Water Heater FAQ: Why is My Tankless Water Heater Underperforming?
admin • January 21, 2013

Tankless water heaters are a great addition to many homes throughout the Tumwater, WA area. They offer many benefits over traditional tank water heaters. However, we often get calls from people that their tankless water heater isn’t providing them with enough hot water or that it is working inefficiently. At Brooks Plumbing , we’ve been providing quality plumbing services in Tumwater for almost 2 decades. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the most common reasons why your tankless water heater might be underperforming.

Gas Supply Problem

Tankless water heaters work very well when there is low to medium demand. When there is very high demand, tankless water heaters tend to experience problems. Tankless water heaters work by heating up water very quickly which a lot of gas. The gas line into your tankless water heater allows for a much higher flow of fuel. If there is a high demand on your water heater, as there is during high demand, the flow of gas might not be sufficient and the unit will shut down.

Tankless Water Heater Exhaust Vent

Your tankless water heater monitors the heat of the exhaust that is flowing out of it. The reason for that is because the exhaust from your tankless system can get very hot and needs to be exhausted very quickly. If that doesn’t happen properly, the unit will shut down.

Corrosion

Many high efficiency tankless water heaters can form condensation in the exhaust vent. This condensation is highly toxic and corrosive. Normally, the condensation is collected and drained away from the system. But if it drips down the system it can cause a lot of damage.

Hard Water

If your home has hard water, mineral deposits can build up in the system and cause huge problems. It can even lead to the system failing completely.

If you’re having issues with your tankless water heater, call the Tumwater Water Heater experts at Brooks Plumbing .We have years of experience offering services for tankless water heaters in Tumwater. Call us today!

Clogged kitchen sink line in Olympia, WA home needs drain cleaning pre-winter plumbing maintenance.
By Paul Lightfoot October 24, 2025
Holiday guests and freezing temps strain plumbing. Prevent clogs, backups, and cracked pipes with pre-winter drain cleaning. Schedule service with Olympia’s trusted pros.
Plumber insulating exposed pipes in a chilly basement to prevent frozen and burst lines in Olympia,
By Paul Lightfoot September 25, 2025
Heading into winter? Watch for frozen or burst pipes, water heater failures, and faucet leaks. Get prevention tips and fast repairs from Olympia’s trusted plumbers.
Copper pipes secured with white plastic clips on a white tiled wall.
By admin July 14, 2025
If you're planning a bathroom remodel in Olympia, WA, you’ve likely already picked out new tiles, fixtures, and paint—but have you thought about the pipes? The post Choose the Right Pipes for Your Bathroom Remodel first appeared on Brooks Plumbing Co..
Children playing in the sprinkler on a sunny lawn; girl in floral dress, boy in shorts, laughing.
By admin June 9, 2025
Many homeowners call us this time of year for drain cleaning in Tanglewilde, WA, often due to clogs caused by extra usage during school break. The post Kids Home For Summer? Follow These 7 Steps to Prevent Plumbing Problems first appeared on Brooks Plumbing Co..
A person's hand is touching a water heater's drain valve in a utility room with pink insulation.
By admin May 12, 2025
A leaky water heater might seem like a small inconvenience—until the damage starts to pile up. The post Faulty Water Heater Leaks: Mold, Rust, and More first appeared on Brooks Plumbing Co..
Bright white modern bathroom with a glass shower, soaking tub, and window.
By admin April 7, 2025
However, before you start picking out tiles or dreaming about rainfall showerheads, there’s one critical element you need to understand: the plumbing. The post Planning a Bathroom Reno? Here’s What You Need to Know About Plumbing first appeared on Brooks Plumbing Co..
Show More