Who Fixes Tankless Water Heaters? Everything You Need to Know
Call a trusted local plumber if you need to fix your tankless water heater
Tankless water heaters are convenient and efficient—but the moment they stop working, it can have a big impact on your daily routine. Hiring a local plumber to diagnose the issue and repair the tankless water heater is the best route for an easy fix; attempting DIY repair, especially if you don’t have prior experience or the right tools, can easily cause more damage.
Benefits of Hiring a Plumber for Tankless Water Heater Repair
If your tankless water heater stops working, you’ll want to call up a tankless water heater pro near you immediately. These experienced plumbers can easily diagnose and fix the problem or, in the case of an older unit, recommend a replacement (and install it for you).
Here are a few benefits of hiring a licensed plumber for tankless water heater repair:
Proper Tools
Repairing a tankless water heater may require specific tools you don’t have. While you can purchase or rent these tools, the costs can easily go as high as they would when hiring a plumber to tackle the job for you. Rather than splurge on tools you’ll rarely use (and may not know how to operate safely), it often makes sense to simply pay the cost of plumbing repair and have a pro take charge.
Timely Fix
Plumbing repair takes a lot of time and effort, especially if you are a novice. Rather than dedicate the weekend to researching the proper fix, purchasing or renting the necessary tools, and rolling up your sleeves to get the work done, you can simply call a plumber and have the job done in an afternoon.
Guaranteed Work
Licensed plumbers carry liability insurance. If they make a mistake during repairs or installation, you won’t have to worry about additional repair costs. Always ask a plumber if they’re licensed before they begin work, and ask about their policy for additional repairs if their first fix doesn’t work.
Similarly, if you have a home warranty that covers your water heater, the policy likely requires that you use a licensed plumber to make the repairs.
Safety
Working with water heaters, whether gas or electric, can be dangerous. Hiring a knowledgeable plumber who specializes in tankless water heater repair ensures someone who knows what they’re doing—and how to perform repairs safely—is calling the shots. If you attempt to DIY the repair (or call an inexperienced handyperson), you risk injury to yourself and potential damage to the water heater.
Can I DIY Tankless Water Heater Repair?
If you know what the issue is with your tankless water heater, it may be worth trying to DIY the solution. At the very least, attempting a few water heater troubleshooting tips before calling a plumber can make sense.
For instance, press the reset button to reset your water heater to see if that resolves the problem. Similarly, if your tankless gas water heater isn’t igniting, it may be as simple as refilling your propane.
However, for more complex problems, particularly as they relate to electric, gas, frozen pipes, and blockages in the pipes and exhaust, you should always call in a professional.
Can I Hire an Electrician to Repair a Tankless Water Heater?
Some tankless water heaters are electric, in which case they may experience electrical issues. Specifically, if your tankless water heater has a broken internal breaker or malfunctioning electrical components, a local electrician would be the right pro to tackle the job.
However, an electrician can’t diagnose and repair most tankless water heater problems. The majority are best left to traditional plumbers and natural gas plumbers near you (the latter in the case of a gas water heater).
How Do Plumbers Fix Tankless Water Heaters?
Water heater repair costs an average of $600, but because of the dangers involved—both in injuring yourself and causing further damage to the water heater—we highly recommend calling a professional plumber to fix your tankless water heater.
The plumber will start by inspecting the unit to determine the cause of the problem. Various water heater components may be causing the issue, including the thermocouple, anode rod, or gas valve. If a part is faulty, the plumber will replace it. The plumber may also flush the water heater if necessary; flushing a water heater costs $75 to $200 on average.
It really comes down to what’s wrong with the water heater. Problems can include:
The tankless water heater not igniting
Water temperature changes from hot to cold to hot
A foul odor in the water
Discolored water
Sediment buildup in the water heater
Frozen pipes
A plumber’s approach will depend on the problem. In some instances, the plumber may recommend replacing the tankless water heater entirely. Installing a new tankless water heater costs an average of $2,550.