Living with a tankless water heater brings the joy of endless hot water. But like any warrior, your heater needs occasional maintenance to combat its toughest enemy – mineral buildup, also known as scale. Here’s the intel you need to choose the best descaler for your tankless water heater, tackle the descaling process with confidence, and keep your hot water flowing freely.
Top 10 Commercial Tankless Water Heater Descalers
SaleBestseller No. 1
QwikDescaler + Concentrated Descaler Solution,...
- QUICKLY FLUSH FLOW PASSAGES: Use this descaler solution to rapidly improve efficiency and open flow passages of heaters and other tankless heat exchangers. Multipurpose cleaning supplies, flushes out...
- EFFECTIVE SOLUTION BUT ALSO VERY SAFE: QwikDescaler descaler for tankless water heater is not only extremely effective at flushing out the unwanted buildup in your unit, but it’s very also safe....
- IT’S EASY TO TELL WHEN YOU NEED TO ADD MORE: There’s no guesswork with the QwikDescaler+ tankless water heater descaler. If more descaling solution is needed, it will turn from red to yellow, so...
- EXTEND LIFE OF YOUR UNIT & REDUCE COSTS: Flushing your tankless water heater at least once a year is a great way to help extend its life. This water heater descaling solution will eliminate buildup...
- PROTECTS AGAINST TARNISHING: Contains a powerful metal protectant designed to protect against damage, break down, and tarnishing during and after cleaning. The metal protectant and color change...
SaleBestseller No. 2
J.C. Whitlam FLOW32 Flow-Aide System Descaler ,32...
- Non-Corrosive, Non-Toxic, Fully Biodegradable, Safe to Handle, Zero VOC
- Quickly dissolves water scale, lime rust and other water formed deposits, restoring efficiency to most all appliances
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 60 for use as a cleaner in potable water systems
- 32oz bottle (1 quart)
Bestseller No. 3
Chromex Tankless Water Heater Descaling Solution |...
- Chromex 32 fl oz highly effective descaling solution helps maintain and extend the lifespan of your tankless water heater.
- Dissolves inorganic mineral deposits that contaminate unrestricted flow to restore water circulation. Liquid solution is compatible with most other PVC, rubber, ABS, metal plumbing surfaces apart from...
- Non-volatile, Liquid solution is biodegradable, more effective than vinegar, and works well to remove organic, inorganic and corrosion causing buildup.
- It is recommended to descale your tankless water heaters on a regular basis as limescale buildup from hard water which causes mineral buildup on water inlets and other components of the appliances...
- Easy to use and cleans quick, step by step instructions provided. Read all directions and safety precautions before using and prevent from using on aluminium or magnesium surfaces.
SaleBestseller No. 4
Superior Pump 91660 Tankless Water Heater Descaler...
- Superior Pump 91660 Descaler Pump Kit is designed to clean and descale most Tankless Water Heaters
- Descaler kit includes 1/6HP pump, Deluxe 3.5 gallon pail with screw top lid, two 3/4-inch GHT X 6-foot stainless steel hoses, and 7oz non-toxic descaler powder; color of lid on pail may vary
- 1/6HP Thermoplastic utility pump moves up to 1920 Gal. per hour; Will pump up to 20-feet of vertical height; Oil-free motor design
- 1-inch NPT discharge; Includes 3/4-inch garden hose adapter for use with stainless steel hose; 8-foot power cord CSA Listed; convenient carrying handle
- Non-clogging reinforced thermoplastic impeller; Handles up to 1/8-inch solids; Stainless steel fasteners; Bottom screen filters out debris and is easy cleanable
Bestseller No. 5
Rectorseal 68708 1.2-Pound Calci-Free Tankless...
- APPLICATION: Calci-Free is an efficient chemical descaler specifically formulated for tankless water heaters found in residential and commercial applications
- EASY APPLICATION: Tankless water heater cleaner is easy to use with no strong odor; can easily be applied to any type of tankless water heater; no splash crystal product
- CONVENIENT: Fast acting and cleans heat exchanger quickly; more effective than vinegar; restores water flow, pressure, and circulation in twenty minutes
- SPECIFICATIONS: Calci-Free tankless water heater flush; 1.2 lbs; contains a unique combination of organic and inorganic cleaners and patented corrosion inhibitors; for routine cleaning to remove...
- FOR THE TRADESMAN: RectorSeal is recognized as a leading provider of quality solutions for the professional trades serving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC/R), plumbing, electrical,...
Bestseller No. 6
Chromex Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit with...
- 6 Piece Tank-less Water Heater Flush Kit. Helps maintain and extend the lifespan of your tank-less water heater. Kit comes with 5 gallon bucket with lid, 1/6 HP Pump, 2 PVC coated hoses, descaler...
- Works with most all tankless water heaters such as Rinnai, Bosch, Noritz, Rheem, Takagi, Tempra, Navien, Ecosmart, Stiebel, Eccotemp, Atmor, Trutankless, Marey Power, and others.
- Our cleaning solution removes scale deposits from tankless water heaters, which helps improve its efficacy and lifespan. Its citric acid based, and solvent free formula is safe for use with most...
- 6 Foot hoses easily connect to tankless heater valves, and the kit will clean most heaters in 30 minutes or less! Usage instructions are included as an info-graphic on this listing as well as with...
- ChromeX manufactures thoughtful tools and accessories for both the do-it-yourselfer and the professional. Customer satisfaction is our main priority, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any...
SaleBestseller No. 7
6699 Tankless Water Heater Cleaning Kit Just add...
- 【Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit】This cleaning kit comes with everything you need to maintain your water heating system. Helps maintain the performance and extend the life of your tankless hot...
- 【Submersible Sump Pump】High-efficiency submersible water pump with 1/4HP power motor discharges up 1500 gallons per hour (25 gallons per minute) and has a maximum lift capacity of 23 feet, easily...
- 【Easy to Use】This kit includes 3 gallons bucket with a bucket lid opener, 1/4HP utility pump with 2 hose adapters and 2pcs 6’ x 1/2” PVC hose with washers. They are easy to install, can be...
- 【Easy to Use】This kit includes 3 gallons bucket with a bucket lid opener, 1/4HP utility pump with 2 hose adapters and 2pcs 6’ x 1/2” PVC hose with washers. They are easy to install, can be...
- 【Specification】Model: SUB1500KIT02; Pump Volts/Hertz: 115V/60Hz; Pump Power: 1/4 HP; Pump motor full load: 1.5 Amps; Pump Max Head: 16.5 FT; Pump Max Flow: 1500 GPH; Pump Max Submersion Depth: 23...
Bestseller No. 8
Chromex Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit with...
- Maintain and extend the lifespan of your tankless water heater with our 5 Piece Tankless Water Heater Flush Kit. Kit includes 6 gallon bucket with lid, 1/6 HP Pump, PVC Coated Premium Hoses, Pump...
- Our descaling kit is an ideal match for those who want to adhere to Rinnai and other manufacturer guidelines and ensure you maintain your appliance responsibly and effectively. Add 3 parts water for...
- 6 Foot hoses easily connect to tankless heater valves, and the kit will clean most heaters in 30 minutes or less! Usage instructions are included as an info-graphic on this listing as well as with...
- Works with most all tankless water heaters such as Rinnai, Bosch, Noritz, Rheem, Takagi, Tempra, Navien, Ecosmart, Stiebel, Eccotemp, Atmor, Trutankless, Marey Power, and others.
- Chromex manufactures a variety of quality tools for both the do it yourself-er and the professional. We know that sometimes things can get a bit messy. We are here to help! Please contact us with any...
Bestseller No. 9
Kelaro Tankless Water Heater Flushing Kit with...
- Helps maintain the performance and extend the life of your tankless hot water heater.
- Everything you need in one kit to descale your tankless water heater in 45 minutes or less | Suitable for DIY Homeowner use with easy directions.
- Includes 1/8 HP Utility Pump, 6 Ft Stainless Steel Color Coded Hoses, 3.5 Gallon Bucket with EZ-Off Lid, Instructions & Flow-Aide Biodegradable Descaler.
- Easily connects to tankless isolation valves using supplied 6' Color Coded Hoses
- Works with Rheem, Bosch, Noritz, Rinnai, Takagi, Navien, Stiebel, Atmor, Ecosmart, Eccotemp, Marey Power, Tempra, Trutankless and others
Bestseller No. 10
6699 Tankless Water Heater Descaling Flush Kit...
- 【Tankless Heater Flush Kit】This cleaning kit comes with everything you need to maintain your water heating system. Helps maintain the performance and extend the life of your tankless hot water...
- 【Submersible Sump Pump】1/6HP energy-efficient PSC motor with thermal overload protection, has the ability to deliver water to maximum height 16.5 feet and flow rate is 1100GPH, quietly running....
- 【Easy to Use】This kit includes 3 Gallon Bucket with a bucket lid opener, 1/6HP utility pump with 2 adapters and 2 black 6 feet PVC hose with washers. They are easy to install, can be directly...
- 【Bucket Lid Opener】Adopts ergonomic design, reasonable and reliable, with a long enough handle to provide maximum leverage; anti-slip grip is with finger grooves for safe handling; allowing you to...
- 【Customer first】One-year limited warranty. For any question, please don't hesitate to write to us through our storefront and click "ask a question", or support email to us, we will respond within...
The Descaler Dilemma: Picking Your Weapon
Not all descalers are created equal. The best choice depends on the severity of your scale problem and your tankless water heater’s material.
Here’s a quick rundown of the common descaler types:
| Descaler Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar-Based Solutions | Eco-friendly, affordable | May require longer descaling time for tough jobs |
| Commercial Descalers | Powerful, formulated for efficiency | Can be harsher on some materials, read labels carefully |
| Citric Acid Solutions | Biodegradable, good alternative | May require higher concentration for some scales |
| Phosphoric Acid Solutions | Most potent for extreme scale | Highly acidic, requires professional handling |
Know Your Enemy, Know Yourself: Choosing the Right Strategy
Before diving into descaling, consider these factors to pick the most effective and safe approach:
- Scale Severity: A light buildup might be tackled by vinegar, while heavy scaling might require a stronger commercial descaler.
- Tankless Water Heater Material: Some descaler types aren’t compatible with certain heater materials. Check your manual for recommendations.
- Going Green: Eco-friendly options like vinegar or citric acid are great choices if your scale buildup isn’t severe.
- DIY or Pro?: For complex jobs or if you’re uncomfortable with chemicals, consider calling a professional plumber.
The Descaling Showdown
Now that you’ve got the right descaler for the job, let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to business. Don’t worry, this might seem intimidating, but we’ll break it down step by step.
Operation Descaling: The Step-by-Step Battle Plan
- Preparation: Consult your heater manual for any specific safety instructions and prepare your gear – gloves, goggles, and maybe a respirator if you’re using potent chemicals. Remember to turn off the water supply to your heater!
- Isolation and Flushing: These fancy terms mean connecting hoses to your heater’s valves and giving the system a quick rinse.
- Circulation: This is where the magic happens. Pump your chosen descaling solution through the system. The time needed varies with the solution’s strength, but follow the instructions carefully.
- Neutralizing and Rinsing: After descaling, it’s crucial to flush out any leftover acidic solution with plenty of water. This protects your heater and prevents funky-tasting water.
Demystifying Popular Descaler Brands
Commercial descalers can be lifesavers, especially for stubborn scale. Here’s a lowdown on some tried-and-true brands:
- Haymaker: Well-known for potent descaling kits.
- Flow-Aide: Offers convenient, pre-mixed formulas.
- Rectorseal: Appeals to professionals with a variety of options.
DIY or Pro? Time to Decide
Descaling yourself is totally doable, with the right precautions and attention to detail. But sometimes it’s wiser to pass the baton to a pro. If the scale buildup is insane, you’re not comfortable working with chemicals, or you don’t want to void your warranty, go with a professional plumber.
Preventing the Next Scale Siege
The best battles are the ones you avoid altogether! Here’s how to stop scale from taking over your tankless water heater:
- Water Hardness Test: Find out how hard your water is; this dictates how often you might need to descale.
- Water Softeners: A whole-house system or one just for your heater can prevent scale in the first place.
- Regular Flushing: Even with soft water, a quick flush based on your water hardness helps keep things running smoothly.
Warning Signs: Tankless Water Heater Needing a Rescue
Pay attention to these symptoms that your heater is crying for a descaling session:
- Reduced Water Flow: Think of scale being like cholesterol clogging the arteries of your heater.
- Funky Temperature: Your shower suddenly alternating between hot and cold? A scaled-up heater might struggle to maintain consistent temps.
- Alarming Noises: Gurgling or banging sounds might point to mineral deposits messing with the flow inside your heater.
- Error Codes: Modern heaters often display error codes – consult your manual to decipher the specific meaning.
Troubleshooting and FAQs: Your Descaling Support Team
Sometimes, things don’t go quite as planned. Check out our troubleshooting guide and handy FAQs at https://www.bobvila.com/articles/appliance-care/ for help.
Safety First
Always prioritize safety when dealing with descalers. Wear protective gear, handle chemicals with caution, and thoroughly flush your heater after descaling. Remember, read those instructions and follow them to the letter!
