Water Heater Expansion Tank Purpose

An expansion tank gives excess pressure a place to go keeping your water heater safe so if your plumbing system s check valve prevents water from flowing back into the water supply how does your water heater relieve excess pressure.

Water heater expansion tank purpose. This is called thermal expansion. Although the water in the water heater does not reach the boiling point and turns into steam it swells when heated. An expansion tank is typically a 2 gallon tank that is pressurized with air to match the incoming water pressure. If you have a newer water heater the answer is an expansion tank.

What is a water heater expansion tank. A water heater expansion tank is an additional small thank that is attached to your water heater unit. If the water pressure exceeds the pressure inside of the expansion tank the tank will absorb the additional volume thus protecting the plumbing system. How does the expansion tank of the water heater work.

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. When your water thermally expands a water heater expansion tank. A thermal expansion tank thermal expansion tanks have been required in most areas for the last 10 years or so when installing a new water heater. Thermal expansion is the number one reason that water heaters fail prematurely.

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 burst line with immeasurable damages and cost. This code was adopted because of the advent of backflow preventers water meter check valves and pressure reducing valves without a bypass being installed.