What Is The Small Tank On Top Of My Hot Water Heater

It s that thing on top of the water heater about the size of a coffee can and we get a lot of questions about them.

What is the small tank on top of my hot water heater. The expansion tank serves as a backup system to prevent overworking your plumbing. It is an overflow receptacle that alleviates the pressure caused by the normal thermal expansion that happens when water is heated. Actually they come in many different sizes which differ based on water pressure the amount of water that is heated and the temperature the water is heated to. Electric tank water heaters use heating elements to keep the stored water hot until its needed.

At the bottom there is a threaded pipe connection. This ultimately protects it from damage. Not all water heaters have an expansion tank but if yours does it s function is similar to that of the t p relief valve. Common residential expansion tank looks like a small propane tank.

Faulty water inlet valves one of the most common reasons your hot water heater may be leaking at the top could be due to a faulty water inlet valve. The rheem performance 40 gal electric water heater has enough capacity for an average size family of three or four during daily water usage. This secondary safety device is designed to absorb excess hot water. If you see a puddle of water this is more than likely the problem.

This valve is typically located at top center of the tank. Usually they are the same size as basketball depending more or less on the size of the water heater they serve. At the top it has an air valve like the one seen on most tires called schrader. What size expansion tank do i need.

Its a expansion tank if you are on city water there is a double check valve in your meter crock along with the water meter and possibly a pressure regulating valve. Case in point the thermal expansion tank. An expansion tank is a small tank that is typically located on or above the top of the water heater. A water heater expansion tank is a safety device sometimes called a thermal expansion tank.

If this valve is leaking it is usually better to replace it completely. As the name suggests these consist of an insulated tank in which water is heated and stored until needed then emerges from a pipe on top. The temperature and pressure relief valve t p valve is located on top of your water heater and acts as a safety valve to release excessive pressure or water in case of overpressurization or thermostat failure. Storage tanks are the most common type of water heater.

The excess water volume instead of causing too much pressure on the plumbing rushes into the expansion tank and lowers the pressure in the water heater to safer levels.