Tankless Water Heaters Aren't Maintenance-Free, Expert Warns
Hackensack – October 13, 2026 -- Tankless water heaters need yearly care, and skipping it can lead to costly repairs, according to a HelloNation article featuring plumbing and HVAC expert Scott Wickersheim of Wickersheim & Sons in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Hard water builds up inside the heat exchanger
Many homeowners assume a tankless unit runs on its own indefinitely once it is installed. The article says that does not match reality. In homes with hard or well water, calcium and magnesium accumulate inside the heat exchanger, restricting water flow and forcing the system to work harder to heat the same amount of water.