Do You Have A Tankless Water Heater

Do you own a tankless water heater at home? If so, you need to know some things about how to take good care of your tankless water heater in order for it to perform well and make it last longer.

Below are some common problems with tankless water heaters and tips on how to troubleshoot them:

Tankless Water Heater Problem #1: No ignition (The burner does not ignite when hot water tap is open)

Make sure that the fuses in the control are okay.
In order to prevent problems with the water heater, make sure that the unit is properly grounded.
Proper gas pressure that comes to your tankless water heater must be provided.
Make sure that the gas valve really opens.
Check if the flow sensor works fine.
An inlet filter might be clogged and dirty. Simply clean it.
Check for the right cold and hot water installation. Ensure that the lines are not installed in reverse order.

Tankless Water Heater Problem #2: Flame Failure

Check if proper venting is installed.
The length of the vent must be within limits as specified by the manufacturer.
Make sure that the proper voltage is within normal limits.

Tankless Water Heater Problem #3: Temperature Fluctuates

Make sure that there are no restrictions in the flow such as faucet aerators and clogged showerheads.
Clean the filter if it is filthy.
Make sure that the water pressure does not fluctuate.
Check for plumbing crossover.

Tankless Water Heater Problem #4: Overheating and Thermal Fuse Failure

Tankless water heaters utilize temperature sensors in order to protect the heater from overheating as well as exceeding the maximum acceptable temperature on the heat exchanger.

The sensor is dirty. Clean it.
There is a low flow inside the heat exchanger.
There is a presence of foreign materials inside the vent and the combustion chamber. Clean it.
The heat exchanger might be clogged. Unclog it.
The airflow around the heater and the vent terminal is blocked. Find out the cause of the blockage and get rid of it.

Tankless Water Heater Problem #5: Water is Too Hot

The selected temperature on your tankless water heater might be too high. Simply select the lower temperature setting.
The inlet filter could be dirty – just clean it.
Ensure that there are no water path obstructions, including showerheads or faucet aerators.
Temperature sensors might be loose – ensure that the sensors are firmly mounted and are really making contact.

Tankless Water Heater Problem #6: Water Is Not Hot Enough

The selected temperature on your tankless water heater might be too low. Simply select the higher temperature setting.
If the running water is cold, just increase the flow so the minimum required pressure is met. Do keep in mind that you will not immediately feel the hot water as it takes some time for hot water to reach the tap. Remember that the longer the distance between the tankless water heater unit and your fixture, the longer it gets for the hot water to reach there.
Make sure that the temperature sensors are firmly mounted on the pipes and are making contact.

Other Tankless Water Heater Problems You Might Encounter

If you experience low water pressure or flow, then it may indicate that you could possibly have too many hot water applications that are running simultaneously. Greater draw will normally result in an increased drop in pressure. Another cause for the low flow may be that there is a dirty cold water inlet screen present.

In case your water heater freezes during the cold winter days, the heat exchanger could possibly burst. This is the reason why gas and electricity needs to be supplied so that the freeze protection can activate. Another solution for this is to install the auto drain down the solenoid valves.

How to Prevent Tankless Water Heater Problems

Regular and yearly inspection, as well as periodic maintenance, is necessary in order to keep your tankless water heater unit running and performing well. The water heating system and unit parts must be inspected at least once per year in order to minimize the chances of tankless water heater problems.

Do inspect the venting system.
Do clean the burner, circulating air passageways, and the control compartments.
Do keep the fan and motor free from dirt and dust.
Do a visual inspection of the flame to make sure that it burns with a blue, clean, and stable flame and see if it burns evenly on the whole surface of the burner.
Flush the heat exchanger using a descaling solution in case the mineral buildup is evident.
Do keep the area around the vent exhaust-free from ice and snow.

Take note that there are some prolonged activities that are done by certain heater elements such as when the fan continues to run even after you turn off the hot water tap. This is actually a normal phenomenon and it only lasts for a short period of time to make sure that every residual product of combustion is thoroughly vented out.

Another frequent problem or complaint which is absolutely normal in tankless water heater operation is the white smoke that comes out of the exhaust. This is typically normal during the cold season, when the exhaust fume temperature is very much hotter than the air outside since the fume consists of lots of condenses and water vapor.

It is actually good to know as well that sometimes safety features would be triggered, and these are not caused by the tankless water heater problems as mentioned above. There are times that the tankless water heater unit will possibly stop operating under situations such as:

Flame failure – the water heater will shut down in case the flame is out.
Overheating – the water heater unit will automatically shut down if the appliance exceeds a predetermined temperature level.
Blown fuse – the fuse will tend to blow if their overcurrent takes place.
Power failure – in case the appliance loses power, the safety feature built-in it will instantly cut the gas off.
Fusible link – the fusible link will tend to break if extreme temperature levels occur.

This blog was posted by San Antonio’s Plumber

Any Car Accident Attorney Will Have Some Important Questions For You.

Have you had a car accident in the last 12 months?
Were you injured and still off work?
Do you feel like you deserve compensation?
Do you feel like you’ve heard all these questions on dozens of commercials?

Every car accident attorney is out to get your case, and most offer some sort of incentive, from “no win, no fee” to “no down payment.”

This guide will take you through the top 4 things to look out for when looking for an accident attorney to represent you.

Reputable office space. It sounds ridiculous, but the number of people who take on attorneys who work out of offices above pizza restaurants or their own homes is vast. If an attorney doesn’t have the money to afford good office space downtown, they are likely to be unsuccessful in court and thus unlikely to win your case.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. With all the offers abounding, it can be worse than trying to pick a good cheap restaurant.

Check with other attorneys to see if the offer is feasible legally. Obviously, if it isn’t, look elsewhere. If it is, try looking them up online to see if there are other client reviews to see if they are good for their word.

Check their track record. It should be easy to contact your local court and get copies of recent legal proceedings involving your potential new attorney.
This may take a while to sort through, but it will give you a good idea of the success rate your attorney is generating in similar cases.

Lawyers are paid to talk and to paint verbal pictures of what they want a judge and jury to see, so don’t necessarily believe the statistics that you’re given.

Read the small print. When you allow an attorney to take on your case, you have to sign a contract that will fix payments, rewards, and consultation hours. Make sure you read these carefully to make sure that you are paying the amounts that you agreed, that the attorney isn’t taking an extortionate cut of any compensation and that you know when you can contact your attorney.

Those are the 4 key things that you need to consider when you’re looking to hire a car accident attorney.

By making sure you follow these simple steps while looking for auto accident attorneys, you can save yourself a lot of hard work and hassle, and hopefully, end up with the compensation that you rightly deserve!

This blog was posted by Ford and Laurel Attorneys Laredo, Texas

Electricians – Electrical Contractors – Residential Services

If you are ever in doubt about the safety of any electrical appliance, equipment, wiring or installation, contact a registered electrician. A safety check by a qualified tradesman can be an excellent investment for the well-being of your family and the protection of your property.

Make it a habit to unplug small appliances when they are not in use. Always make sure that small appliances like jugs, toasters, and irons are working correctly. There should be no strange noises, overheating or burning odors.

As soon as you have finished using any electrical appliance (and it has had time to cool down), put it away so that children don’t have easy access to it.

You can avoid your clothes dryer from overheating and creating a fire hazard, by regularly cleaning the air filter.

Take particular care with heating appliances. Have them checked regularly to ensure that they are safe. When in use, always make sure that they are stable and unlikely to topple over. Keep them well away from any item that is likely to catch fire.

Electric sockets and switches should be checked regularly. Check to see if they are working properly and to see if they are damaged. Faceplates should feel cool when touched and should not be cracked or broken.

Plugs should fit securely into sockets. Loose plugs are dangerous.

Don’t overload electrical sockets with too many appliances. Ensure that there is never more than one heater plugged into an electrical outlet.

If you have toddlers or young children, the use of safety plugs (caps) is highly recommended. These are readily available from nursery stores, hardware shops, electrical stores, and many supermarkets.

Are the bulbs in your light fittings the correct wattage? Many light fittings have a maximum wattage rating, so it always pays to check that you’re not exceeding the maximum recommended wattage.

Are your electric cords in a good, safe condition? If the outer covering is cracking or fraying, replace the cords immediately. When checking your cords, unplug them first and ensure that no internal wires are visible.

Minimize fire risk by not running cords near sharp-cornered furniture or through doorways. Take care to avoid running cords in areas where there is a likelihood of them being tripped on.

Never run electric cords beneath mats or rugs. If they get damaged, they quickly become a very real fire hazard.

Electric cords should be run along a wall rather than across a room. Staples and nails should never be used to secure electric cords. They can easily damage the cords and make them unsafe. Use tape or proper cable clips to safely secure electric cords. Make sure that furniture is not standing on electric cords as the cords can become damaged and unsafe very quickly.

Whenever possible, use cordless electric jugs. When a cord is in use, keep it short and out of the reach of children.

When you’re storing your electric blankets, make sure that they are stored flat, without sharp folds. Sharp folds can damage the internal wiring. Check for any scorch marks and to ensure that there are no exposed wires. Take them to an electrical appliance service shop to have them safety checked.

Never have electric blankets in use on beds where young children may be going to sleep. Bedwetting can easily result in electrocution.

Have a licensed electrician check that your fuses or circuit breakers are correctly rated for the circuits in your home.

Never use electrical equipment in wet conditions. Always make sure that you use electrical equipment that is suitable for the environment you are working in. As an example, if conditions are damp, use a cordless drill.

Should an electrical fire occur, it’s important that you have multi-purpose fire extinguishers in your home AND that your family members know how to use them properly and safely.

Regular checks of the electrical appliances, equipment, and cords in your home are time well spent. Keep your family safe and protect your property by consulting a registered
San Antonio electrician.