Hot Water Expansion Tanks

How Water Expansion Tank Making Noise or Is It?

Also, if you live in an old house you might be familiar with a banging or hammer sound when you turn off the hot water faucet.

This banging sound is due to a sudden change in water pressure and is known as water hammer. Hot water expansion tanks prevent this water hammer effect that can lead to the potential damage of your hot water heating system or domestic hot water system.

A hot water expansion tank is usually about half full of air and half full of water. The air and water are separated by a flexible diaphragm. As the water is heated the water expands upwards putting pressure on the diaphragm.

This pressure pushes the diaphragm upwards into the air portion of the tank, thus relieving the pressure in the closed heating system. The process works exactly the same for the domestic hot water system.

Troubleshooting a Hot Water Expansion Tank

Over time expansion tanks wear out. Typically the diaphragm breaks and water works its way into the upper half of the tank. When this happens the expansion tank fails to operate properly. When this occurs your hot water heating system or domestic hot water system are at threat of being damaged due to high pressure in the systems and water hammer effects.

How Water Expansion Tank Making Noise when Tapping on it?

You can determine if you expansion tank has a problem by tapping on it. It should sound hollow about half way up. If it does not, and instead you hear a thud sound when you tap on the upper half, then the expansion tank’s diaphragm is probably damaged or not working. In addition, the tank should be warm on the bottom and cool on top if it is operating correctly.

This tells you that the pressure in the hot water system is too high, which could indicate that the expansion tank has failed.

Though they look like a larger static object that just hangs off your boiler system with no real purpose, expansion tanks indeed do play an important role in protecting your hot water heating system and your boiler. Consequently, it is a good idea to periodically check your boiler’s expansion tank and make sure that it is in working order. If it is not, consider calling in a plumber.