Did you invest in a tankless water heater after being swayed by its claims of greater efficiency and on-demand hot water supply? Well, while that may be true, it doesn’t mean that your tankless water heater will never run into issues–especially since it’s served you well for the past few years. If you’ve recently have had a cold blast of water from your showerhead surprise you or if your system has suffered a breakdown, find out what’s wrong with your water heater system as soon as possible! Let’s take a look at some of the most common tankless water heater problems and how you can solve them.
Hard Water Mineral Buildup
Some areas receive hard water supply through the main water lines and this may eventually cause the system to shut down. 
It doesn’t matter if you have a traditional water heater or a tankless system, the mineral buildup inside the unit is damaging to both. Water rich in magnesium, calcium and iron forms hard sediments that settle inside the heating unit. After continuous usage, the white scaly debris gets stuck inside the the system’s valves and causes blockage. Some electric water heaters have sensors that detect mineral buildups and signal for a cleanup. The best remedy is to become proactive and flush the system every 6 months.
Cold Water Sandwich
Ever experienced a blast of cold water after the initial few seconds of hot water? You may have jumped in the shower right after someone showered. The situation you’ve experienced is aptly known as cold water sandwich. The only way to avoid this is to not be fooled by the leftover “handful” of hot water. Wait for the cold water to pass through and then start showering. Unfortunately, that’s how instant hot water units work; there is a delay of a few seconds as the hot water travels through the pipes.
Malfunctioning System
The demand for constant back-to-back hot water may cause the heating system to overload and malfunction. If you are a big family, it’s time to invest in a higher capacity tankless water heater to meet the high demands for hot water.
Startup Failure
Does your water heating system refuse to start? You might notice a flashing message that reads, “Ignition Failure”. This indicates an electrical or gas issue. Check the vents for blockages and make sure if there’s a propane liquid gas tank, it is up to level. For an electric tankless water heater, call a trained technician to fix any electrical damage or loose wires in the unit.
Flame Failure
Seeing a flashing message that reads “flame failure”? Run standard checks and make sure that the gas pressure and propane levels are normal. Open the gas valves and check the heating vents to ensure there isn’t any steam buildup. If the issue doesn’t have to do with gas pressure, it’s likely that an electrical malfunction has led to computer-generated shutdown. Call a trained technician for expert evaluation.
Corrosion and Blocked Vents
The water heater vents need to be cleaned as they get dirty and filthy with grime. The vents are needed to blow off the steam from the heating unit. As the vents are in use, the blockage and corrosion within the valves and pipes might cause the system to break down. Clear the vents and clean the corrosion by calling in a trained expert.