Did You Know.....? Important Information About Your Water Heater

For some time, the City has been using a special valve to prevent backflow when homes are hooked up to the City's water system. The intent is to prevent any cross-contamination from a particular home to pass on its "gray water" to the City's water supply and their neighbors.

While this device is helpful toward ensuring the quality of the City's water, it presents a challenge to home owners who use the tank system of heating water --- which is almost everyone.

Heat expands, as we learned in grade school. Water in a water heater tank will also expand when heated. In a plumbing system with a backflow prevention valve (also known as a "closed system") there is nowhere for the water to expand to. This puts extra pressure on the piping system and the water heater, possibly reducing the life of either or both.

Many people mistakenly believe that the release valve at the top or the side of the tank will open for expanding water, but this is not true. These valves are activated by elevated temperatures and not pressure.

One of the solutions to this problem is a thermal expansion tank that is installed close to the water heater on the cold water (entry) line which will allow for expansion and relieve pressure from the tank itself (extending its life) and the plumbing system. If installing a new water heater you should check your warranty. Many warranties will tell the owner that the warranty will be void if the water heater is installed in a closed system without an thermal expansion tank.

Do-It-Yourselfers, when obtaining their free permit from City Hall, should inquire as to whether or not their home is a "closed system" so that they can know to install their thermal expansion tank, if necessary.

If your home doesn't have this will you be fined? No. Will we come looking for these? No. This is for your information so that when and if you replace your water heater you will be better informed and hopefully it will add life to your new replacement.

Jim Bushart

Building Inspector