Silver Spring has a lot of mid-century housing, so a tankless upgrade here often means replacing a chimney-vented tank and checking a gas line that was never meant for a high-input burner. Gas and plumbing permits for the work come from WSSC Water, not the county. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Silver Spring.
The median Silver Spring home was built around 1964, and the neighborhoods inside the Capital Beltway include many brick colonials, ramblers and split-levels with the water heater in a basement. Those houses can take a tankless unit, but the gas pipe, the old flue and the electrical panel each need a look. If you already own a tankless heater and it is misbehaving, the steps below help before the plumber comes.
What to do now
- Write down the error code. Most units show a number on the front panel; it tells the plumber where to start.
- Check the gas supply. If other gas appliances also stopped, the problem may be at the meter, not the heater.
- Check power. A tripped breaker or unplugged cord shuts down even a gas tankless unit, since the fan and controls run on electricity.
- Try one fixture at a time. If hot water returns with a single tap open, the unit may be hitting its flow limit.
- Look at the intake and exhaust. Leaves, snow or a bird nest at the wall termination can trip a combustion fault.
- Smell gas? Stop and leave the house. From outside, call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hot water runs out when two showers go | Unit undersized for the household's peak flow |
| Flow slowly dropping over months | Scale in the heat exchanger or a clogged inlet screen |
| Ignition fault on cold mornings | Undersized gas line or blocked vent |
| Short cold slug mid-shower | Normal restart delay; a small buffer or recirculation can help |
| Water leaking from the cabinet | Failed fitting or a cracked heat exchanger |
What affects cost
For a new install, the biggest variables are whether the gas line from the meter has to be upsized, how the new vent leaves the house, and whether the old masonry chimney needs a liner or cap once the tank no longer uses it. In WSSC territory the gas and plumbing work also needs a WSSC permit and inspection, pulled by a plumber or gasfitter who holds a WSSC license. For repairs, the price depends on the part (igniter, flow sensor, fan or heat exchanger) and whether a descaling flush is due.
Tankless Water Heaters questions in Silver Spring
My old tank vents into a chimney. What happens to that?
Will a gas tankless heater work during a power outage?
Does a tankless install need a permit, and who issues it?
Why do I get a burst of cold water in the middle of a shower?
More plumbing services in Silver Spring
Tankless Water Heaters nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: