
Most people don't think about their tankless water heater until something goes wrong. That's exactly the situation we're trying to help homeowners avoid. Routine maintenance - specifically an annual flush - is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment and keep hot water flowing without interruption.
We just wrapped up an annual flush service on a Rheem outdoor tankless unit here in Arlington. Here's the short version of why this matters: over time, mineral deposits and scale build up inside the heat exchanger. Left alone, that buildup forces the unit to work harder, drives up energy costs, and eventually shortens the lifespan of the system.
The flush process involves circulating a descaling solution through the unit to break down that mineral buildup. It's not complicated, but it does need to be done right - with the proper setup, the right solution, and enough time for the flush to actually do its job. We don't rush through it.
Beyond the flush itself, we use these visits to check the unit for anything else that might need attention. Loose connections, pressure concerns, error codes - catching small things early is always cheaper than dealing with a full breakdown later. That's the whole point of preventive service.
If your tankless unit hasn't been flushed in the last year - or if you're not even sure when it was last serviced - that's a good sign it's time to get it on the schedule. Tankless systems are built to last, but only when they're taken care of.