Why Do I Need an Expansion Tank for My Water Heater?
Your Anaheim home looks more like a science lab. You and your oldest have spent the afternoon building a working volcano diorama for school, with a test run or two to make sure it works. Building the volcano was the fun part, but the clean-up? Not so much.
You turn on the hot water to scrub away discarded playdough, baking soda, and food coloring. You might think there isn’t much in common between a volcano and your water heater, but that’s not true. They both build up pressure that can result in explosive disasters…unless you take the right precautions.
There’s nothing we can do about a volcano, but we can manage the pressure in your water heater with an expansion tank. What is an expansion tank, and how does it help your water heater?
What Is an Expansion Tank?
An expansion tank is a small attachment for your traditional water heater. It creates additional room to absorb excess pressure when your water heats up.
Your first thought might be to question why expansion tanks weren’t installed when your water heater was installed if the pressure creates so much stress on your plumbing. If your home was built in the last 20 years, chances are you do have an expansion tank hooked up to your water heater.
Older homes were built with open water systems. This meant that your water and pressure would flow back into the city water.
Now, homes are built with a closed-water system. A closed-water system creates less water waste and is easier for the city. Unfortunately, the drawback is that your water heater builds up more pressure that needs some extra space to go. Think of an expansion tank like sending your kids outside when they’re bouncing off the walls!
Benefits of an Expansion Tank?
High water pressure puts unnecessary stress on your pipes and pipe joints, leading to leaks and burst pipes. Expansion tanks are here to bring you peace of mind, knowing that there is an extra cushion for the necessary pressure in your plumbing. And a mother knows that fixing water damage is a lot more expensive than preventing it!
Enjoy Water Heater Safety with Barker and Sons
You’ve seen what happens when pressure has nowhere to go—whether it’s a baking soda volcano or a bursting water pipe. Expansion tanks give your plumbing the breathing room it needs, saving you from costly disasters.
At Barker and Sons, we know Anaheim homes inside and out. If you’re unsure if you need an expansion tank, give us a call today.
