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This is an expansion tank
Ever felt like your head was going to explode because of too much noise/stress/people/bickering of children? What did you do to decompress? You probably got out of the system to relieve the tension you were feeling. It is possible for hot water tanks to feel the same – though for different reasons! Whether you have a hot water tank or one of the new tankless systems, expansion tanks are needed in case there is a sudden increase in water pressure. These expansion tanks can blue, gray or white colored and situated above the tank. They are a safety feature for closed water systems that have no place for excess pressure to go. Rupturing hot water tanks are very rare but if you do any research on what happens when they do, it is alarming! Does your hot water tank have one? Great! The hot water tank picture above has one…
If not, talk to a plumber now or plan to install one with your next hot water tank replacement. They are partially filled with air to protect from what is called water hammer and any excess pressure from thermal expansion (water heating up). The tank pictured to the right does not have an expansion tank.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions about your hot water tank and recommended safety features.
