Tankless Water Heater Repair, Service & Installation in Coquitlam

• Lower energy costs. No standby heat loss from keeping a tank of water hot all day.
• Endless hot water. There's no tank to run dry, so you get hot water whenever you need it, even through a long shower or back-to-back laundry loads.
• Less space required. Wall-mounted units free up the floor space a traditional water heater takes, which helps in townhouses and condos.
• No sediment buildup in a tank. Capacity never shrinks the way it does in tank water heaters.

The trade-offs are worth knowing too. A tankless unit costs more upfront than traditional water heaters. Water pressure and flow can dip when several fixtures run at once. And because the unit needs electricity, even gas tankless water heaters won't make hot water during a power outage, while a tank still holds hot water for a while. If you're deciding between tank and tankless, we'll walk you through which one fits your household's hot water needs.

• Error codes or shutdowns. Most units show a code when something is wrong. It often points to a flow sensor, an ignition problem, a venting issue, or mineral buildup, and our technician can diagnose and repair it on site.
• No hot water at all. The unit may not be firing because of a gas supply problem, a failed igniter, or a blocked vent. On electric models, a tripped breaker or a failed heating element is a common cause.
• Cold water mid-shower. Can mean the tankless unit is undersized for two showers at once, or a component has failed.
• Lukewarm water in winter. The water coming into your home is colder in winter, and an undersized unit can't keep up. More on that below.
• Reduced water flow or pressure. Usually a clogged inlet filter screen, or scale restricting the heat exchanger (the part that moves heat from the burner into the water).
• Water pooling around the base of the unit. A leak from a fitting, a valve, or the heat exchanger. Close the water valve to the unit and call before it causes water damage.

See our tankless water heater repair guide for a fuller breakdown of symptoms and fixes. Most tankless repair calls are same-day service, since our technicians carry the parts modern tankless models need.

Most of a tankless repair is diagnosis. Once the cause is clear, the fix itself is often quick. Here is what a service call usually involves:

• Reading the error codes. Many units store recent codes, which shows whether the problem is new or has been building for a while.
• Checking the gas supply and venting. A gas line too small for the unit, or a vent that's blocked or loose, causes ignition trouble and shutdowns. Our licensed gas fitters check both.
• Checking water flow. That means the inlet filter screen, the flow sensor, and the isolation valves.
• Inspecting the heat exchanger. Looking for scale, corrosion, or leaks.
• Explaining the options. You'll know what failed and what the fix involves before the repair starts.

Need tankless water heater repair today? Call (604) 873-3753 or request service online.

A tankless unit doesn't store hot water. It heats cold water as it flows through, so the colder the water coming in, the harder the unit has to work to heat water. Metro Vancouver's drinking water comes from mountain reservoirs, including Coquitlam Lake just north of the city, and it arrives at your home much colder in winter than in summer.

Every tankless model has a limit on how much heat it can add at once. In January it has to raise the water temperature further than it does in July, so it delivers less hot water per minute and struggles to keep hot water flowing. A unit that handles two showers easily in summer may only keep up with one in winter. If your water turns lukewarm when the dishwasher and a shower run together on a cold morning, the unit may not be broken. It may simply be too small for winter water.

Some fixes are simple, like adjusting the temperature setting or cleaning a clogged filter screen. When the unit is truly undersized, the real options are spacing out hot water use, adding a second unit, or replacing it with one sized for winter. That's why a new tankless system should be sized for the coldest water of the year, not the average.



Fall windstorms are the other local factor. When a storm knocks out the power, a tankless water heater stops too, gas models included, because the fan and controls run on electricity. Most units start up again on their own once power is back. If yours shows an error code after an outage, that's worth a service call.

Tankless systems skip the sediment problem tank water heaters have, but they're not maintenance-free. In regions with hard water, mineral buildup forms inside the heat exchanger quickly. Homeowners there often need to descale the unit several times a year, and a water softener is often part of the solution.

Metro Vancouver's water is generally soft, so hard water scale is much less of a problem here. That's good news for your tankless water heater, but it doesn't make maintenance optional. Every tankless water heater needs some care. Debris and small amounts of scale can still collect over the years as water passes through the unit. Routine maintenance on a tankless unit usually covers:

• Flushing the heat exchanger. And descaling it if any buildup has formed.
• Cleaning the inlet water filter screen. A clogged screen is a common cause of low flow.
• Checking the venting and gas connection. Plus the condensate drain on high-efficiency models.
• Checking the burner and error history. To confirm it's working properly and catch early wear before it becomes a repair.

Routine maintenance helps keep your hot water consistent. Once a year is the common recommendation, and some manufacturer warranties require regular maintenance, so check your owner's manual. Our tankless maintenance guide covers what's involved, and our heating maintenance page covers the rest of your heating system.

Book your annual service. Call (604) 873-3753 or schedule your service online.

Switching from a water heater tank to tankless is a real conversion, not a simple swap. Gas tankless water heaters usually need gas line sizing, new venting, and sometimes electrical work. We'll assess your home's hot water demand, water supply, and fixture count, and recommend the best gas tankless water heater or electric model for your home. That includes whether one whole-home unit or point-of-use units in specific spots makes more sense for you.

Sizing is the step that matters most, because a unit picked for summer water can leave you short in winter. If you're still weighing tank versus tankless, our hot water tank services page covers the tank side of that decision, and our electric water heater page covers electric models. Our tankless installation guide covers the conversion process in detail. For a new furnace or boiler, see heating installation.

We install, repair, and service tankless units from these manufacturers. Choose your brand for model-specific information:



• AO Smith
• Giant
• IBC Boiler
• John Wood
• Navien
• Rheem
• Ruud
• Super Hot

Repair or Replace a Failing Tankless Water Heater?

Most tankless problems are repairable. Sensors, igniters, fans, valves, and control boards can all be replaced. A few situations tip the decision toward a water heater replacement instead:

• A leaking heat exchanger. It's the most expensive part in the unit, and on an older unit the repair cost is often hard to justify.
• Repeat failures. One repair after another is a sign the whole unit is wearing out.
• Parts that are no longer made. Common with older or discontinued tankless models.
• A unit that was undersized from the start. Repairs won't fix a unit that can't keep up with winter water.

Age matters, but it isn't the whole story. A well-maintained unit with one failed part is usually worth fixing. Our technician will explain what failed and what each option involves, so the decision is yours.

Why Coquitlam Homeowners Choose KCs for Tankless Water Heater Service

Like any gas water heater, a gas tankless unit burns natural gas inside your home and sends the exhaust outside through a vent. When the gas line, venting, and combustion are set up correctly, it's a safe and efficient system. When they aren't, you get shutdowns and error codes, and in the worst case a carbon monoxide risk. That's why gas work on a tankless unit belongs with a licensed gas fitter, and why our team includes them.

KCs has been a family-run plumbing and heating company in Coquitlam since 1993. Our founder, Jack Japuncic, is a Master Plumber, and we're BBB accredited. We install and service tankless water heaters across the Tri-Cities and the Lower Mainland, we're insured, and customer satisfaction is backed by our guarantee on every job.

Not every problem needs a technician. If your water goes lukewarm only when several taps run at once on a winter morning, that's likely a sizing limit rather than a breakdown, and spacing out hot water use may be all it takes. That's worth knowing before you book.

We also look after the rest of your heating system, including heating repair, furnace service, and boiler service.

Is Tankless Worth the Higher Upfront Cost?

For many households, yes, over the life of the system, thanks to lower energy bills and a longer typical lifespan than a tank. It depends on how much hot water you use and how much gas line and venting work your home needs. We'll give you the honest math for your household's usage.

How Often Does a Tankless Unit Need Maintenance?

Once a year is the common recommendation. Metro Vancouver's soft water means scale builds up slowly here, but a yearly service still catches clogged filter screens, venting problems, and early wear. Check your owner's manual too, since some warranties require regular maintenance.

Why Does My Tankless Water Heater Run Lukewarm in Winter?

Incoming water is much colder in winter, so the unit has to heat it more and delivers less hot water per minute. If it only happens when several fixtures run at once, the unit may be at its limit rather than broken. If it happens with one tap running, the tankless heater needs a service call.

Why Do I Get a Burst of Cold Water Between Showers?

This is often called a cold water sandwich. When hot water is turned off and back on, you get the hot water left in the pipes first, then a short slug of cold water while the unit fires up again. A brief burst is normal for many tankless systems. Longer cold spells point to a problem worth checking.

Can I Convert From a Tank to Tankless?

Yes. It usually involves gas line and venting changes, sometimes electrical work. We'll walk you through what your specific home needs.

Do You Offer Emergency Tankless Repair?

Yes. Our emergency line is open 24 hours a day across Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities.

How Much Does Tankless Water Heater Repair Cost?

The repair cost depends on what failed. Cleaning a clogged filter screen and replacing a heat exchanger are very different jobs. See our rates page for current pricing information.

What Brands Do You Install?

AO Smith, Giant, IBC Boiler, John Wood, Navien, Rheem, Ruud, and Super Hot.

Contact Us Today for Tankless Water Heater Service in Coquitlam

Whether you need tankless water heater repair, a yearly service, or you're switching to tankless for the first time, get your hot water sorted. Call KCs Plumbing & Heating at (604) 873-3753 or request service online.

Our service areas include Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby, and New Westminster. Call (604) 873-3753 today.

Written by Jack Japuncic, Master Plumber, founder of KCs Plumbing, Heating & Drain Services.