Making the decision to switch over to a tankless water heater for your home is exciting. Going tankless brings many great benefits like endless hot water, space savings, energy efficiency, and more. But having a new system properly put in place by a professional plumber Kansas City-based is key to reaping those rewards. If you’ve made the tankless leap, here’s everything you should expect from start to finish when getting your new water heater installation underway.
Scheduling the Installation
The first step? Setting up your installation appointment with a licensed plumber. When you call to schedule, ask questions about their tankless water heater installation experience specifically. This expertise makes a difference in how smoothly the switch goes. Expect the visit to take upwards of six hours depending on factors like access to water lines and gas lines, the need for venting, permitting requirements, and more. Make sure to ask if additional visits may be required.
Permits and Inspections
On installation day, don’t be surprised if your plumber needs to pull local permits and have inspections done before, during, and after getting your tankless water heater connected. This ensures proper safety protocols and code compliance. Expect to pay permit fees too. Having inspections done is not optional, so work with your plumber to make sure they schedule everything needed with your local building department.
New Hardware
To switch from a standard storage tank water heater to a tankless one, new hardware needs to happen. Expect new stainless steel exhaust vents, upgraded gas and water lines to handle tankless pressure and flow volumes, temperature mixing valves, recirculation pumps if your home layout requires them. Your exact setup depends on things like manufacturer, fuel type, model size, venting route, and water conditions in your area. Trust their expertise.
Installation Area Prep
When the plumber arrives to start installation, they’ll survey the work space first. Expect them to cover floors and furniture as needed in the immediate area to keep things clean and safe. Some wall and ceiling access may also happen if venting needs to go vertically before routing outside. For gas tankless models, a new section of vent is sometimes required through an exterior wall too. This prep protects your home while they work.
Water Supply Cut Off
An unavoidable part of the installation process? Expect your water supply to be cut off for a period of time while the swap happens. Make sure to ask your plumber ahead how long the supply may stay off, so you can prepare. Fill sinks and tubs for toilet flushing water beforehand. Alert housemates too. Having some advance notice makes any supply disruption easier to manage at home.
System Flushing and Checks
As part of finishing up, your plumber will thoroughly flush your pipes to remove debris that could impact your new tankless heater’s performance and longevity down the road. Expect water clarity and pressure checks too. Getting your whole system flushed improves function and brings you peace of mind. Certified tankless installers follow manufacturer requirements for start-up procedures so everything kicks off right.
Getting a shiny new tankless water heater in place takes coordination, skill, and time. But knowing what to expect ahead makes the installation process feel far more smooth. With an experienced professional plumber handling the switch, you’ll be enjoying superior performance and access to that endless hot water supply before you know it.