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An emergency plumbing call in Liberty Lake revealed a much bigger problem than a typical water leak. The crawl space was heavily flooded, and water had already caused significant damage throughout portions of the home.
The source was connected to a Navien tankless water heater installation that had not been completed properly. According to the homeowner, the previous work had been performed by an unlicensed contractor.
What we found during the inspection
The first photo shows the plumbing beneath the tankless water heater after the area had been opened for inspection. The installation and piping around the unit became an important part of determining where the failure occurred.
The second image was captured with a FLIR thermal camera. Thermal imaging helps reveal temperature differences that may indicate moisture in places that are difficult to evaluate visually.
This type of equipment can be extremely useful when tracking water through concealed areas of a home, especially after a major leak.
See the crawl space flooding
The video gives a much better sense of the conditions underneath the house. Water had reached the crawl space, insulation was soaked, and moisture was affecting areas that would normally remain completely out of sight.
When a leak reaches this stage, the plumbing repair is only part of the problem. Water can travel through insulation, framing, subfloor materials, and wall cavities before the full extent of the damage becomes visible.
Why the visible leak does not always tell the whole story
Water rarely stays directly beneath the point where a plumbing failure begins. It can follow piping, framing, and other materials before eventually appearing somewhere else.
That is why emergency leak diagnosis often involves checking the plumbing itself as well as surrounding areas for signs of moisture migration.
If you are dealing with an active plumbing failure, our emergency response information explains the types of urgent problems Scott’s Plumbing handles.
A tankless system is only as good as its installation
Tankless water heaters are sophisticated pieces of equipment. Proper installation requires attention to the water connections, gas supply, venting, drainage, manufacturer requirements, and the way the unit integrates with the rest of the home’s plumbing.
Even high-quality equipment can become part of a serious problem when the surrounding installation is not performed correctly.
For homeowners considering a new system or questioning an existing installation, we provide service for traditional and tankless water heating systems.
The cost of getting it wrong
The damage on this job extended far beyond the water heater itself. Flooding in a crawl space can affect insulation, framing, flooring, and other parts of the structure, turning what began as a plumbing problem into a much larger restoration project.
It is a strong reminder that licensing, training, and proper installation procedures matter when someone is working on major systems inside a home.
If you have concerns about a tankless water heater installation or discover an active leak, call Scott’s Plumbing at (509) 899-8883.
