Q on expansion tank.

[BobnBev]

Does the expansion tank for my water heater go on the cold water intake pipe, or on the hot water out pipe.

[village dreamer]

cold, cut a t in cold line .

[Bill14564]

Don't know why it wouldn't work on either line but since the hot water might take a toll on the bladder it would make sense to install it on the cold side.

[retiredguy123]

Cold side

[Topspinmo]

Don't know why it wouldn't work on either line but since the hot water might take a toll on the bladder it would make sense to install it on the cold side.

To equal pressure coming before it’s heated, IMO hot water would cause it to fail quicker?

[retiredguy123]

///

[MikeVillages]

The home inspection before buying stated it was on the hot side, the WONG side. Most of the homes in my area do not have expection tanks because it was not required when the home was built.

[retiredguy123]

The home inspection before buying stated it was on the hot side, the WONG side. Most of the homes in my area do not have expection tanks because it was not required when the home was built.
Actually, the expansion tank will work on either side. But, the cold water side is the preferred location. Note that the expansion tank should be installed between the cold water shut-off valve and the water heater, so, if there is a leak in the expansion tank, the leak can be stopped by closing the valve without shutting off the cold water to the entire house.

[MrFlorida]

Cold water side is best.

[BobnBev]

I googled it, cold water is best. Thanks for the replies.:ho:

[villagetinker]

Also, the typical lifetime of an expansion tank is 5 to 7 years, then they need to be replaced. The simple test to see if the tank is still good is tap the side of the tank, above the weld it should ring (like a bell) below the tank it will sound dull, if the whole tank sounds dull, the bladder has failed and the tank needs to be replaced.
NOTE: Lowes (and probably others) sell at least 2 versions one for wells and one for public water service, be sure to get the one for public water service, the one for wells has a lower pressure rating.

[New Englander]

Cold side.

[Topspinmo]

This pretty much explains it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2HVSogYELM

[Topspinmo]

Also, the typical lifetime of an expansion tank is 5 to 7 years, then they need to be replaced. The simple test to see if the tank is still good is tap the side of the tank, above the weld it should ring (like a bell) below the tank it will sound dull, if the whole tank sounds dull, the bladder has failed and the tank needs to be replaced.
NOTE: Lowes (and probably others) sell at least 2 versions one for wells and one for public water service, be sure to get the one for public water service, the one for wells has a lower pressure rating.


I was on well water the pressure(AKA expansion tank) tank done double duty as expansion tank and pressure tank to push water between 40 and 120 psi plus it was around 60 gallon tank. I don’t about Florida but state I was in didn’t require additional expansion tank off water heater cause the pressure tank would mimic expansion tank in system. The was also pressure gauge to monitor the pressure. I was always fixing leaks due to pressure required to push water and minerals in well water. The 1/4 in pipe leading to pressure gauge had to to be cleaned out about every two years. Water heaters lasted around 8 years and pressure tanks lasted around 10 years in that area, well pump little long usually.

[Topspinmo]

I thought this was interesting also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmN88UvZfDI

[CFrance]

Also, the typical lifetime of an expansion tank is 5 to 7 years, then they need to be replaced. The simple test to see if the tank is still good is tap the side of the tank, above the weld it should ring (like a bell) below the tank it will sound dull, if the whole tank sounds dull, the bladder has failed and the tank needs to be replaced.
NOTE: Lowes (and probably others) sell at least 2 versions one for wells and one for public water service, be sure to get the one for public water service, the one for wells has a lower pressure rating.
VT, are you saying that if the bladder goes you need to replace the whole tank? We replaced the bladder a couple years ago, but the tank seems fine. Our house was built in 2011. I'm guessing the tank will go soon, but don't know what to look for. (that was a two-part question, sorry!)

[Bill14564]

VT, are you saying that if the bladder goes you need to replace the whole tank? We replaced the bladder a couple years ago, but the tank seems fine. Our house was built in 2011. I'm guessing the tank will go soon, but don't know what to look for. (that was a two-part question, sorry!)

There are two tanks, the hot water tank and the expansion tank. The expansion tank is small, about 15 inches high, and attaches to a single water line, usually above the hot water tank.

The expansion tank contains a bladder. The bladder cannot be replaced, if it goes bad then the entire expansion tank needs to be replaced.

The hot water tank does not need to be replaced if the bladder in the expansion tank goes bad.

[CFrance]

There are two tanks, the hot water tank and the expansion tank. The expansion tank is small, about 15 inches high, and attaches to a single water line, usually above the hot water tank.

The expansion tank contains a bladder. The bladder cannot be replaced, if it goes bad then the entire expansion tank needs to be replaced.

The hot water tank does not need to be replaced if the bladder in the expansion tank goes bad.
Got it, thanks.

[Topspinmo]

VT, are you saying that if the bladder goes you need to replace the whole tank? We replaced the bladder a couple years ago, but the tank seems fine. Our house was built in 2011. I'm guessing the tank will go soon, but don't know what to look for. (that was a two-part question, sorry!)

////// already answered.

[New Englander]

There are two tanks, the hot water tank and the expansion tank. The expansion tank is small, about 15 inches high, and attaches to a single water line, usually above the hot water tank.

The expansion tank contains a bladder. The bladder cannot be replaced, if it goes bad then the entire expansion tank needs to be replaced.

The hot water tank does not need to be replaced if the bladder in the expansion tank goes bad.

:agree: