Addressing thermal expansion proactively can help avoid costly repairs and prevent damage before it occurs. Read to learn how to manage thermal expansion alerts from your smart water security system!
Thermal expansion is a natural process within plumbing systems, making it essential to understand and manage effectively for both homeowners and insurance providers. As your trusted water security partner, we put this together to help you better understand thermal expansion and how to manage it! For help with addressing Thermal Expansion alerts in your smart water app, see more targeted help here in this article.
Most modern homes maintain essential water quality by virtue of a closed plumbing system – these systems are configured in such a way to prevent backflow and ensure water flows in the right direction (from the source to the drain, and not in the other direction).
Most modern homes also enjoy hot water. When water heats up and expands in a closed plumbing system, there is an increase in volume – an expansion tank is usually installed on a water heater (tank, tankless) to have the capacity to hold this expansion. Without an expansion tank, the resulting pressure has nowhere to escape to and cause strain that can affect everything from the actual pipes to plumbing fixtures, especially water heaters.
Think about high pressure in a plumbing system similar to high pressure in the body; there is a safe level to stay between (industry standards recommend pressure to maintain somewhere between 31-79 PSI). Your automatic water shutoff valve or Watchdog, may be sending alerts related to thermal expansion or high pressure when the water is turned off or when testing nightly for small leaks.
The solution? You probably need an expansion tank. Learn more about thermal expansion below and schedule service online with a Beagle plumber if you are receiving alerts or need installation!
Thermal expansion occurs when water heats up and expands, increasing its volume and pressure within your plumbing system. When this happens, the excess water pressure has no place to escape. High pressure as a result of thermal expansion, over time can lead to:
Addressing thermal expansion proactively can help avoid costly repairs and prevent damage before it occurs. Implementing solutions such as automatic water shutoff valves, thermal expansion tanks and pressure-reducing valves work to ensure that pressure is maintained at a safe level (between 31-79 PSI). Smart water devices like automatic water shutoff valves can alert you to thermal expansion and allow you to test for its presence, in real-time. See more below on how to manage thermal expansion alerts from your smart water security system!
If you suspect or have been alerted to thermal expansion in your home, here are actionable steps to protect your plumbing:
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