Expansion Tank | Plumbing Arlington
An expansion tank is installed in conjunction with the water heater. Its purpose is to protect the water heater from the thermal expansion of water as it heats up in the water heater. If the water pressure becomes too high, it can damage plumbing fixtures, water supply pipes and the water heater. As a result, leaks may occur, causing severe damage to the home and its foundation. To ensure the protection of your home’s plumbing in Arlington, contact a Benjamin Franklin plumber for installation of an expansion tank.
Water cannot be compressed, and the pressure inside the water heater will increase if it does not have room to expand as water is heated. In the past, excess hot water would be forced into the public water main, relieving the pressure on the water heater and the home’s plumbing in Arlington.
However, that path is no longer available due to federal legislation requiring backflow preventers to be installed. The purpose of backflow preventers is to prevent water from flowing back out of the house and into the public water system, preventing the potential contamination of public water from the plumbing within a house or business. The avenue of escape for expanding hot water is removed, leaving the pressure within a water heater system to continue to rise.
An expansion tank provides a solution and temporary location for expanding hot water. Consult a plumber about the advisability of adding an expansion tank to your hot water system. An expansion tank is sized according to your home’s needs, based upon the capacity of your home’s water heater, and the pressure of water entering your home. Ensure you use a qualified, licensed plumber for proper installation.
How it Works
Residential hot water systems are typically a closed system, and with the addition of an expansion tank, when water pressure is high, the pressure forces a diaphragm in the expansion tank to retract. Once it retracts, hot water flows into the expansion tank reducing the pressure in the water heater, and the risk of damage to it or other components of the home’s plumbing in Arlington.
The installation of an expansion tank to your home’s plumbing in Arlington provides protection of your hot water system from the damaging effects of thermal expansion, and your home from potential water damages from leaks. Leaks can cause severe damage to your home’s structure and foundation. Installing an expansion tank adds an additional layer of protection to your safety, home and its plumbing system.
The installation of an expansion tank is recommended when the following situations apply. Eventually, these recommendations will likely become required:
- With the replacement of a water meter
- With the replacement of water heaters
- During new home construction
- With the installation of a backflow preventer on the water meter
- With the installation of a new pressure regulating valve
You can rely on Benjamin Franklin’s expert plumbers in Arlington to install, replace, repair or service an expansion tank. In addition, our experienced, licensed plumbers provide a wide range of expert plumbing services for residential and commercial plumbing in Arlington. Our dedicated plumbers serve Arlington, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.