A typical water heater has a tank to hold the water during the heating process and keep it at the ready once it’s been heated. However, most water heaters also need a secondary tank called a thermal expansion tank. This is a smaller tank that typically sits above the water heater and holds both water and air.

Here are the basics you need to know about these thermal expansion tanks.

As you can determine from the name, a thermal expansion tank is needed to allow hot water to expand as it heats up without damaging the interior of the plumbing system. While a metal expansion tank itself doesn’t expand, it can still allow for water expansion by using air pressure.

The expansion tank is connected to the cold water line, since water tends to expand back up the line from the water heater, and it contains an air compartment. Air pressurizes more easily than water, so when excess water needs somewhere to go, it pushes into the expansion tank and against the stretchy diaphragm. The air in the tank compresses to make room for water.

How to Know If You Need a Thermal Expansion Tank

You may need an expansion tank added to your plumbing system after the fact when you notice that water is reaching too-high pressures inside the system. Some signs that you could have too much water pressure in the system include:

Some high water pressure problems can also have other causes. Your 

 can help you determine whether you need an expansion tank, a 

What Maintenance and Care Thermal Expansion Tanks Need

Regular plumbing maintenance is a normal need for plumbing components such as your 

, and the thermal expansion tank is no exception. While its needs are few, the tank should be inspected by a professional plumber on a regular basis and anytime you suspect it’s not working properly.

The plumber can check to ensure that the air and water inside the tank are still properly separated. Without this separation, the tank would simply fill up with water and not allow any further compression and may need to be recharged. The plumber can also check the internal pressure of the tank to ensure it’s within the correct parameters.

You may wonder why you’ve just started noticing the symptoms of excess water pressure and why you didn’t need an expansion tank before. One answer is that while expansion tanks are typically needed for closed plumbing systems, yours may not originally have been a closed system.

The difference between an open and closed plumbing system is whether or not cold water can back up into the waterline. If you’ve recently had a backflow preventer or a check valve installed on your main water line, the water won’t be able to flow backward to relieve excess pressure, instead forming a closed system that needs an expansion tank.

Different sizes of expansion tanks can handle different sizes of water heaters. For instance, a 120-gallon water heater will need a much larger expansion tank than a 40-gallon heater. When in doubt, choose a larger size of expansion tank.

Keep in mind that your expansion tank needs to be large enough to serve your entire plumbing system. So if you have multiple water heaters, you’ll need a larger expansion tank. If you’re not confident about which tank to choose, your plumber can help you calculate the best size to install.

These basics can help you navigate through installing and maintaining your thermal installation tank. For more information about water heaters and thermal expansion tank services, get in touch with 

Basics of Thermal Expansion Tanks for Water Heaters

Water inefficiency is bad for both your pocket and the environment. Fortunately, you can take a wide range of measures to avoid water wastage at home. Below are some of these measures.

Water appliances have different efficiencies. Choose the highest efficiency within your budget whenever you want to install an appliance. Here are some useful examples of such appliances:

Water appliances are becoming more efficient as time goes on — and without compromising on functionality. If you have old appliances, the chance is high that the contemporary market has numerous efficient appliances you can use to update your current appliances.

Water heaters come in different varieties, but you can choose between two major categories — 

. The tank system heats and stores hot water, while the tankless system only heats water when you need it.

A tankless water heater is both energy- and water-efficient. Water efficiency is possible because the appliance instantly heats the water when you need it. Thus, you don’t have to wait for some cold water to flow down the drain as the water heats.

Low water pressure reduces the risk of water leaks, which high water pressure can cause by forcing its way through small spaces in pipe joints. Additionally, low water pressure reduces water delivery per minute, which reduces overall water use. Both of these perks can help you achieve better water efficiency in your home.

To lower the water pressure in your home, adjust the pressure regulator that sits just after the water meter outside the house. Ensure the pressure reading doesn’t exceed 80 psi.

A leaking plumbing system wastes water and makes you pay for the water you aren’t using. Because of this, you’ll want to prevent and plug leaks as soon as they occur. The following tips should help:

Install a leak detector to alert you as soon as a leak occurs. If you detect a leak, shut off your 

Did you know you can recycle some of the wastewater from your house for reuse? A typical house produces two types of wastewater — black and gray water. The black water comes from the toilet and shouldn’t be recycled. Grey water comes from various other sources, such as showers, sinks, and bathtubs, and you can often recycle this water.

You can install a recycling system that separates the grey water from the black water and purifies it. The installation is especially easy and cost-effective during construction. You can use the water for non-consumption activities, such as watering the lawn and washing clothes.

If you choose to install one of these systems, ensure you follow your state’s water recycling regulations.

Changing your water-usage habits can have a big effect on your overall water efficiency. Some things you can do include the following:

Indoctrinate all household members to water-saving tips — collective efforts work better than individual efforts.

Three things are critical to your water conservation efforts — good plumbing installation, proper maintenance, and water-usage habits. 

 can help you with the first two things. We also provide emergency services to those who need immediate help after hours. 

 with your plumbing problem to get a professional solution.

How to Conserve Water In Your Home

A clogged drain is one of the main plumbing issues that homeowners face. The problem happens when solid objects, such as food and dirt, block the waste pipes. If unattended, the clogs can result in slow draining bathtubs or sinks as well as a foul odor.

Some clogs can happen without your knowledge, but the good thing is that you can get rid of them in time to prevent further plumbing issues. Here’s what you should know about clogged drains.

You can save both time and money if you solve a clogged drain issue early enough. Here are the main signs to watch out for:

 can address the issue and give you helpful tips to prevent a similar problem in the future.

Below is a list of some of the most common causes of drain clogs and an explanation of how to prevent the clogs.

Soap is a primary cause of drain clogs in homes with hard water. Soap residue, commonly known as scum, forms every time you bathe or wash. The residue sticks on the drainpipes and reduces the diameter of the pipes. With time, the residue can completely block the drainage, and this causes a drain clog.

To prevent this issue, use a water softener if you have hard water in your home. Also, clean the drains regularly with a long brush to get rid of any residue on the walls of the pipes.

A common misconception is that all the dirt goes down the drain whenever you clean your bathroom or sink. However, sometimes, the dirt will stick on the pipes and might cause clogs if it accumulates for an extended period.

Clean your drains well. Schedule regular plumbing inspections to have your drains checked of any objects that may affect the smooth flow of water.

Fat, oil, or grease can solidify in your drainage pipe and cause drainage issues. However, fats can only cause severe drainage issues when they accumulate for a long time or mix with other types of dirt particles.

Don’t allow oil, fat, or grease to go down any drains. If it happens accidentally, pour hot water down the drain to remove the fats.

Additionally, don’t dispose of food remains down the drain either, because they contain oil or fats that may cause future drain clogs.

Tree roots or leaves can find their way into your drainage pipes and cause water passage problems.

If the roots affect your drainage system, you may need to trim or remove the nearby trees. Trim the twigs too so that they don’t fall into the drainage and cause plumbing issues.

Drain clogs can be a nuisance, whether they happen in the sink, toilet, or bathtub. Fortunately, you can often unclog them yourself. For example, you may want to try a baking soda and vinegar solution

 You can mix these two ingredients to get rid of the tougher clogs. Pour the concoction on the sink or the clogged pipes, scrub with a long brush, and rinse with clean water.

You should only try this DIY hack for minor drain clogs and 

Drain clogs can cause costly damages if you don’t solve them early enough. Call a plumbing expert if the clogs interfere with your daily activities at home. At Moon Valley Plumbing and Rooter, we use the latest plumbing technology to identify and fix drain clogs. 

 to get quick help for your plumbing issues.

Drain Clogs: Everything You Should Know

The water that runs into your home is extremely important. Now more so than ever, Americans are getting a vast majority of their drinking water from home, and if you are not sure how safe your water is, you may be welcoming in some unfortunate health complications. One of the most common questions that we get from our Arizona customers is “Do I need a water filter or a water softener?” You might think that these two water purifying devices do the same thing, but you would be sorely mistaken. If you are interested in improving the quality of water flowing into your home, 

schedule an appointment with the elite plumbing team here at Moon Valley Plumbing today

. Our friendly and helpful technicians will make sure that you get the perfect system for your needs without breaking your budget. Here are some basic differences between water filtration systems and water softeners.

It may not seem like it at first glance, but water softeners and 

 serve very different functions. A water filter actively removes potentially dangerous particulates from your water like bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals. We recommend utilizing water filters for a number of reasons. If you are nervous about any potential chemical contamination in the water that you are drinking, a water filter can efficiently remove almost all of the harmful chemicals you may be worried about. Another reason to utilize a water filter is if you notice any strange taste or smell with the water in your home or business. Although not necessarily dangerous to your health, this bad smell or taste can be extremely off-putting to both you and your guests. Finally, if you live in a rural area and use well water that might be contaminated with Sulphur or iron, as it commonly can be, a water filter can easily remove these dangerous elements. Overall, a water filter will greatly improve the overall taste, clarity, and cleanliness of your water.

In order to understand what a water softener does, we first need to go into what hard water is. Hard water is a term that means that the water in your home is carrying a large amount of calcium and magnesium. This calcium and magnesium can cause your dishes to get spots on them, can cause dry or irritated skin, and can cause serious backup issues in your plumbing. A good water softener lowers the calcium and magnesium levels in your water to make it gentler on your skin and remove the white residue associated with hard water. A water softener will not remove other dangerous chemicals, so it is important that you make the right decision between these two fantastic water improvement products.

If you are interested in learning more about which of these water-improving methods is best for you, 

contact the friendly and helpful team here at Moon Valley Plumbing today

. We will help you get the perfect system for your home or business and have it installed quickly and efficiently so you can keep living your life without interruption.

Water Filtration Vs. Water Softener

, but other types of plumbing maintenance can be accessible to handy homeowners as well. The amount of home maintenance you do may depend on how much experience you have with home improvements and plumbing work.

Here are some of the types of home plumbing maintenance you can perform on your bathroom plumbing.

In some cases, a shower drain clog may consist of a wad of hair in the drain’s P-trap. In this case, you may be able to remove the clog with a simple plastic plumbing snake. If a gentle plastic snake doesn’t do the trick, you’ll want to call a professional; don’t try to use more advanced tools such as metal augers without the proper training, as they can damage your drain.

To use a plastic drain snake, you simply insert the end into the drain and turn the handle to twist it around until it snags any hair it finds inside the drain. If the drain clogs frequently, consider using a mesh drain screen to prevent future clogs. You can also have your drains 

 on a regular basis to prevent the buildup of grime inside the drains.

Faucet washers tend to wear out after a few years, which can cause the valve not to close completely and result in a leaking or dripping faucet. If you’re confident in your ability to take a faucet apart and then put it back together correctly, you may be able to switch these washers out yourself every few years to avoid any drips.

In fact, with a compression faucet, the replacement process is relatively simple. However, if you’re unsure what type of faucet you have or have less experience taking faucets apart and putting them back together, you can simply have your 

 perform the replacement at your next plumbing maintenance visit.

Changing the toilet flapper is one of the simple toilet maintenance tasks. Since the flapper is made of a rubbery material that doesn’t perform as well once it hardens with age, you may need a new flapper every so often. One sign you may need a new flapper is if your toilet runs constantly because water keeps leaking past the flapper into the toilet bowl.

If you look inside your toilet’s tank, you’ll typically see that the flush handle on the tank is connected (typically by a chain and lever) to a flapper at the bottom of the bowl. If you find an identical flapper at the hardware store, you can simply remove the old flapper and snap or slide the new one in.

You should periodically inspect your bathroom plumbing for leaks, so you’ll know if you need to call a plumber for repairs. Some of the places you should inspect include:

You can use a facial tissue to wipe down the outsides of pipes when checking for moisture since these tissues are very moisture-sensitive. However, if you find moisture on a pipe that has cold water in it, make sure you know the difference between condensation and an actual leak before you call a plumber.

These are some of the relatively straightforward maintenance tasks you can perform at home to care for your bathroom plumbing. These and similar plumbing tasks can either work well as part of your DIY maintenance schedule or can become professional jobs when your plumber arrives for regularly scheduled maintenance visits.

For more information about plumbing maintenance and repairs, get in touch with your local plumbing expert 

 today. We’ll be happy to help with anything from installation to replacements to maintenance and repairs of your plumbing system.

Bathroom Plumbing Maintenance You Can Do at Home

Your household plumbing system should operate quietly. If you often hear a loud knocking noise when shutting off a water fixture in your home, then that is a sign that you may have a common plumbing problem called a water hammer.

Water hammers typically occur when water in a home plumbing system suddenly changes direction or pressure in a home water pipes increases suddenly, causing pipe hydraulic shock. This shock can cause pipes to vibrate and bang against each other or against interior components of your walls, creating this knocking sound or even causing your home walls to vibrate.

Read on learn about water hammer hazards, along with their numerous causes and solutions.

A water hammer can be a symptom of an underlying plumbing system problem, and allowing pipes to vibrate and bang against each other for an extended period of time can lead to even more plumbing problems.

As pipes shake and knock against each other, pipe connections can loosen and joints can deteriorate. When pipe connections are no longer secure, water can begin leaking at these connection sites. Water leaks that occur inside of walls often go unnoticed until water begins seeping into interior living spaces and causing extensive damage.

Many home plumbing and appliance problems can lead to the development of water hammers.

Homes built before the 1960s typically have plumbing systems equipped with air chambers, which are pipe sections filled with air. These chambers help regulate pipe water pressure to limit water hammer occurrence. Over time, air chambers can fill with water, limiting their ability to prevent water hammers.

Thankfully, most homeowners can remove water from plumbing air chambers easily. First, shut off your home’s 

. Then, run all of your water fixtures until all water is drained from your home plumbing system. Finally, turn your main water supply valve back on.

Draining your entire home plumbing system typically removes all water from air chambers to help them begin performing their task properly again.

Loose Water Supply Lines or Old, Unstable Pipes

Some water hammers are caused by loose water supply lines or old pipes that are no longer secured to the home’s framework properly. When pipes are not secured to the home’s framework properly, they can move around and create noise as water flows through them.

If you suspect your water hammers are caused by old pipes lacking their proper fasteners, then have a plumber come 

 and attach fasteners where needed to stop water hammers.

While low water pressure can be an annoyance, water pressure that is too high can exert pressure on your pipes that can create numerous problems, including water hammers. Ideally, your water pressure should not exceed 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) to limit water hammer occurrence.

You can test your water pressure with a kit you can purchase at a local hardware store. If your water pressure exceeds 80 PSI, then have a licensed plumber add a pressure regulator to your home’s main water supply line to reduce water hammer occurrence.

If a water hammer occurs in your home only when you run one specific appliance, such as a 

, then the water hammer may be caused by the appliance. Washing machines and dishwashers often cause water hammers because their water valves close very quickly.

To stop a water hammer caused by a single home appliance, have a plumber install a fixture called a water hammer arrestor on the appliance or water line that serves it. A water hammer arrestor contains a cushion of air that absorbs hydraulic shock that can cause water hammers as the appliance water valve closes.

If you hear a knocking sound when you shut off a water fixture, you likely have a plumbing water hammer that could lead to a leaky pipe if it is not remedied. Contact the experts at 