The complete procedure to flush a tankless heater.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 13 січ 2025
- This was a requested video by two tankless company's Navien and Rinnai.
Tech. support have been getting hundreds of calls. pretraining to units not working, very bad hot water pressure or no water at all, broken water service valves, leak in heat exchangers etc.
It very important to use a licensed plumber trained to the highest level of the tankless company you have installed in your home. If you had the tankless installed use the plumber who installed it. If it's a new home call or look upon the company's website for a qualified installer, servicer. I know everybody wants to save money, but this will cost you more immediately or on the long run.
I decided to add a second part to this video because I felt it was important to show the final steps to get the tankless back up and running. This happens to be a Rinnai RUR199IP, but the procedure is the same for any other tankless condensing and non-condensing interior or exterior. The only tankless this would not be used for is the Navien NPE series A2 with the internal pump. (See my last video)
The tools you will need is a pump with hoses Flow Air is the one we use.
Vinegar or some sort of tankless cleaner.
5 gallon bucket
rags
The tankless tool www.thetanklesstool.com
5/8" socket and ratchet
brushes and gun swabs.
Please, like, subscribe and share this video,
I hope you enjoy this video,
Mike
PLEASE USE A LICENSED PLUMBER TRAINED IN THE HIGHEST-LEVEL TRAINING OF YOUR TANKLESS COMPANY. FOLLOW ALL LOCAL AND NATIONAL PLUMBING AND GAS CODES AND TO FILE A PERMIT WITH YOUR LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
Thank you so much for this full tutorial. As someone that just went from heavily corroded galvanized pipes to a pex repipe, this service is in dire need. Just got your tool, just waiting on the new filters. Will be back here Monday after I break something else while in there lol.
Sir, what about the other filter on the left side. Have you also removed that and cleaned it. Thank you.
Hey bro I put in a rinnai ru130in on my house myself using pex a pipe. You did a clean install but if you watch uponor's training courses you should put a little more space inbetween expansion fittings. Should be a good 6in on a 3/4 line before you use another fitting, looks like you're leak free but just remember that. Also your drip leg needs to be 3in minimum, you can fix that by getting a 3" pipe at home depot and threading the cap on that, otherwise it's not a drip leg.
We clean the screen and then put it back so it catches the debris from the pump. Then we clean it again at the end of the cleaning.
that's how I do it too
💯
Fantastic addition to our island kitchen
What about having a clean and disinfected bucket before you run your solution through the unit that bucket doesn’t clean ?
Ok, so did you shut off the gas? I did not see you do that and I did not hear you mention that as part of the process.
Did everything you did put my unit won't flush and circulate
Is it a Rheem? Mine won’t either. There’s an internal flow control valve that is normally closed when the unit is not running. Not 100% sure, but I believe you have to remove power to the unit when it is flowing hot water to keep that electronically-controlled valve open for the flush. Either that, or plugging it back in momentarily with the flush pump running to get the valve to come open, then unplugging it again. All this with gas valved off of course.
I’m a handy homeowner and have been doing the flush myself following your older video since it felt totally manageable. I haven’t inspected the venturi, air filter, etc, since I didn’t know about it. That work is outside my competence. Is it critical to maintain all those other parts proactively or only if I get a code? If so I may switch over to having a Rinnai-certified plumber do the work. Thanks.
Agreed. Just came from the other simple videos and this is way over my pay grade. I’m also confused about the filter part. As I recall it the filter comes out easily? Unless I’m thinking of the bypass filter for recirc and this filter is seperate? Best part is I’ll hire someone for $350 in Los Angeles and they’ll probably do it the simple way 🤦🏻♂️
What would prevent, or stop , the flow out of the Exit Port???
Great job thanks Sir.
Thanks for your videos. What is the procedure after the venturi is removed for cleaning is it just to clean the nozzle or something else. The Code 15 video shows how to remove and replace a new one. I don' remember you recommending this item on Rinnia's annual cleaning before. Thanks
I have a Rheem and when I run the pump nothing comes out of the hot water side. Is there a trick when you’re powering it down to keep the internal flow valve open?
Same problem with Rinaii
Very good im proud of you
Thank you for this great video. I have an old Rinnai RC80HP (Canada) from at least 2010. It started making groaning noises whenever the water is shut off, and over time it's now an extremely loud screeching that can be heard throughout the house and sounds as if some internal pipe is about to burst. At the same time, the pressure relief valve lets some water out. The rental company sent a technician to flush it for about 45 minutes, but with no change in the noise. The bucket went from being clear to rusty red, and they said it looks really bad and they could come back and do another flush if I wanted. Does it sound like a flush will eventually fix this, or should they be looking at something else? Thanks so much!
Mike, I have a Renee RL 75 I I have an issue with water starting hot and then ending up cold and not going hot again. I have watched your videos before and I have flushed. I have changed the servo I have put in new turbines and new sensors with nothing helping, I’ve been having this problem on and off for several years. Is it possible that my piping is incorrect when they installed it? Meaning the water pipes are wrong. The venting is 100% correct I have verified that by the way I have also cleaned the fan double check the dip switches, so I’m at a loss.
Must I have a minimum of 50psi for water pressure to use a Rannai water heater?
I have a Rinnai tankless boiler i150SN for baseboard heating (not a Combi boiler just baseboard heating) so my question is do I need to have plumber install service valves on a tankless boiler and descale once a year? Or because it’s a closed loop circulating the same water I should leave it alone? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
What to do when the venture code upon ?
I don't see an emergency pressure relief valve and drain. Am I missing something? Is it not required in this location?
Are you familiar with the rue 199 I haven't seen any videos on this unit I bought it at a discount I hope I made a good choice, could you help
I have a 6 part series on the RUR 199 unit. It’s very good
Thank you so very much
Do I need an expansion tank with a dedicated loop?
where did you get those swabs and what size are they?
It’s an assorted pack of gun swabs 12 and 20 gauge shotgun. Amazon sells them
Thanks very much for all of your tankless advice. We have a brand new Rinnai. Our first Tankless. We also have an LG front load clothes washer. The washer has always filled in “steps” or pulses like open-closed, open-closed until it has the water level it wants. With the new Rennai that means that as the washer fills with water the Rinnai is on-off on-off etc. maybe 5-6 times Is this ok for the Rinnai. We love the new tankless. Pete M.
Thanks for the info 👍
Your welcome
Hit the filter with condensed air and use needle nose pliers and it would have came right out…
Thanks for sharing! Just bought the tankless tool!
Sir were buy the tankless tool?
@@3095Alex This’s the website I bought the tool from last year!
Whats the difference between flushing and descaling
Do you need to turn off gas to the unit? Didn't see that in the video. Or does it not matter because there is no power to the unit?
Always
Mr Mike where can I buy your removing filter tool?
Any ideas on freeing up the hot water shut off?
Exhaust hole are too big need to get an reducer, that's what happen to mine. Hot water shut off on fullblast code 12
Never saw you shutoff gas. Is that also recommended?
The video is lacking at times. Doing a video that misses something as critical as turning off the gas seems inexcusable. Videos by others for a flush are better. Also the message delivered is confusing. He says call a plumber but then tells you where to buy flushing products. Also recommends watching his other videos around servicing. He absolutely knows the business but the delivery of the videos need some help.
Excellent 👍
So quick question what did you use to flush the tank cause you did not say nothing on that.
We use flow aid
I was about to flush my Rannai and I noticed that there was no shut off on the dedicated recirc line….so there was no way to isolate the unit.
Am I missing something, or did the plumber mess up and forgot one shut off valve?
Thanks
rinnai says to leave the filter on when flushing
Rinnai is wrong. If you leave the filter on when flushing you will not get the GPM through the heat exchanger also sediment in your bucket will clog the filter also decreasing the flow. The pump will flush out all debris from the exchanger during the flush.
This is a very good video and I learned some things new. Thanks!
How much do you charge for a water heater flush?
$150.00 for a non condensing and $200.00 for a condensing unit. Plus $50.00 if we have to change the filter. Mike
With gas prices nowadays I’m charging 120 just to show up at someone’s house lol 250 for flush
What’s up with that Drip Leg! You keep stressing Certified plumber, that Drip Leg is not Certified .. HVAC Instructor/Contractor “certified” ...
I have a Rinnai Tankless water heating RUCS75I I ALREADY CHANGE THE TURBINE AND THE FLOW SENSOR. I GET FLUCTUATION AND THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER WHEN I’M SHOWERING AND YOU HAVE TO RUN THE WATER FULL BLAST FOR THE UNIT TO START HEATING THE WATER. HOW DO I FIX THIS ? What else could be the problem?
First, turn off the machine, then unplug it and plug it back in rapidly, at least ten times in 30 seconds…then, take the front panel off. Once off, with a 2.5lb hammer, vigarously hammer the shiny metal piece in front of you. This resets the machine. Put the panel back on, turn the power back on. Hit the on/off button 30x in one minute, this will fire up the flux capacitor. One that is fluxing, you shouldnt have any issues.
True just don’t hit the power button more than 30x or you might end up in 2085
Is PEX tubing considered code for indoor installation of RSC199iN? Thanks
Everyone uses PEX these days...
@@dannyscales7421 appreciate the response.
someone also did not check the gas pressure on this unit
Salty air not so good for tankless
That’s why I switched to Navien to many of those rot out where we are in Saint Augustine
@@ThatTanklessGuy I have a Navien as well here in Newnan GA
I have a tankless at my summer home on Maui and we're really close to Napili Beach and I haven't had a problem in 8 years with Salty air.
People have unreal expectations for these units. If you cannot afford annual maintenance, know your limits and get a tank water. To the installers - Set the altitude. 99% of units are set for under 2,000 feet when they should be set to proper altitude. Also, I’m sick and tired of seeing improper condensate drains
That’s so true with the altitude set it rite
🎉
Sir, this is a Wendy’s
People, I would not go by this one alone, for several reasons. There are other (and in some ways better) videos on youtube.
Matt Risinger and Water Heaters Now both have good videos.
I usually done answer comments like this I usually delate them but this one I will. The gentleman you referring to is a builder and only a builder he knows nothing about tankless heaters. He never repaired, installed or did a complete serviced on one a unit. My videos come with over 45 years of experience in the plumbing and gas business and have been used on thousands of different tankless heaters with complete success.
Mike, as a home owner, I've learned so much from you & your information is always spot on and easy to follow. The "other guys" always seem to leave out important details that you don't realize until you're knee deep in %¢{¥×€§}!! Thanks again!!
We only flush and clean inlet filter because people don’t even want to pay for it in the first place. So they do it every 5 years. If you do all of these things on an old unit, you will be getting yourself into a rabbit hole. Had a guy yesterday ($500,000 home) that complained about having to pay for a new inlet filter to replace his broken filter. I threatened to leave. He agreed to pay. I finished.
I tell people up front about the filter and we don’t touch a unit over 5 years old that was never flushed cause you will fall in the rabbit hole. Thanks for the comment.
120 IS TOO LOW!
This is just a wee bit confusing. Why are you making a video to show people how to do things for themselves and then you say get a licensed and certified plumber to do the work? Are you covering your butt somehow or what?