Do you need an expansion tank when installing a new water heater? This is one question homeowners often ask during the replacement process. Below, this water heater installation company in Glenview, Illinois is going to explain what an expansion tank does, and when it is recommended (or required) during a water heater installation.
How does water expansion affect your pipes and water heater?
Heated water naturally expands. The increase in volume can look small. But even that small amount of extra water must go somewhere.
Plumbing systems in the past operated as more ‘open’ systems. With these systems, expanded water could flow back into the city’s water supply. Pressure inside your home’s plumbing system stayed relatively stable because the water had a place to move.
But many newer homes (and even some older homes that have had plumbing upgrades) now have closed plumbing systems. In a closed system, water can’t flow backward out of your house due to devices like check valves or backflow preventers. These devices are crucial for protecting water quality and preventing contamination, but they also trap water inside your home.
When water heats up inside your water heater in a closed system, that expanded water has nowhere to go. As a result, pressure builds up inside the pipes and the water heater tank.
Over time, that extra pressure can cause some major problems. You may notice the temperature and pressure relief valve dripping water. Plumbing fixtures and pipe connections can get weak and start leaking. Your water heater itself can have a shortened service life.
An expansion tank gives the extra water a place to go. It absorbs the pressure created when water heats up to keep pressure levels more balanced throughout your system. This can reduce wear and tear on your plumbing and make your water heater run optimally.
An experienced water heater installation company in Glenview, Illinois can inspect your home’s plumbing system to see if it is open or closed and how it handles pressure. Based on that assessment, they can tell you if an expansion tank is necessary for your system.
When is an expansion tank required?
Expansion tanks are now commonly required by local plumbing codes and water heater manufacturers during new water heater installations.
Many older homes in the Glenview area were constructed before today’s plumbing rules existed. At that time, expansion tanks were not required, which is why many older water heaters operated without them for years.
But when you install new equipment, today’s Illinois Plumbing Code applies. If your home has a closed system, an expansion tank will be required to pass inspection. Local inspectors check for proper control of thermal expansion during permit inspections. And if an expansion tank is missing, your installation could fail inspection.
Most modern water heater manufacturers also require some form of expansion protection to keep your warranty valid. Installing a water heater without an expansion tank, when one is required, could put that warranty at risk.
Working with a professional water heater installation company in Glenview, Illinois can be helpful in these situations. A professional installation will pass inspection and keep your warranty valid.
Looking for a water heater installation company in Glenview, Illinois?
If you are searching for a top-rated water heater installation company in Glenview, Illinois, look no further than our team at R. Carrozza Plumbing Co. Our experienced technicians will inspect your plumbing system and explain whether an expansion tank is needed. Contact us today to schedule your free water heater consultation.