Thermal Expansion
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Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. would like you to take a few minutes and read this article about thermal expansion. The idea behind thermal expansion is when water is heated, it expands! Reacting to physical law, water expands in volume as its temperature rises. For example, your water heater in your home/business goes through a “recovery process” each time hot water is used. Normally, this process occurs several times daily, depending on how often hot water is demanded. As hot water is used, it is replaced with cold system water and the water heater begins to heat that water to the desired temperature setting on the water heater. This recovery cycle creates a condition known as thermal expansion. Since water is virtually incompressible, the expanded water cannot be accommodated in the piping system through which it travels and it therefore can act like a hydraulic ram, exerting an increase in pressure to potentially dangerous levels. In turn, these levels created can explode with the force of dynamite. |
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Thermal expansion of water in a closed plumbing system can create a number of annoying and potentially dangerous problems. They include pressures being exerted on the fittings, fixtures and appliances. It can also lead to a ruptured or distorted hot water heating tank and may void the manufacture’s warranty. In addition, dripping faucets and leaking toilet tank ball cock fill valves are also symptomatic of thermal expansion. |
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The next Questions you’re wondering is, “How do I protect from thermal expansion?” Protection from thermal expansion is provided in a plumbing system by the installation of a low cost, simple to install thermal expansion tank in the hot water system piping downstream of the hot water tank and a temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P valve). The thermal expansion tank controls the increased pressure generated within the normal operating temperature range of the water heater. The small tank with a sealed compressible air cushion provides a space to store and hold the additional expanded water volume. |
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The home/business owner should check to see that an expansion tank and T&P valve are in place. If there is any doubt you should contact Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. and schedule a free estimate to install a thermal expansion tank and save on future expenses due to thermal expansion. |
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