Tankless Water Heater Flushing Fountain Valley
Is your tankless water heater acting weird? Strange noise? Water pressure gone weak? You probably need tankless water heater flushing Fountain Valley homes should get done every year. These things need regular flushing to clean out mineral buildup—otherwise, they start breaking down fast.
We use a special flush pump and food-grade descaler that’s safe but strong. It gets all the hard water scale out from inside the heater. The process usually takes about 90 minutes, start to finish. We connect, cycle the solution, rinse the system, and test it before we leave.
If you skip this service too long, the buildup starts frying the inside parts. Then you’re not just flushing—you’re replacing. Don’t wait that long. Book now for a quick, mess-free service with results you can feel the same day.
Local Story: La Capilla Ave & Adobe River Ave
Few weeks back we had a job near La Capilla Ave and Adobe River, right down the street from Los Alamos Park. This couple hadn’t done a flush since the unit was installed 5 years ago. They thought it was “self-cleaning” because the builder never explained maintenance.
Water took forever to heat up. Showers kept turning cold halfway through. We opened the unit and it was gunked up—calcium all over the heat exchanger. Even worse, it was flashing a Code 14 Overheat Error from the control panel. That happens when the heat exchanger gets too hot and the flow is restricted by scale.
We hooked up the pump, ran our food-grade cleaner, and within an hour the system was flowing like new. Hot water returned, no more weird sounds, and the error cleared right away. We also added a small expansion tank to protect the plumbing from pressure spikes after flushing.
Now they’re on a yearly schedule. One simple visit saved them a big repair bill.
Why Tankless Units Need Flushing
Tankless water heaters still touch hard water every day—even though they don’t hold gallons like the old tanks. That means minerals from the city water build up inside the heating chamber.
In Fountain Valley, the water’s medium-hard, so after 12 months that scale gets thick. It clogs up the system, lowers water pressure, makes the unit loud, and can overheat the heating element.
Annual flushing keeps things running smooth and keeps the warranty valid.
Need a Local Plumber In Fountain Valley?
Professional Plumbing provides free plumbing inspections for current homeowners during business hours. A small fee applies for homes in escrow or for sale, which can be credited toward repair costs if we're hired.
Chart: How Often to Flush (Based on Water Hardness)
| Water Hardness (PPM) | Flush Every | Area Examples |
| 0–60 (Soft) | Every 18–24 mo | Some parts of Irvine |
| 61–120 (Moderate) | Every 12 mo | Most of Fountain Valley |
| 121+ (Hard) | Every 6–9 mo | Northern Huntington Beach |
Source: Fountain Valley 2023 Water Quality Report
https://www.fountainvalley.org/DocumentCenter/View/12220/2023-Annual-Water-Quality-Report
What’s Included in a Tankless Flush
When we flush your tankless water heater, here’s everything we handle:
- Hook up our high-flow flush pump and hoses to the service valves.
- Add biodegradable, food-grade descaler—safe on copper and plumbing.
- Recirculate the solution through the heat exchanger for 45–60 minutes.
- Rinse the system with clean water until the lines run clear.
- Inspect for signs of internal wear, rust, or scale damage.
- Check for any error codes or performance issues.
- Clean the inline filter and inspect isolation valves.
- If needed, we’ll recommend or install a thermal expansion tank to protect against pressure surges.
- Check the gas manifold for dirt or debris and clean it if needed—for a small additional fee.
It’s not just a flush—it’s a full checkup.
DIY Mistakes Homeowners Make
We’ve seen it all—folks trying to flush their tankless with a bucket and a garden hose. That doesn’t work. One guy near Heil Ave and Brookhurst poured vinegar in and let it sit. Problem is, that just softens the scale, it doesn’t flush it. Another used industrial acid that melted part of his drain line.
We always use food-grade descalers that are safe for your plumbing but tough on calcium. Plus, our recirculating pumps move the solution through the whole system to clean it properly.
Trying to DIY this usually leads to clogs, leaks, or even shutting down the whole system. It’s cheaper and safer to let us do it the right way.
Related Services
- Tankless Water Heater Installation
- Inline Water Filter Setup
- Annual Water Heater Maintenance
- Thermal Expansion Tank Installation
FAQ
Once every 12 months is best for our area’s water quality.
The system clogs up, gets noisy, and starts heating slower—or stops heating completely.
Not by itself. Vinegar alone doesn’t remove scale unless it’s pumped through properly.
We use food-grade, biodegradable descalers made for tankless heaters—safe and effective.
Around 60 to 90 minutes depending on your setup.
