Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of homeownership or a novice in the home repair game, chances are you’ve had your share of battles with water heaters. But there’s one lone, extremely important piece of machinery that more times than not is overlooked until it’s too late — the water heater expansion tank. This little, reasonably priced hardware can be the difference between life and death in the safeguarding of your plumbing system and the life of your water heater.In this article, we’ll explain what an expansion tank is, how it works, the Expansion Tank Supplier and why you should consider having one installed in your home.Learning Thermal ExpansionPrior to venturing into expansion tanks proper, some background on thermal expansion. Water does indeed expand when heated. If cold water gets heated up in your tank or tankless water heater, its volume will be greater. To give an example, heating 50 gallons of water in a tank will make it larger by perhaps half a gallon or so.In an open plumbing system (i.e., one in which water is allowed to back into the city supply), this expansion is not a significant problem. But most newer homes contain closed plumbing systems because check valves, pressure-reducing valves, or backflow prevention devices are in place. These make the water safe but also create a closed loop. Water within a closed loop has no place to go and creates pressure on your pipes and water heater. That pressure can, left unchecked, result in:Leaks on pipes or fittingsPremature failure of the water heaterActivation of the temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve)Malfunctioning of an appliance installed into your water systemAnd that is where the expansion tank comes in handy.What is a Water Heater Expansion Tank?It is an expansion tank for a water heater or a thermal expansion tank, a very small tank (2 to 5 gallons) that, as per the Expansion Tank Manufacturer you put above or beside your water heater. It is intended to take up the excess amount of water formed when your heater heats cold water.Inside the expansion tank is a rubber bladder or diaphragm that separates the tank into two: a water chamber and an air chamber. The air chamber is also at the same pressure as your house water pressure. Because hot water becomes hotter and expands when under pressure, extra water fills up in the expansion tank and displaces air around it and takes away pressure stress from your pipes.That is the step-by-step explanation in plain comprehension:Water Heats Up: Your hot water heater warms water and thus expands.Water Pressure Increases: In a closed pipe system, the space available gets filled up with rising pressure.Expansion Tank Opens Up: The excess water moves into the expansion tank with the higher pressure.Pressure Balances Out: Pressurized air contained in the tank balances it out and doesn’t cause harm.By acting as a buffer, the expansion tank gives you the highest pressure and protects your plumbing system.Do You Really Need One?Whether your home needs an expansion tank or not will depend on many things. Here’s how you can find out whether your home needs it or not:1. Closed Plumbing SystemIf you have a closed system — say, one with a pressure-reducing valve or check valve — then you’re likely to require an expansion tank. In a closed system, the water cannot flow back into the supply line, so pressure has nowhere to flow when it thermally expands.You may test for this by checking whether you have a pressure-reducing valve installed on your line or by paging a plumber to check.2. Local Building CodesExpansion tanks on closed resident plumbing are standard in most cities. Inspectors can mandatorily insist on them if they install a new water heater or replace it. Without the same, you can face failures with inspectors and homeowners’ insurance.3. Periodic T&P Valve CyclingIf your hot water heater temperature and pressure relief valve is constantly discharging water, that’s not a good thing. What it most likely means is that there is too much pressure in your system — something that can be prevented by an expansion tank.4. Prevention of DamageEven if it’s not required, installing an expansion tank is always best. Pressure will eventually ruin pipes, fittings, and even the water heater over time. Since expansion tanks are only $40 to $70, and getting someone to do it will run between $100 and $300, it’s a relatively cheap safety device.Selecting the proper Expansion TankExpansion tanks are available in various sizes and models, so you must pick one based on your water heater capacity and home water pressure.Key Points:Tank Size: A 2-gallon tank will suffice for a 40-gallon water heater but the newer system will require a 4.5-gallon tank.Water Pressure: Your house water pressure should be between 40 and 80 psi. If this is above the said values, then it requires a pressure regulator and also an expansion tank.Pre-Charge Pressure: Expansion tank must be pre-charged to the pressure as near as possible to house water pressure, which may conveniently be done using an air pump to, say, 60 psi.You need to call a plumber or use the manufacturer’s sizing chart if you are choosing an expansion tank.Installation HintsYou may be able to do it yourself if you are capable of using plumbing tools, but most homeowners would rather have a licensed plumber do it. This is a general idea of what is done:Shut off the water and power to the water heater.Locate the correct place-on the top cold water feed pipe or beside the heater.Add a tee connection to connect the tank. Secure the expansion tank with plumber’s tape for leak-free installation.Closing WordsAn expansion tank may appear like another piece in an already confusing plumbing system filled with pieces, but it is a required part in protecting your home’s infrastructure. Water shrinks in a heat cycle, and the tank keeps it from transmitting lethal pressure spikes to your equipment, pipes, and valves. For a little down payment and virtually no maintenance, an expansion tank provides you with plumbing fixtures with long life, comfort, and code compliance. No matter if you’re having a new water heater installed or would prefer your home’s pipes to be stronger, expansion tank installation is the answer to your needs.Also Read: Steps on How to Determine Foundation Repair Cost

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