How To Test My Expansion Tank

Have you ever noticed a small metal tank usually blue or white, sitting near your water heater? That’s called a thermal expansion tank. It might look like just another piece of hardware, but it’s doing a huge job to protect your home. There is a quick way to test it in just a few seconds.

The Science Behind Why You Need One

Think back to science class: When you heat water, it expands. In a closed plumbing system, that expanding water has nowhere to go. Without an expansion tank, the pressure in your pipes shoots up every time your water heater kicks on, putting a ton of unnecessary wear and tear on your faucets and fixtures, dishwasher and refrigerator ice maker. The expansion tank acts like a “safety balloon”, giving that extra water a place to go so your pipes don’t feel the squeeze.

How to Test and Knowing What to Look For

Because these tanks have a rubber bladder inside that can eventually fail, you should test yours periodically. You don’t even need a toolbox, just a ballpoint pen. Locate the Schrader Valve, a small valve that looks exactly like the air valve on a car or bicycle tire, on the end or top of the tank. Use the tip of your pen to quickly press down on the center pin of that valve.

• If a little bit of air hisses out: Great! That means the tank is likely functioning properly.
• If no air comes out at all: It has failed. The pressure has leaked, and it’s not doing its job.
• If water squirts out: It has definitely failed. Meaning the internal bladder has ruptured.

If your test comes back “watery” or “silent,” don’t wait for a pipe to burst! Contact Blue Chip Plumbing here or give us a call today at (513) 999-6820, and we’ll get a new one installed for you.