I have someone telling me that when they change my hotwater tank I need an expansion tank now. Does anyone know if this is necessary in the city of Chicago or is this guy just trying to sell me something extra for a few bucks?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn more about the benefits and compliance details for the DOE's new water heater energy-efficiency standards.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
It is a requirement in some areas, and a wise thing to do in any case if you have a pressure reducing valve or backflow valve where the water service enters your home.
I have a 97 year old house with an inch or inch and quarter pipe. The valve that lets the water come in from the street should that be changed also and have the water turned off from the street or does that valve stay to shut the water off while having the pipes in my house all upgraded?
Also do you know of what size expansion tank is required with a certain size hot water tank? I am getting a 40 gallon American-any opinions? What is the difference if I were to get a thermal or non thermal tank?
Edited 7/29/2007 4:36 pm ET by bigbossman
Not sure about the "thermal" vs non-thermal tanks. Expansion tanks are used in hot water heating systems and need to be able to take the heat, so that might be it. Also, standard (non-thermal?) tanks must be kept some distance (in plumbing feet) from the water heater, to keep hotwater from working into the tank.But the tank itself is a "thermal expansion tank" in any event -- its purpose is to allow for the expansion of water as the water heats in a closed system.Didn't quite understand your question about the valves, other than it's probably wise to get a new shutoff where the water enters the house, if it's as old as it sounds.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Re the size of the expansion tank, I think that's pretty standard. The smallest unit should do for a standard size house with a single 40-50 gallon water heater.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin