlet filter and it was quite clean so I did the vinegar procedure without success.
Is there anything stronger that I can use? The flow starts out ok but then is slows to a trickle. I tried reversing the hoses but get the same results.
Hmmm...I'm not too sure whether your issue is scaling in this case, and perhaps something else mechanical altogether. Although I can't even begin to troubleshoot your situation remotely, you did mention a few things which raise some red flags.
Notably, your water is lukewarm: Even if you had calcium buildup, your water is coming out so slowly that it should've come out hot. Also, I. Think you'd need quite a bit of calcium buildup to cause the restricted flow you're referring to.
If you're still convinced that your issue is the result of scaling, you might be able to try a dedicated descaler such as CLR...although I'd be very careful to check with the manufacturer's literature first. Also be sure to flush it thoroughly with clean water. You definitely don't want to be ingesting that stuff. In my experience though, simple white vinegar does an AMAZING job at removing scale.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help!
@@PlumbingsCool Thank for your response, I appreciate your help as well. Just to clarify, the flow restriction is during the flushing process with vinegar. It starts out pretty good then dwindles down to a trickle. Here’s the weird part, I have good water flow/pressure throughout the house during normal operation. The water starts out hot for a VERY short period before it gets lukewarm and stays that way.
That's strange indeed. I'm wondering whether you can call the manufacturer of your tankless heater. Ask for tech support, specifying your model number. More often than not, they can help you out because they know their own products so well. Just a thought.
@@PlumbingsCool that’s my next step. Being an automotive mechanic I’m pretty savvy at figuring things out and fixing them so I got myself to this point without favorable results. I’ll reach out to the manufacturer as I’ve hit a wall on this one.
Thank you and I’ll report back when I get it resolved so you can add to your diagnostic library.
Yes, please do! Given your mechanical aptitude, I'm sure you'll figure out this mystery. Thanks for sharing.
I hear mix things on gas off. Some say the heat can help the process. I mean the worst that can happen is you burn yourself from hot water right?
I'd caution against it, strictly due to a bad experience I had with an electric tea kettle several years ago when I was still working in the office. Our area had extremely hard water and someone had brought in a brand new tea kettle, of which the element completely caked up with scale in about two weeks.
I had the genius idea to run the tea kettle while filled with pure white vinegar, aligning with your logic, that it would descale more efficiently.
Well, descale it did!...ad well as burn right through the element!...not to mention engulf the entire office air with evaporated vinegar, causing my teary-eyed colleagues to rush out for gasps fresh air!
Moral of the story: Check with the manufacturer before doing so! 😁
👍🤘🤙
🙏!
Hot water shut off is FROZEN. Any ideas on freeing it up?
Do you mean, frozen as in SEIZED? If so, I'm afraid there's little you can do, short of carefully adding some leverage to the valve handle by trying to turn it with the use of pliers if you haven't yet tried. Unfortunately, you may need to shut down your main water supply, drain the building, and replace the entire valve.
(long-term failure is sadly one of the detriments of plumbing; eventually, water has its way with what it touches - some things a little sooner than others!)
By the way: For future consideration, one way to minimize seizing is to go around your house every several months or so, and open & close any infrequently-used valves. This will help minimize or remove scale buildup around the inner surfaces, which is the cause of seizure.
Thanks for replying. With perseverance we got it.
AWESOME!!! 👍 👍
I've heard that if you use Vinegar you must descale longer than if using those weird chemicals. One plumber claimed 4-5 hours! Another says 1 Hour. You say 30 minutes.....does anyone really know the appropriate time???
I suggest checking with the manufacturer, although in my experience straight white vinegar is extremely efficient at removing scale on short time. Circulating for one hour usually suffices for me. I've even soaked heavily scaled fixtures such as hand showers in vinegar for a few minutes, which effortlessly restored the surface to like-new condition.
We have ours descaled every year, and that's all the plumbers ever use. Simple old vinegar then charge $ 250-400. Usually here less than an hour.
Missing information, good luck people.
....Do you mean in my video, or in your comment? 🤔