![]() One 50-gallon water heater, for instance, can be served by a 2-gallon expansion tank. You need a thermal expansion solution that is adequately sized for your plumbing system. What size expansion tank do I need for a 50 gallon water heater? A common illustration compares having high water pressure in your home to having high blood pressure. When is it required? An expansion tank is always highly recommended if you have a ‘closed-loop system’ caused by any kind of check valve or pressure regulating valve installed on your house’s water supply line. ![]() When should a water heater expansion tank be installed? The recommended water pressure is between 50 and 60 PSI. If the water pressure is greater than 80 PSI, install a Pressure Reducing Valve. Use a pressure gauge with a recording hand, and check the pressure for a 24-hour period. When pressure returns to normal, the air pushes the water back into the water lines.To install a Thermal Expansion Tank, first determine the water pressure in your home. ![]() It is charged with air, and when thermal expansion occurs, the water flows into the tank, compressing the air. The device is a steel tank with a rubber diaphragm inside. If everything stays below 80 psi, you don't have a problem.īut if you do, the solution is to buy an expansion tank, such as the one below, which is installed between a boiler and its storage tank. Next, making certain nobody is about to use hot water, make the water heater fire up by raising the thermostat. That will give you static line pressure, which should be below 80 psi. Screw the gauge onto the water heater drain valve or any hose bibb, such as above right, then open the valve. ![]() Some have a feature where the needle will hold at the highest reading. You can buy a water pressure gauge at most hardware stores for about $10. If the system is closed, perhaps as a result of a check valve, a pressure reducer or a backflow preventer, then as the water heats and expands, it has nowhere to go and that results in pressure spikes. This occurs when a water heater comes on to maintain temperature although no hot water is being used. Thus, people may have pressure problems without knowing it.Ī secondary issue is thermal expansion. Temperature/pressure relief valves don't open below 150 psi. ![]()
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