Hot Water Expansion Tank leaking

[dnwong]

I just noticed this expansion tank sprung a leak. It drips 1 drop every few seconds so must be a very small pin hole.

Is this repairable? Anyone know if they have bladder or something inside to equalize the water pressures?

I was thinking some JB Weld...

[Vicegrip]

Replace ASAP/ They like to split open on the weld seam when they reach the end of service life. A pinhole is simply the place where the inside rust has made it all the way through first there is plenty more unseen rusted metal inside.

If you can't replace it today remove it and install a threaded plug until you can. It has not been working as an expansion tank for a while I bet. Yes, it has a bladder to make an air chamber. The bladders tend to fail, the air gets absorbed and they become future flood generators.

Take a sharpy and write the in service date and in big numbersreplace by date on the new one. IIRC most say right on the data sticker the service life is 10 years. Better to go 80% of rated service life. Cheap insurance.

Bitch slap the lazy ass plumber that mounted it right above the gas vent too. I might be inclined to move it away from the service life shortening extra heat it is getting.

[John Hallen]

^ X2. Great advice. I had one grenade on me not too long ago after I procrastinated. Replace ASAP.

By the way VG, the "You Matter" line in your signature, priceless.

[dnwong]

Thanks Vice, after googling around I came to the same conclusion that the bladder had probably failed. Well off to Lowes...

Replace ASAP/ They like to split open on the weld seam when they reach the end of service life. A pinhole is simply the place where the inside rust has made it all the way through first there is plenty more unseen rusted metal inside.

If you can't replace it today remove it and install a threaded plug until you can. It has not been working as an expansion tank for a while I bet. Yes, it has a bladder to make an air chamber. The bladders tend to fail, the air gets absorbed and they become future flood generators.

Take a sharpy and write the in service date and in big numbersreplace by date on the new one. IIRC most say right on the data sticker the service life is 10 years. Better to go 80% of rated service life. Cheap insurance.

Bitch slap the lazy ass plumber that mounted it right above the gas vent too. I might be inclined to move it away from the service life shortening extra heat it is getting.

[Trak Ratt]

Our new one is mounted horizontally w/a support strap. Can the OP just add a 90 degree angle and mount horizontally w/support strap to move away from vent??

[Vicegrip]

Yes.

[dnwong]

How about adding a section of PEX tubing and hanging the tank from the floor joist above?

I can do copper but being lazy and since I have to find all my stuff for sweating. Besides using PEX will relive the stress and vibration on a 5 gallon tank. (Original is 4.4).

[Vicegrip]

Don't know the code on that. Gut says copper.