Has this expansion tank had it?

Was reading some threads discussing expansion tanks and it got me to look at mine. Looks to me like the connection into my tank is in pretty bad shape. I tried to add a 2 pictures here via photobucket. Hope I didn’t screw up – first time I tried this.






I haven’t had any leaks as far as I can tell anyway, but it looks to me like the connection point on the tank is pretty well corroded (I think I mean corrosion?) Maybe the green stuff on the valve is copper corrosion? (I’m in the process of correcting my house water – it is very acidic.)

Just looking for an opinion as to whether it would be safe to wait until the thing starts to leak before I replace it (or try to replace it anyway) – or is it not a good idea to wait that long? I wouldn’t want me or anyone else to get a surprise hot shower. Or does that even make sense?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated?

 

Looks like it already has ... or is leaking ... I think those green stains look like water drops that dried on the pipe ... and that white spot in the rust ...

You might be surprised though to find it's only surface rust ... unfortunately, you need to drain the tank and remove the valve to be sure ... might turn out all ya need is a wire brush, a shot of rustoleum, some teflon tape and some pipe dope ...

I'd wait till spring ... if it let me ... take my chances ... but that's just me ... your mileage may vary .

 

Thanks much Trooper!

Your opinion is very much appreciated. I think I’ll wait to spring and get out my wire brush etc. and do the type of look you are talking about.

One further question if/whenever you get a chance. I’ve heard you and other folks on the forum say that there should be some kind of hollow sound when you tap an expansion tank , which would indicate the tank is not water logged (I hope I got that right.)

When I tap my tank the echo always sounds like it is totally and completely empty? Does that mean anything or is it really impossible for me to hear the difference between empty and at least some water in there? Would completely empty mean some kind of problem? The psi I see on the pressure gauge always seems to be right at 15psi.

Thanks again!

 

Just to be safe, you might wanna put a pail under that spot ... I wouldn't hang it on the pipe/valve though, if it leaks and that pail got full, or someone cracked their haid on it ... no, on the ground below it ... and do due diligence ... (heh heh , he said do due) ...

I don't recall saying that tapping on the tank would tell you anything useful ... I usually say just the opposite ...

In normal operation, the compression tank is going to be like 1/2 to 2/3 full of water. That would be on a freshly filled system ... If your system is well piped, all the air that was in the system and the fresh water should find it's way into the tank and stay there. It's conceivable that over time, you _might_ end up with more air in tank as it was scoured from the system ... but it won't be much ...

The chances are that your tank is at least 1/2 full of water right now. If the pressure is hanging good, and you are SURE your gauge is functional and accurate, then don't worry about it.

The first indicator of a waterlogged tank is usually the release of the pressure valve... becuz most ppl probly never look at the gauge. If they _did_ look once in a while, there wouldn't be so many ppl posting about relief valves popping ...

 

Thanks trooper!

Gotcha! I’ll do the pail thing right now.

Sorry I tried to link the tapping thing to you. I was thinking about going back to double check before I said that – but because I was soooo sure- I didn’t bother. ( Oh me Oh my – was apparently one more senior moment. Scary when I think about what else I have 180 degrees wrong? )

I think my gauge is good but I see what you are saying about the importance of making sure your gauge is good and accurate. I’ll make sure it is and make a habit of monitoring.

(p. s . I have in fact been reading all the very informative discussions about PRV’s – but I’ll make damn sure I re-read them to make sure I got it right.)

Thanks again!

 

If you have an old warshin' m'sheen hose around, you could sacrifice it to make something like this ...

 

I just happen to have everything you show there. I think I will in fact make it!

thanks!

 

I just happen to have everything you show there. I think I will in fact make it!

thanks!