A Los Angeles homeowner took to Reddit after a plumber recommended replacing a 2017 Rheem tankless water heater for $7,000. Instead of accepting that verdict, the poster wanted to know whether descaling the unit as a DIY project might be worth trying.
Here's what to know
In a thread, the homeowner described their water as "pretty hard" and said lime was on faucets around the house. They added that they did not have records from the previous owner.
The homeowner said a plumber blamed a lack of maintenance and recommended replacing the heater. The plumber said that descaling might break the unit, a claim the poster doubted as they weighed the cost with "a new baby on the way."
Among the replies, users urged the homeowner to try maintenance first. "Just buy a kit on Amazon and flush it yourself," one wrote. "... YouTube has plenty of videos."
Another commenter offered a nearly identical suggestion: "Do it yourself. It's simple and takes about an hour. Plain ole vinegar works good to clean."
More background
Another user said lime on the faucets was a sign that mineral scale may also be present inside the tankless unit.
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They also warned that clearing years of buildup can create new problems, writing that loosened deposits may "cause pieces of lime to break parts of the tankless (flow sensor, for example) or clog the heat exchanger."
The commenter framed that risk as standard caution in the trade: "The last company I worked for, if it had been four or more years since a descale, we made the customer sign a liability waiver saying we weren't responsible for any issues after descaling."
In other words, some companies view long-overdue descaling as a liability issue.
What can be done?
"Flush it and move on," one commenter suggested. "Plumber was trying to take advantage of you. Buy your own kit. It's super easy."
A user with experience cleaning neglected units said some "did start leaking, but only a few out of many."
Not everyone urged immediate action. As one commenter put it, "If you are not having an issue currently, I would probably let it ride with a plan to replace in the future." That approach would avoid a large expense and give the homeowner time to prepare for a replacement.
Where can I learn more?
Homeowners deciding whether to flush, repair, or replace a water heater often run into the same questions.
• One owner asked whether regular flushing could buy 15 more years after nine neglected seasons.
• In one apartment, a DIY flush sent rust through fixtures and created new plumbing headaches.
• After six years without upkeep, a homeowner faced a $4,500 repair quote and reconsidered replacement.
• In Seattle, a homeowner debating annual flushes was pointed toward an anode rod instead.
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