Water Heater Expansion Tanks  are a Safety Device

Water Heater Expansion Tanks are a safety devide that can reduce the chance of pressure damage to your plumbing system.  This applies to tank water heaters and not to the new tankless systems.  E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling will make a recommendation for you to install one if you do not have one and might.  

During the heating process, thermal expansion happens.   The expansion tank servies as a “overflow” tank.  It absorbs fluctuations in the incoming water supply pressure and absorbs excess water volume too.  Water expands when heated.  

In the Capital Region, there are open systems where the expanding water can push back into the city water lines.  There is typically not an issue there.

But many homes have a “closed water supply system” where the water plumbing system in the house has a one-way valve ( sometimes called a backflow preventer valve).  In this system, the extra water pressure that is building up with the thermal expansion.  It can cause a lot of damage because the water pressure cannot return into the city water pipes.  It has no where to go.    Many of the areas in the Albany, Troy, Schenectady require expansion tanks.  Check your local building code and find out.  You may be required to have one.  

Even if you do not have a one way valve on your hot water tank, you may benefit having an expansion tank.  They sit above the water tank and are about 15 inches long and about 12 inches wide.  Having a tank reduces the pressure on your toilet and faucets.  This may help those fixtures last much longer.  The tank is easy to install and E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling.  We like the Amtrol brand name.  

We suggest checking your water heater for rust on top and at the bottom of the unit.  If your tank is 10-12 years old, you may want to consider a water heater installation and an expansion tank installation.  

Call E.W. Tompkins Plumbing Heating Cooling at 518-462-6577 and speak to our Customer Care Reps.  We offer Red Runner Treatment that will protect your floors.