Integral to the plumbing of homes and largely unnoticed in home improvement forums are expansion tanks. Although they may seem silly, these tips can help prevent water hammer, which can seriously damage your pipes and fixtures. In this upcoming blog post, we’ll explore what expansion tanks are, how they work, the types currently in use, and the importance of maintaining them.
Understanding Expansion Tanks
Ancillary equipment includes an expansion tank, a pressurized vessel in your plumbing that holds heated or cooled water. When this water is heated, it expands resulting to a pressure of water in the system. If excess pressure is not managed, water hammer can occur. This happens when water strikes the pipes forcefully, causing noise, vibrations, and potential damage
How Expansion Tanks Work
Expansion tanks usually hold a bladder full of air or a precharged gas. The water rising and heating up enters the tank thus forcing the air or gas to compress. This just helps in controlling the pressure levels within the system to avoid build up pressure. In return, when the water gets cold and shrinks, it drains back to its system while the air or the gas in the tank expands.
Types of Expansion Tanks
There are two primary types of expansion tanks:
- Diaphragm tanks: These tanks come with a bonded flexible diaphragm that isolates the water from the air or any gas. The diaphragm lets the water imbibe and shrink while it continues at the same time not to touch the air.
- Bladder tanks: A bladder tank consists of a tank in which there is an inner bladder flexible and an air or gas load. The water is stored in the outer container of the tank.Some Uses of Water Tanks Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Water Tanks.
The Importance of Expansion Tanks
Expansion tanks offer several benefits:
- Preventing water hammer: Expansion tanks relieve the extra pressure causes by any expanding water thus saving your pipes and fixtures from water hammer.
- Improving system efficiency: Having a properly functioning expansion tank installed will go along way towards improving the efficiency of your plumbing system and taking care of pressure changes.
- Extending your plumbing system: Another way that expansion tanks can assist you in prolonging your plumbing is that they can prevent water hammer and other like issues.
Signs of a Faulty Expansion Tank
If your expansion tank is not functioning properly, you may notice the following signs:
- Water hammer: Unusual or loud throbbing noise like that produced by hammering on a pipe.
- Leaking tank: Should the tank’s hoarding capability be compromised due to cracking, then it will need replacement.
- Reduced water pressure: See also: A faulty expansion tank can at times cause low water pressure.
Maintaining Your Expansion Tank
To ensure that your expansion tank is functioning properly, follow these maintenance tips:
- Regular inspections: Tanks should also be checked for leaks, corrosion, or any other which this is might have developed.
- Pressure testing: This is to make sure that the tank is putting out the desired pressure at one time or the other.
- Air bladder replacement: However, there is the air bladder in your tank which in case it gets damaged or wears out it will have to be replaced.
Choosing the Right Expansion Tank
When selecting an expansion tank for your home, consider the following factors:
- System size: The size of your plumbing will tell you the size of the expansion tank that you will require for your system.
- Water pressure: Another factor involved when selecting a tank champions the operating pressure of your system.
- Tank location: This shall determine the size for the tank and how easy it will be to carry out routine maintenance on it.
Conclusion
Most plumbing systems require the use of expansion tanks. Once you understand how expansion tanks work and the different types available, you can help extend the life and productivity of your pipes. If you suspect that your expansion tank is faulty, take it for inspection. Repair or replace it if necessary.
For more blogs please visit Top Business Insider
