Owning a home is a constant learning experience. When I replaced my furnace, I learned to always get multiple quotes. Now that I’m dealing with the water heater, I’m amazed at the range of quotes, from $600 to $2000! A better value has been the free opinions, including the suggestion that the water heater is fine and the expansion tank is broken.
This small tank on the cold water side has air on one side of a rubber diaphragm to absorb water pressure and keep the blow-off valve from opening and dumping water on the floor. A replacement tank was just $30, and installation took only half an hour and included the usual small shower that accompanies any amateur plumbing project. It’s reduced the amount of water released by the blow-off valve, but I’ve still got to dial in the tank’s air pressure, which is supposed to be equal to that of the incoming water.
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