Water Heater Expansion Tank

It is designed to handle that excess water that builds up.

Water heater expansion tank.

This is called thermal expansion. An expansion tank or expansion vessel is a small tank used to protect closed not open to atmospheric pressure water heating systems and domestic hot water systems from excessive pressure. This may seem like an easy question but it is also one that many people do not actively think about. An expansion tank provides space for this expanding water thereby reducing pressure on the water heater tank and on the pipes and fixture.

And when water is heated and expands if it doesn t have an expansion tank to catch the overflow it can cause pipes to leak or even burst. An expansion tank is most critical in closed plumbing systems where some form of pressure limiting valve or back flow valve prevents the expanding water from backing up into the municipal water main. The water heater expansion tank serves as an overflow receptacle by absorbing excess water volume that occurs when water is heated as well as absorbing fluctuations in the incoming water supply pressure. If water pressure gets to high it can damage valves in plumbing fixtures joints in.

The tank is partially filled with air whose compressibility cushions shock caused by water hammer and absorbs excess water pressure caused by thermal expansion. They are used to absorb excess water pressure which can be caused by thermal expansion as water is heated. Damage to your water heater is also possible. What type of water heater do you have.

Most areas of the country require that water heaters either have expansion tanks or special valves that release the excess water. A water heater expansion tank is another small tank that is attached to the water supply pipe of the water heater. So when the water pressure gets too high it will flow into your expansion tank instead of damaging your home s plumbing valves fixtures and joints and potentially causing a. This water heater expansion tank stops hot water from backflowing into the cold water line and prevents hot water from escaping through the pressure relief valve and onto the floor.

Although the water in the water heater does not reach the boiling point and turns into steam it swells when heated. When a pot of water is heated on the stove the kettle finally begins to whistle because the pressure generated inside will blow the steam. Water heater thermal expansion tanks a thermal expansion tank is designed to help protect potable drinkable hot water systems helping to maintain them and keep them working efficiently. How does the expansion tank of the water heater work.

A water heater expansion tank is an additional small thank that is attached to your water heater unit. The expansion tank is designed to handle the thermal expansion of water as it heats up in the water heater preventing excessive water pressure. However if you have a traditional tank style water heater you will most definitely need to consider if an.