Water Heater Expansion Tank Leaking

Cures for water heater relief valve leaks due to thermal expansion.

Water heater expansion tank leaking.

An expansion tank is a small tank that is typically located on or above the top of the water heater. Check the pressure gauge. A drip from above can easily leak down on top of the water heater and even work its way down the insulation and make it look like the leak is coming from the tank itself. After you are sure that you have resolved the leaks it is time to turn on the valve between the boiler and the expansion tank.

Step 4 recharge the expansion tank. Some water heater systems include a smaller tank called the expansion tank. You should hear water filling into the expansion tank. You see as water is heated it expands.

The first place to check is the plumbing pipes above the water heater. An expansion tank is a small tank that protects closed and domestic water heating systems from excessive pressure. If there is water leaking from the piping attached to the t p relief valve and also from the open end of the pipe there s most likely too much pressure in the water heater or the water is too hot. Not all water heaters have an expansion tank but if yours does it s function is similar to that of the t p relief valve.

An expansion tank will give the water somewhere to go when it expands and the tprv on the water heater will stop causing problems. This tank sits off to the side of your water heater and is designed to catch any excess water from the water heater tank. Have a professional inspect your tank to determine the issue. A water expansion tank gives water a place to expand in a closed system frequently found with boilers or home water supplies with a check valve.

The changes in pressure inside the expansion tank can bring about the degradation of the water heating system and cause leaks. If you see a pressure of 10 to 12 psi then the tank is properly charged. This secondary safety device is designed to absorb excess hot water. And sometimes as water expands after being heated it outgrows the space within the tank.

Check the plumbing pipes above the water heater using a stepladder if necessary. This is a simple and straightforward fix. An alternative to installing or changing a water pressure regulator when building water pressure is occasionally 80 psi or higher is the installation of an expansion tank to temporarily absorb that pressure increase. A water heater expansion tank also called a thermal expansion tank is a safety device designed to protect your household plumbing from thermal expansion.