What Do These Water Heater Signs Mean?

The average water heater works continuously to provide a household with hot water when they need it. This continual work puts stress on the system and can cause it to fail prematurely if you don't maintain it and call for repairs when something seems wrong. Before you call a plumber, get to know these common water heater signs and what they mean for your unit. Fluctuation in Water Temperature: If you get water that fluctuates between being too hot or too cold, it might mean one of the heating elements is failing. It can also mean that your water heater has lost efficiency with age, and can't provide the hot water you're used to. Leaks: A leaky water heater doesn't always require replacement. Sometimes, you might have a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve that's the issue. Other times, it may be something as simple as a bad gasket. Discolored Water: If you notice brown water, it may mean that the tank is corroded or you have a failing anode rod. A corroding tank requires replacement, while an anode rod is easy to swap out. Strange Noises: As water heaters age, sediment builds up inside the tank, which can lead to strange sounds coming from the tank. You might hear rumbling, cracking, or popping sounds. Most times, this problem is fixed by flushing the tank to remove the sediment. If you hear a high-pitched whining noise, it could be scale build-up on the heating elements. You can fix this also by flushing the tank and cleaning off the scale. If you have other questions or concerns about your water heater, call the experts at Cajun Plumber for a consultation.

What Causes Sewer Line Clogs?

A clog in your main sewer line can be a serious health hazard, especially if raw sewage backs up into your home. Not only can this make you and your family sick, but it can also cause extensive damage to your flooring. Below are the most common causes of sewer line clogs and how you can prevent them. Debris from Home: The most common cause of sewer line clogs is debris that comes from inside the house. Many people flush things like paper towels, personal wipes, and feminine hygiene products down the toilet, which leads to clogs in the plumbing. Also, cooking grease and food waste are other culprits that cause clogging problems. To solve this, make sure you only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet and pour cooking grease and food debris into the trash instead of down the drain. Tree Roots: If you have large trees or shrubs on your property, they will naturally seek out available water sources under the ground if they become too dry. Most often, the nearest source of water is your sewer line. Tree roots are notorious for penetrating sewer lines at the joints or through small cracks, and once inside, they grow to cause a significant blockage. Consider upgrading your aging pipes with materials that resist tree roots, or remove the trees. Damage: It's not uncommon to see older homes with outdated plumbing run into trouble when the pipes crack and collapse. If the pipes are weak and the ground shifts, it's often enough to cause the pipes to fail. If your home is 50 years or older, contact a plumber to find out about replacing that old sewer line. Excessive Rain: Sewers can only handle so much water at a time, and when heavy rains come, they're often overwhelmed. When this happens, the overflow of water often finds its way into residential lines, which can cause clogs and backups. With a little forethought, you can guard against sewer problems like clogs and backups. If you're unsure how to go about this, call the experts at Cajun Plumber for help.

What are the Most Common Kitchen Plumbing Issues?

Besides the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks put a lot of strain on the plumbing and fixtures. Here are the most common plumbing problems you're likely to see in your kitchen. Low Kitchen Sink Water Pressure: If you have a weak water stream coming out of your kitchen faucet, it could be something simple like a clog in the line or aerator. Many residents deal with hard water, which causes mineral deposits to build up in the system, leading to clogs. If the problem lies with the aerator, you can fix this by removing it and cleaning it with vinegar or a scale-removal product. Leaky Faucet: Sometimes, a leaking faucet requires a professional to fix or replace, but check for these common causes of leaks before you call. If the faucet leaks at the base of the spout, it's likely a worn O-ring seal, which is easily replaced. Clogged Kitchen Drain: Most kitchen sinks use a P-shaped trap that's designed to stop sewer gas and other odors from coming into your house. Water flows into the curved section of the pipe via gravity to block these gases. However, when soap scum and grease build up in this P-trap, it obstructs the water flow and can cause a leak. You can check the P-trap by loosening the slip nuts at each and removing the trap. Leaking Dishwasher: Common causes of leaking dishwashers are broken float switches, bad gaskets, and damaged spray arms. Fortunately, these are easily replaced using a screwdriver. Clogged Drains: Most homeowners experience clogged drains, especially in the kitchen. Be careful about what goes down your kitchen sink. You can prevent most clogs by putting food scraps and cooking grease into the trash or a compost heap rather than putting them down the drain. If you do experience a clog, try a homemade remedy like vinegar and baking soda before calling a plumber. If you experience any problems with your kitchen plumbing, you can rely on help from the experts at Cajun Plumber.

When do you Need Gas Line Repair?

The gas line is one of the most important parts of your home's plumbing system. The gas line brings in the necessary fuel to provide various functions through the house, so it's crucial that the gas line remains in good condition. Like any line, however, there may come a time when you need gas line repair. Damaged lines can be dangerous, so watch out for these signs that signal that you should call a professional for help. Foul Odors: Perhaps the most significant sign pointing to a broken gas line is the odor of rotten eggs, which is a chemical put in by the gas supplier to alert customers of the presence of gas. If you smell this, call for help immediately. Hissing Sounds: Do you hear hissing noises coming from a gas appliance? If so, it could be a slow leak. Dying Vegetation: Many gas lines run through the lawn, so if you notice portions of your lawn that are dying, it could be a leak in the gas line. Spike in Gas Bill: If your gas bill suddenly spikes, you should have a professional check your gas line for leaks. If you suspect you have a gas leak, call the experts at Cajun Plumber right away.

How Do You Handle a Gas Leak?

Even if your gas lines were installed by a pro, they can still leak because of damage, age, shifting soil, or tree roots. Many times, homeowners don't know there's a problem until it's too late. If you suspect you have a gas leak, follow these steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your home. Get out of the house quickly. Don't use any electrical devices or turn on any electric items. Leave your doors and windows open to allow gas to escape. Call the gas company, 911, and a plumber. If you feel nauseated, lightheaded, have a headache, blurred vision, dizzy, or any other symptom associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Guide | 225-372-2444

Cajun Maintenance plumber performing tankless water heater maintenance in Baton Rouge home

Cajun Maintenance offers professional tankless water heater maintenance in Baton Rouge, including a full annual flush, descaling, and tankless filter cleaning to keep your hot water steady and your system efficient.

Many homeowners in Baton Rouge notice slow hot water, inconsistent temperatures, or error codes long before their unit fails. These problems often trace back to mineral buildup, dirty inlet filters, or missed descaling service. Regular maintenance can prevent these issues and keep your water heater running like new.

In this guide, you’ll learn why annual tankless service matters, how often to schedule it based on your water quality, and what’s included in the maintenance plan. Call 225-372-2444 to book a service in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We offer prompt scheduling and upfront quotes.

Why Annual Tankless Service Matters

Annual tankless water heater service removes scale buildup, protects your investment, and keeps your hot water reliable. Skipping service shortens the life of your unit and can void your warranty.

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, every time you turn on a tap - no storage, no buffer. Over time, minerals in the water leave scale deposits inside the heat exchanger. In Louisiana, hard water causes this buildup to increase rapidly!

The water heater's efficiency drops without regular descaling. You’ll see lukewarm water, reduced flow, or temperature fluctuations. In extreme cases, the unit shuts down completely.

And when you go for repairs, most manufacturers require proof of annual service to keep warranty coverage valid.

However, in Baton Rouge, LA, we have seen water heaters last 15–20 years with yearly service. On the other hand, we have also seen them fail in under 7 when ignored.

So, if you want reliable hot water, lower utility bills, and a unit that holds up, annual service isn’t optional - it’s essential.

How Often Should You Service Tankless Water Heaters in Baton Rouge LA?

Most homes need annual tankless service once every 12 months. However, in Baton Rouge’s hard water areas, descaling tankless water heater every 6 - 9 months is recommended.

If your home uses well water or has heavy sediment, check the water filter every few months and plan for a full flush each year. Homes with recirculating systems or high daily demand should change their tankless maintenance schedule to once every six months to prevent scale and performance issues.

Baton Rouge Plumber Tip: Book a tankless maintenance service immediately if you notice slow flow of hot water, fluctuating temperatures, or error codes.

What’s Included in Our Professional Tankless Service?

Our tankless water heater maintenance includes flushing, inspection, and documented results so your unit runs like new.

At every visit, our Baton Rouge plumbers follow a clear, consistent process:

Descale and flush the heat exchanger with a pump and approved cleaning solution to remove hard water buildup.
Clean and inspect the cold-water inlet screen and inline filter to clear sediment or debris that restricts water flow.
Inspect venting for slope, clearance, and sealed joints to prevent exhaust issues.
Check gas supply and valve pressure, confirming leak-free connections.
Include a condensate neutralizer service to check performance and replace media when needed to protect the system from corrosion.
Review recirculation settings and timers to balance comfort and energy savings.
Run a full system test to verify temperature stability and clear any stored error codes.
Record all model and serial data, temperature readings, and replaced parts on your invoice.

After completing the maintenance service, we leave your home neat and orderly, just the way we’d want our own.

Call 225-372-2444 to learn about our tankless maintenance plan.

Our Tankless Flushing and Descaling Process

Our flushing and descaling process includes tankless filter cleaning, a full flush with a pump, and precise testing to protect your system from scale and hard water damage.

1. Shut Down the Unit and Water Inlet

We start by safely turning off the power, gas, and water inlet before flushing the system.

This isolates the water heaters, so no pressure or flow interferes with cleaning. Our plumbers close the incoming valves and relieve pressure from the lines to protect your tank and fittings from leaks. Once isolated, the heater is ready for a full draining without risk of backflow or damage.

2. Connect the Pump and Flush Lines

We use a specialized pump that circulates the descaling solution through your water heater.

We connect service hoses to the valves and run the pump to move the cleaning solution through the heat exchanger. This dissolves mineral buildup from hard water that clogs the system.

3. Clean the Inlet Filter and Valves

We clean the inlet filter and isolation valves after every flush.

Sediment and small debris often collect at the inlet or within the filter screen, slowing water flow. We remove and rinse these parts, checking seals and valve function to ensure no leaks or blockages remain.

4. Rinse and Test the Tankless Heater

Once the flushing service is complete, we rinse the system and test for steady hot water.

Our plumbers confirm balanced inlet and outlet temperatures, no trapped air, and consistent hot water output. We also check the control panel for any error codes and verify that gas and water valves are fully open.

5. Final Cleaning and Documentation

We leave the area clean and record every reading for your service history.

After completing the tankless flush service, we wipe down the exterior, coil the hoses, and clean up the workspace. Every unit is logged with model and serial numbers, gas and water pressure readings, and any replaced parts.

Book Your Baton Rouge Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Today

Call 225-372-2444 or request a quote online to book your tankless water heater maintenance in Baton Rouge, LA.

We respond quickly with clear pricing and scheduling that works for your home. Our licensed plumber will arrive on time, complete the servicing, and leave your home clean.

We’re a Louisiana-licensed contractor (LMP 6851, LMNGF 9417, LA Contractor 68719) and hold an A+ BBB rating. Our team is manufacturer-trained, local, and focused on clean, reliable work.

Call 225-372-2444 to schedule service now!

FAQs

How many gallons per minute does a tankless water heater provide?

Most residential tankless units in Baton Rouge supply between 5 and 9 gallons per minute, depending on the model and incoming water supply temperature. Colder groundwater can slightly reduce the flow rate since the heat exchanger works harder to reach your set temperature.

When should I call for tankless water heater repair?

Call for repair if your system leaks, makes loud noises, or won’t ignite. Those issues point to electrical, gas, or mechanical faults that a certified plumber should inspect.

How often should I clean a traditional tank water heater?

A standard tank water heater should be cleaned and flushed once a year to remove sediment that settles at the bottom of the tank.

Do you provide Noritz tankless maintenance?

Cajun Maintenance is factory-trained by Noritz. Our plumbers follow the manufacturer’s service guidelines to protect your warranty and keep the system reliable.