Expansion tanks are devices in commercial and residential plumbing systems that control the impact of thermal expansion as water heats up in the water heater to prevent excess pressure. However, sometimes water pressure can get too high, which causes damage to valves, joints and the water heater. Although expansion tanks are crucial, there are some still some unavoidable problems.
1. Low Air in Diaphragm Tank
The most common expansion tank problem in a diaphragm tank is losing small amounts of air through the valve. When this occurs, more air needs to be added to the tank. The homeowner would probably not know the tank wasn’t doing its job and damage can start to occur to the plumbing fixtures.
2. Venting Water
Due to normal wear and tear, your expansion tank might start to leak. Thoroughly inspect your tank to find leak.
3. Hydronic Airlock
When air gets trapped in your expansion tank it is called as hydronic airlock. Air is crucial in maintaining pressure in the water tank, but high volume can cause a blockage.
4. Steel Expansion Tanks Needs Recharging
Steel tanks maintain pressure by combining water and air inside the tank, and sometimes water can absorb small amounts of air. When this happens, the tank will lose pressure.
5. Excess Moisture
When water temperature gets too high or there is too high of pressure, condensation forms on the outside of the expansion tank. High pressure or high water temperature can damage valves and fixtures.
To eliminate these potential problems, both IPC 2018 and UPC 2021 have changed their standards calling for expansion tanks to require thermal expansion devices, like the BEECO MI-CONTROL Thermal Expansion Valve. This device not only eliminates all these problems, but it is fully adjustable in the field and can be field set from 80 PSI all the way up to 150 PSI.
The valve is installed on the cold-water intel of the water heater and has a built-in ball valve. This replaces both the expansion tank and shut off valve while taking up 10% of the space.
The device comes with IPS, Sweat or PEX connections. The device is designed to let a few drops of water released from the plumbing system when the thermal expansion gets to the set point of the relief valve. The valve comes with 4 different drain options in the box (PEX, IPS, Barb and Compression) so you can plumb to the drain already there for the T&P valve on the water heater.
The MIFAB/BEECO MI-CONTROL is designed tested and approved to IGC 128 IAPMO/ANSI Z1157 and CSA B125.3
