{"id":13046,"date":"2021-12-28T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T18:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/?p=13046"},"modified":"2023-06-11T09:51:47","modified_gmt":"2023-06-11T17:51:47","slug":"how-to-plumb-an-expansion-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/how-to-plumb-an-expansion-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plumb and Install an Expansion Tank?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/how-to-plumb-an-expansion-tank\/#What_are_Expansion_Tanks_and_Why_Should_We_Install_Them\" >What are Expansion Tanks and Why Should We Install Them?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/how-to-plumb-an-expansion-tank\/#What_to_do_before_installation\" >What to do before installation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/how-to-plumb-an-expansion-tank\/#What_to_use_when_installing_an_expansion_tank\" >What to use when installing an expansion tank<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/how-to-plumb-an-expansion-tank\/#How_to_plumb_an_expansion_tank\" >How to plumb an expansion tank?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article from Linquip, we want to talk about <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These devices protect pipes and plumbing systems and are necessary for every place, whether residential or industrial. If you are eager to know <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, then continue reading.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_Expansion_Tanks_and_Why_Should_We_Install_Them\"><\/span><b>What are Expansion Tanks and Why Should We Install Them?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion tanks are devices protecting pipes in plumbing systems. These tanks contain a pressure-limiting valve or back-flow preventer. When installing a new water heater, you may need to install an expansion tank because of your local building code. You should also install an expansion tank for an existing water heater to add protection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13085\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-1.jpg\" alt=\"How to Plumb an Expansion Tank\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_do_before_installation\"><\/span><b>What to do before installation?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to know <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, first you need to have a plan. Sketch out a diagram on how to run a branch line off of your water supply to the expansion tank. You\u2019ll need a line from the expansion tank to a tee-fitting that will be installed in the cold water supply line. You\u2019ll also need a few elbow fittings. Then, choose a spot. PEX lines are easier to deal with, but many places use copper lines, which make the job a bit more complicated but still doable. Decide where you want to install the expansion tank and make sure it\u2019s as close to the water heater as possible. You should place the expansion tank above the water heater by at least 18 inches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_use_when_installing_an_expansion_tank\"><\/span><b>What to use when installing an expansion tank<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To install an expansion tank, you need multiple tools. These tools are among common tools that can be found in every place that has a person with such hubbies. Keep in mind that you can always ask an expert to help you install an expansion tank. Using an expert to install such items is always a safer option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For installing an expansion tank you\u2019ll need these tools:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thermal expansion tank<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pipe wrench or channel-lock pliers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pipe-sealing tape<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dielectric water heater nipple<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\/4-inch copper female-threaded unions (x2)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\/4-inch copper pipe<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\/4-inch copper tee-fitting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copper flex pipes (if necessary)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional 3\/4-inch copper fittings (as needed)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plumbing soldering equipment (if necessary)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These were all the tools you\u2019ll need for installing an expansion tank. Now, let\u2019s learn <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13087\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-3.jpeg\" alt=\"How to Plumb an Expansion Tank\" width=\"748\" height=\"559\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-3.jpeg 748w, https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-3-300x224.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-3-696x520.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/How-To-Plumb-An-Expansion-Tank-3-265x198.jpeg 265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 748px) 100vw, 748px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_plumb_an_expansion_tank\"><\/span><b>How to plumb an expansion tank?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To install an expansion tank, you should usually consider a place above the water heater. They are installed via a tee-fitting installed in the cold water delivery pipe. If you have limited space, you can install your expansion tank vertically, but it is advised to install them horizontally. The plumbing pipes of your place determine the plumbing fittings you should use. But usually, copper pipes and fittings are used to make the connections. Usually, tee-fitting and short lengths, threaded or sweat-soldered pipes connect the expansion tank\u2019s 3\/4-inch threaded fitting to the cold water pipe. Now that you know the basics, let\u2019s get into the details of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step1: Attach a dielectric union<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first step, after correctly positioning the water heater, you should attach a dielectric union to the entry port of the cold water. Find the threads of the union and wrap them with pipe sealing tape. Now, use a pipe wrench or channel-lock plier and thread it into the inlet port of the cold water on the heater.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step2: Attach the copper adapter<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the second step of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, use the top threads of the union as the base to wrap several loops of pipe sealing tape around it. Then, use a female threaded copper adapter and thread it onto the union. Use a pipe wrench or channel-lock pliers and tighten them securely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step3: Attach a tee-fitting<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut a short length of copper pipe and a tee-fitting and install them to the adapter on the dielectric union of the water heater. Keep in mind that you should install the tee-fitting about one foot above the water heater. This is because it should have a space to provide suitable clearance for the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Expansion_tank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expansion tank<\/a>. You can make these connections by using push-fit connections (aka shark-bite) or sweat-soldering. Using sweat-soldering is more common among plumbers to make these connections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step4: Attach the expansion tank pipe<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the fourth step on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you should use a sweat-soldering or use a push-fit connection in order to connect a small horizontal copper pipe to the side outlet of the tee-fitting that you\u2019ve connected in the previous step. You should cut the copper pipe based on your available space, but the smaller, the better. Keep in mind that it should be less than 6 inches. Pick a female threaded adapter and by utilizing a sweat-soldering or a push-fit connection, attach it to the end of the horizontal pipe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step5: Attach the expansion tank<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this step, you should wrap a piece of pipe-sealing tape around the threaded fitting that has been placed on the expansion tank. After that, you should use a screwdriver to screw it onto the threaded adapter on the horizontal pipe. You can also tighten it by hand but make sure not to over-tighten it since it can damage the fittings or the pipes and ruin the whole setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Step6: Finalize the installation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The last step on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to finalize the installation. Use a copper flex line or rigid pipes to connect the top outlet of the tee-fitting to the cold water supply pipe. Connect the water heater to the hot-water pipe connections as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, turn the water heater on. By opening the water valves, check the working process and look for leaks in the pipes. If you see no leaks, then you\u2019re good to go!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That was all there is to know about <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to plumb an expansion tank<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. What do you think about this process? Have you done it before? Or did you ask an expert to install the expansion tank for you? Share your experience in the comment section with us. If you have any questions about this process, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/sign-up?client_redirect=\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">signup<\/a> on Linquip and our expert will answer all your questions in a flash.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Buy Equipment or Ask for a Service<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>By using Linquip RFQ Service, you can expect\u00a0to receive quotations from various suppliers across multiple industries and regions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/linquip.com\/get-quote?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_campaign=product_list&amp;utm_term=product_list&amp;utm_content=rfq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click Here to Request a Quotation From Suppliers and Service Providers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read More on Linquip<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a title=\"What Is Conduction Convection and Radiation? 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These devices protect pipes and plumbing systems and are necessary for every place, whether residential or industrial. If you are eager to know how to plumb an expansion tank, then continue reading. What are Expansion Tanks and Why Should &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13046"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29887,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13046\/revisions\/29887"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}