[Ellwoodrick]

Good for you! Having done a lot of my own plumbing work over the years a project like that is well within the reach of many who want to tackle it.

[Berwin]

Why do water heaters in Florida homes have expansion tanks?

[Blackbird45]

When it comes to the expansion tank, I discovered a massive leak two days before I was supposed to go up north for the holidays.
I called Frank Gay who sent a plumber within an hour he gave me the option to replace the expansion tank alone or the whole water tank, since I didn't have the time to go through the whole tank, I went with option one. He also suggested calling a restoration company to repair any damage the water had caused. They were here in less than 1/2 hour and put drying machines in the garage where the tank is enclosed in a closet and the wall in my kitchen that butts up against the garage wall. Also had to call for air conditioning repair because the water also caused damage to a small electrical panel that controls my thermostat. When I returned the insurance company sent an inspector to survey the damage. They connected me with a company that will repair whatever damage there is and the insurance company said they will also put me in alternative housing if they have to shut off my water to do the repairs. The insurance company said they will pay for all the damages due to the leak, but not the cost of what cause the leak, which was the expansion tank and cost about $500. I commend the person who did his own repairs, but you better be handy, I don't think you want to go through what I'm dealing with right now.

[frayedends]

I had Home Depot installing a new tank for me up here in MA. They arrived, brought the heater down to my basement. I confirmed it was the correct model. Then they tried to jack up the install price by saying they had to replace the pressure relief valve and then lying and saying it was a different size so I needed to pay for adapters. It was not a different size. The pressure valve was already part of HD's install package. They were just scammers. I made them hall it away.

If it wasn't gas I'd have installed myself, but I ended up buying it and having it installed by a local plumber that I could trust.

[wamley]

Not necessarily, I had my HWH replaced as it was installed in 2005 when the house was built with no expansion tank. SECO replaced the tank, added the expansion tank for $25 a month for 5 years $1500. I thought that was resonable vs laying out 12-15 hundred up front.

[Romad]

Originally Posted by jswirs

You must be joking. I would like to know how many hot water tanks have drain piping to the outside when the tank is located in the garage.

Quite a few actually. However, the drain pan and piping are already there, so I don’t understand the question.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Berwin

Why do water heaters in Florida homes have expansion tanks?

Not just Florida, they are required almost everywhere. The expansion tank helps to maintain a safe water pressure in your house. It has air in the top of the tank that prevents unsafe pressure when the hot water expands due to thermal expansion. It allows the expanding water to push up on the diaphragm that separates the water from the air in the expansion tank.

For example, if you use a lot of hot water by taking several showers, the hot water in the water heater will be replaced with cold water. Then, if you turn off all plumbing outlets and leave the house, the water heater will heat up the cold water in the tank. This will cause thermal expansion and a significant rise in water pressure. The expansion tank allows the pressure to be relieved.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Berwin

Why do water heaters in Florida homes have expansion tanks?

They have expansion tanks to prevent pressure build up when water is heated and expands.

All homes have a backflow preventer installed to protect the city water supply. This device prevents water from flowing out of your house back into the main lines. When cold water is heated it expands and takes up more space. With your faucets closed and the backflow preventer in place the expanding water has no place to go. With nowhere to go, the expansion causes the water pressure inside your home to increase, potentially to a point where something breaks.

In my home, the increased pressure forced its way out of my shower. I could see that it had leaked throughout the night and I was looking into faucet valve replacements.

The expansion tank provides a space for the water to expand into. Instead of increasing pressure in the lines, the water flows into the tank. The pressure in the lines may increase a tiny amount but nothing like the increase if there was no room for expansion.

I was lucky and was able to repair my tank. I also bought a replacement that now sits in the box ready to be installed when it is needed.

[Babubhat]

I once tried to have them install a dishwasher. Complete fiasco. Installers they sent had no clue. Sent it back. Never again

[Boffin]

Originally Posted by npwalters

I needed to replace my water heater due to a small leak. I found the one I wanted at Home Depot. 40 gallon electric with a 6 year warranty at a cost of $439 plus tax.

I checked with Home Depots installation contractor and told the lady which unit I wanted. She gave me a quote of $1,400 to install it (in the same location in my garage) and remove the existing one. I questioned the approximate $800 dollars JUST for installation and she became very condescending and told me that was a standard quote, I didn't understand the costs involved, and if I called Lowes it would be the same since she also did those quotes.

I said no thanks. The next day I went to Home Depot, bought the water heater and the items I needed to install it. I drained and removed the old one and installed the new in less than 3 hours. Full disclosure - since it is in the garage and the water connections are easily visible and accessible I used Shark Bite connectors. I put the old one on the street and called for pickup which cost me $10.

Bottom line is the entire cost was under $500 by doing it myself. Yes, I am a little handy and comfortable with the electrical and basic plumbing.

There are contractors on this site that are much more reasonable than my experience with the HD sub. I post this to inform anyone that cares that there ARE contractors out there that will take advantage of you, especially in TV. A few phone calls could save you a few bucks.

Remember to fill the expansion tank bladder with air to the correct pressure.

[1009 wilder]

if you live in the villages it will cost more to live a rip off

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by photo1902

You read my mind. And let's not even get in to the SharkBite fittings

Plumbers use shark bite style fittings. How do I know this? I had plumbing work done and guess what shark bite fittings installed. And why wouldn’t they easy to install and remove. Besides most don’t know difference between shark bite or dog bite.

[lpkruege1]

Originally Posted by photo1902

The expansion tank is attached to the water heater. Best practice is to NOT use the existing expansion tank, but to replace. Not to mention reinforcing the installation of the tank with proper fittings (not having the 3/4" CPVC) support it.

You mean like the contractor installed it? Mine was simply installed hanging on the 3/4 CPVC. So as long as the bladder is still good it simply needs to be refilled with air. They should be checked from time to time and refilled. You need to know what your water pressure is for your home. You would need a gauge to test your water pressure and then based on the tanks recommendations, fill the tank to the correct pressure. A replacement tank is about $50 the gauge and adapter another $30 but now you get rid of the yearly service call. A little time on the internet can save a lot of dollars. It depends on how handy you are and if you have any tools.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Plumbers use shark bite. How do I know this? I had plumbing work done and guess what shark bite fittings installed. And why wouldn’t they easy to install and remove.

That's your perogative. I do my own plumbing, but if I hired a plumber that used SharkBites, I'd find another plumber. Also, SharkBite sells solvent weld, in addition to push-to connect, so you'd need to see which they used.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Blackbird45

When it comes to the expansion tank, I discovered a massive leak two days before I was supposed to go up north for the holidays.
I called Frank Gay who sent a plumber within an hour he gave me the option to replace the expansion tank alone or the whole water tank, since I didn't have the time to go through the whole tank, I went with option one. He also suggested calling a restoration company to repair any damage the water had caused. They were here in less than 1/2 hour and put drying machines in the garage where the tank is enclosed in a closet and the wall in my kitchen that butts up against the garage wall. Also had to call for air conditioning repair because the water also caused damage to a small electrical panel that controls my thermostat. When I returned the insurance company sent an inspector to survey the damage. They connected me with a company that will repair whatever damage there is and the insurance company said they will also put me in alternative housing if they have to shut off my water to do the repairs. The insurance company said they will pay for all the damages due to the leak, but not the cost of what cause the leak, which was the expansion tank and cost about $500. I commend the person who did his own repairs, but you better be handy, I don't think you want to go through what I'm dealing with right now.

The expansion tank just screws off and on. Probably the easiest plumbing work with minimal skills (meaning know how to shut water off and drain pressure and know righty righty lefty lousy) could do as long as you put thread tape on threads and pressurize it to 55 PSI or what ever water pressure is in your area. Which you can test with 8 dollar gage. Last time I brought pressure tank it was around $40 bucks took 15 mins to replace. Mine bladder was leaking sounded solid.