Hello,
I had a plumber come out to install a thermal expansion tank near my hot water heater as my internal water pressure was reaching 160psi (which is my municipal water supply pressure) when the hot water heater fired.
The tank is a Watts PLT-5, which comes set from the factory with the bladder at 20psi.
The plumber did not adjust this charge and seemed surprised when I asked about it. I got the impression that he did not adjust any expansion tanks when they are installed.
My understanding was that these tanks need to be set to an internal pressure near that of your pressure reducing valve.
My pressure reducing valve is set to 60psi. I called the plumber's office and the tech called me back and said he can stop by to "try to pump it up," but I think I'd rather finish the job myself at this point..
So, how can I do this correctly? Do I need to remove the tank from the plumbing, or is shutting off the water and draining the lines sufficient? What should I pump it up to?
Am I in the wrong or right for thinking that what the plumber did is incorrect?
Is the tank possibly now damaged?
Thanks for any and all responses!
I had a plumber come out to install a thermal expansion tank near my hot water heater as my internal water pressure was reaching 160psi (which is my municipal water supply pressure) when the hot water heater fired.
The tank is a Watts PLT-5, which comes set from the factory with the bladder at 20psi.
The plumber did not adjust this charge and seemed surprised when I asked about it. I got the impression that he did not adjust any expansion tanks when they are installed.
My understanding was that these tanks need to be set to an internal pressure near that of your pressure reducing valve.
My pressure reducing valve is set to 60psi. I called the plumber's office and the tech called me back and said he can stop by to "try to pump it up," but I think I'd rather finish the job myself at this point..
So, how can I do this correctly? Do I need to remove the tank from the plumbing, or is shutting off the water and draining the lines sufficient? What should I pump it up to?
Am I in the wrong or right for thinking that what the plumber did is incorrect?
Is the tank possibly now damaged?
Thanks for any and all responses!