Gas Water Heater Expansion Tank Installation

Install expansion tank pressure gauge and pressure reducing valve if required as shown above in figure 1.

Gas water heater expansion tank installation.

The expansion tank is usually connected to the cold water supply so you need to determine which pipes are cold water supply. Follow the instructions found on the water heater and in the owner s manual. Expansion tanks are required if your system fails a water pressure psi test. The water supply and power electricity or gas must be shut off during the installation of the valves and expansion tank.

The expansion tank or vessel is designed to receive a volume increase of the heated water reduce the pressure and protect the system from failure. The tank is quite easy to install with a normal 3 4 inch threaded connection. The device contains the air membrane diaphragm usually made of rubber which is pressurized with air on one side while on the other side is water from home plumbing. Disconnect the water and power supply turn off the water supply to your water heater.

Pricing is largely dependent on the size of the tank. In older homes the expanded water pushed back into the water main. For most residential installations with 40 or 50 gallon water heaters a simple 2 gallon tank is fine. Make sure that it can enter through the horizontal part and the water heater.

Installing a thermal expansion tank on a gas water heater when water is heated it expands. Install your expansion tank hang the expansion tank above the cold water supply. How to install water heater expansion tank step 1. Step 1 shut off the water supply the first step in installing a hot water expansion tank is to shut off the water supply to your heater.

Location in the case of gas or propane heaters the location for your heater may be restricted. Water heater expansion tank prices start at around 40 and range up to nearly 200. If you have a shut off valve located on the supply line for your water heater close it or shut off the water from the main supply line to your home. Proper venting gas and propane heaters emit carbon monoxide which must be vented outside.

Today most homes have backflow prevention valves which stop the water in your home from reentering the water supply.