Tankless Water Heater Descaling Preventive Maintenance Vinegar Flush (Rheem)

[@Johnditka]

I tried this step by step and worked really well. Thank you for this detail step by step video. Saved me lots of money and I have the tools for next time.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Good to hear!

[@markmariani57]

Steve, you are a younger version of my dad. We watched your video together and laughed as my dad realized you are the youtube version of him. Thanks for doing this video.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

You are lucky to have such a cool Dad! LOL. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@debbiejuly]

Thank you for this video. I just got my tankless water heater and knowing about this maintenance is valuable info. I plan to buy the supplies I will need one thing at a time so it won’t feel like I’m spending $100 at one time! Thanks again😊

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Good luck! I’m glad you found it helpful. The good news is that the parts should last a while and once you have them no need to call an expensive plumber!

[@davep2015]

Thank you so much for the video , I'm a hvac guy and this was my 1st time doing this... so easy the way you explained it... great job 👏 👍

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words!

[@toandiep8377]

Im not a handy man but I found your video very easy to follow. Thank you so much!

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Glad it helped!

[@roygreen1372]

Great concise, clear explanation. Very well done.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Thank you kindly!

[@jimdepaulful]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

You're welcome!

[@bullgumbeaux]

Definitely enjoyed the information and your presentation style. You're a good communicator.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Thanks! Much appreciated

[@SubSonicDistortion]

Great video, I flush mine this same way and its perfect! Easy, simple to do, cheap. Thank you

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Yes, surprisingly easy.

[@izcalirs]

Hello, First of all, I want to you for uploading such a instructional video on how to flush tankless water heater. PERFECT INSTUCTIONS! I have question on my unit, I have cleaned the filters and flushed system. But prior to tackling this task, I noticed my unit was blowing AC/5amp fuses. I am ready to turn it back on, after cleaning filters and flushing tank. Any idea for fuses to get blown? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you My Tankless is: Navien Model #: NR-210A(NR)

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Thanks for the feedback. I could only speculate regarding the blown fuses. Perhaps when the unit kicks on to heat water, it’s taxing the fuse. Some fuses go bad over time and need to be replaced. I had one that would randomly blow when I turned on a simple hall light switch. Electrician came out and replaced it and I don’t have the issue any more.

[@dougswiger3465]

What size pump are you using to flush with thanks for your help doug

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

I use a 1/6 horsepower.

[@hussainsajwani]

Great video. Very thorough!

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad it was helpful.

[@charlesthomas4501]

What happens if you don't turn the gas off. I have a Gas. Regulator Just. Before the unit

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

It is generally recommended that the gas be off for safety reasons. Though I have seen posts online (Reddit, etc) where people say they have left on the gas and say there weren’t any problems in doing so. Nevertheless, Rheem says don’t do it and warn that damage can occur. See here: www.drftps.com/wp-content/uploads/Rheem_tankless_flushing.pdf

[@DavisInDuval]

So weird, mine wasn’t returning from the hot side. I had to turn the hot side handle on then off a few times and it kicked on. My pump kept stopping and I was wondering why. I think the vinegar wasn’t going anywhere so it had a shut off.

[@DavisInDuval]

It had a lot of dirty scales in there, I think it was close to not working again so glad I did this! Also, my Rheem doesn’t have two valves per side, only one.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Interesting. I’d be curious to see a photo of how your connectors are set up. Seems like this would make it much less convenient to do the cleaning.

[@DavisInDuval]

@@ThingsEvenICanDo essentially whenever you turn off the water source your automatically turning on the auxiliary. Like a 90° switch.

[@romyromes]

One thing that concerned me is when I turned the pump on, everything “sounded ok” but I didn’t see, for example, water gushing out of the hot water hose. I expected to see some noticeable water coming out (with the expectation I wouldn’t see water going in because the motor obviously wouldn’t let me “see it”. Should it be very obvious water is coming out the hot end when you turn on the motor?

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Water should come out of the hot hose when the pump is running. The pump sends water to the water heater and it then returns to the bucket out of the hot side hose.

[@romyromes]

@ yea. Ok I think my assumption is right. The pump is on but it’s not circulating water. Thanks for your time (and video!)

[@valentinomana1496]

Perfect Video, Gracias

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Good to hear that it was helpful.

[@rongray4118]

I was told not to use a submersible of this size - too many gallons per minute. Is this true or have you ever had a problem using your submersible pump on your unit? We have a RHEEM.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Interesting. I have not heard of any problems, but I did see a couple mentions on the Internet to "be careful" with a pump more powerful than 1/4hp. In an abundance of caution, I have updated my recommendation to a 1/6hp which is consistent with the one Rheem sells. I also included a link to the Rheem set for those interested.

[@rongray4118]

@@ThingsEvenICanDo no worries from me! I say if it works - use it! I ordered the same pump you are using off Amazon! Thanks. We are on well water and it is a pita to keep this clean even with filtration system. Thanks!

[@xbubblehead]

I already had a 1/2 HP pump and used that with no problem.

[@herbertallison36]

Super helpful, thank you!!!

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

You're so welcome!

[@travisbroussard5368]

Great video. Thank you!

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Glad you liked it!

[@Alan-oq3mb]

Great instructional! Thanks!

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bill7078]

gas or electric same process ? no filter in electric heater ,am i correct ?

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

I’m not sure about electric. Seems like it would be the same but I don’t have any experience with them.

[@HazelDaYellowLab]

So I did this and don’t understand why I was getting more water returned than what was being put in…it seemed to be at a rate of approx 1.5 more water out than in….not an even in/out flow

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

This likely means that you did not fully shut off the incoming water supply. When the pump is off, check the outgoing hose. No water should be flowing out at all. If there is, tighten the incoming knob. See video at about 4:55

[@SubSonicDistortion]

Agree, sound like your city shut off is not fully closing, could be a bad valve. Just put a hose on it and see what comes out with the city side off, if you get a flow still you have to fix your shut off.

[@cputecch]

Electric works completely different electric water heaters get more calcification because of the manner that they heat up

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Thanks for the info

[@BuffCluff]

lol let the vinegar go in your pipes it will just keep those clean too since you have to purge your lines it will help clean the baffles inside

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

Hmmm.

[@rcmechanialgroup2856]

You don't have to do it for 90 minutes.

[@ThingsEvenICanDo]

If you do it regularly, 90 minutes may be on the long side. I'd recommend 45-90 minutes depending on how hard your water is, and how often you do it.

[@scottpaddock3888]

On another video they said to run the cycle for 30 minutes if using a commercial descaling chemical or 90 minutes when using household vinegar. So it sounded like the vinegar wasn't as strong and needed to circulate for more time to break down the buildup. I don't think it hurts anything to cycle it longer, but it would be a bit of a waste if it wasn't run long enough to get the full benefit. So when in doubt, I'd err on the side of running longer. :-)