Are you tired of paying high water heater repair bills? If so, you’re not alone. Water heaters can be a pain to maintain and repair. They constantly need to be checked for leaks, repaired when something breaks and maintained to ensure they last for years.
Fortunately, there are several easy DIY solutions that can help keep your water heater in great shape for much cheaper than professional service.
Check for Leaks
Leaking water heaters are a common cause of repairs. When you turn on the hot water, but it doesn’t come out, you may have a leak. The first thing you should do if you think you have a leak is turn off the main water supply to the house.
You don’t want to accidentally start a fire or create a dangerous situation. Once the water supply is shut off, you can inspect your water heater for any obvious leaks. While it’s important to inspect your water heater for any obvious leaks, it’s also important to check for other possible leaks.
Check your water heater pressure (how high your water pressure is), and make sure your pipes are all leaking water and not carrying water elsewhere. Leaking water heaters can lead to expensive repairs. Spend a few minutes looking for leaks, and you could save yourself a lot of money in repair bills in the future.
Add Baking Soda
Baking soda is a cheap, effective way to fix a leaky water heater. It will act as an abrasive, pushing any leaking water back into the tank. It’s an ideal solution for those with simpler water heater leaks.
This can work on either gas or electric water heaters. Just open the cabinet above your water heater, add the baking soda, and put a bowl under the cabinet to catch the soda. Once the baking soda has dissolved, let the water in your tank run for about 15 minutes before closing the valve.
Then, open the valve and let the water run for a few more minutes. This will force any leaking water back into the tank. Continue this process two to three times per week to prevent any further leaks.
Salt Your System
Like baking soda, salt is an inexpensive way to deal with both gas and electric water heaters. Salt can be used as a de-scaling agent, reducing the buildup of minerals in your water heater.
It will also reduce the risk of lead in your water if your water comes from an older source. Salt can be added directly to your water heater or to a specially designed-saltwater softener.
This can be used in a few different ways depending on your water heater. You can use it to soften your water or to reduce the amount of sodium in your water.
Drip Irrigation
Something as simple as drip irrigation can help you save money on your water heater repair bills in the future. An irrigation system is nothing more than a hose connected to your water line and controlled by a timer. The hose can be programmed to run for a few minutes, hours, or even days.
The water will slowly drip out of the hose and run down your line to your water heater. This is a great alternative to using an actual spout and valve, which can damage your water heater. There are a few options when it comes to choosing an irrigation timer.
You can select one that automatically turns on and off as needed, so there’s no need to be concerned about leaving it on. You can also select one that is specifically designed for water heaters, so it doesn’t harm your water heater.
Give your Tank a Cleaning
Another easy way to keep your water heater in good shape is to clean it regularly with a cleaner. The inside of your water heater will build up residue and minerals over time that can cause leaks or other issues. This buildup can be prevented with a regular water heater tune-up.
Most DIY retailers sell water heater cleaning kits that come with everything you need to clean your water heater no need to buy any additional supplies. These kits usually consist of a water heater cleaner, valve cleaning tablets, a rinsing mixture, and a valve spring compressor.
Install an Ultraviolet Light Treatment
UVA and UVB light treatments can be used to extend the life of your water heater. There are several brands that sell these UV light treatment kits, which can be plugged into an outlet.
The units can be purchased online or at most home improvement stores. These UV light treatments work by attacking minerals in your water heater that can cause leaks and other issues. The minerals will be weakened by the treatment, which will help to prevent issues in the future.
It is important to follow the instructions for the specific UV light treatment kit you choose. This will ensure that you get the best results from the treatment.
Conclusion
Water heaters are an important part of any home, but they aren’t always easy to maintain. People often overlook small issues and instead just wait for their water heater to break down. However, there are a few easy DIY solutions that can help you save money on your water heater repair bills in the future.
Make sure to check for leaks, add baking soda and salt when necessary, clean your water heater regularly, and run a UV light treatment when your water heater is due for replacement. If you follow these steps, you should be able to keep your water heater in great shape for many years to come.
