Relocating an Expansion Tank. DIY advice needed.

[salt&pepper]

We have an expansion tank that currently rests horizontally on top of our boiler. The tank is only supported underneath by 2 scrap pipes. What worries me is that these scrap pipes barely provides a stable support for the expansion tank. I have been contemplating on relocating the expansion tank to the left wall of the boiler room. In this way, I will be able to relieve the boiler of the downward pressure exerted by the tank especially when it becomes waterlogged. I have attached a picture and diagrams to this post to provide a much clearer idea of the situation. I have also noticed that the expansion tank is on the outlet side of the circulator pump instead of being on the inlet side. I have learned that this arrangement is neither ideal nor recommended. My question is would it still be safe for me to extend the pipe all the way to the left wall to give the expansion tank a new place? Is there a maximum distance between the supply/boiler and the expansion tank to which I should be paying attention? I think I may have to run 4 feet of additional pipe from the original point of connection of the tank to its new location. Unfortunately, I cannot relocate the expansion tank to the immediate right wall because this wall shelters the breaker panel and most of the electrical wiring of the house. I plan to use Flamco’s Nexus Flexconsole to hang the expansion tank. This means that I will have to drive a lag bolt into the wall one way or another. The left wall appears to be a favorable option for this step. I would be very grateful for all your help and advice. Thank you.

 

[Fitter30]

Your ex tank shouldn't be working piped on the supply side of the pump. They are ment to to on the suction side. As for as moving the tank moving it to the wall or strapped to the floor joist the tank will still work. Adding a shut off and drain valve to the tank piping work make service alot easier.

About my expansion tank...

We get questions regarding locating and orientation of expansion tanks. Can I mount the tank on its ...

www.caleffi.com

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

The expansion tank can be wherever you want it to be. Adding pipe to move it won't effect it you'll just want to be able to bleed the air from piping you add. A valve to bleed the air would be helpful.

Yes your expansion tank should connect on the suction side of your pump.

 

[salt&pepper]

Your ex tank shouldn't be working piped on the supply side of the pump. They are ment to to on the suction side. As for as moving the tank moving it to the wall or strapped to the floor joist the tank will still work. Adding a shut off and drain valve to the tank piping work make service alot easier.

About my expansion tank...

We get questions regarding locating and orientation of expansion tanks. Can I mount the tank on its ...

www.caleffi.com

Thank you Fitter30. Your response is very helpful. I like your idea of adding a shut off and drain valve.

 

[salt&pepper]

The expansion tank can be wherever you want it to be. Adding pipe to move it won't effect it you'll just want to be able to bleed the air from piping you add. A valve to bleed the air would be helpful.

Yes your expansion tank should connect on the suction side of your pump.

Thank you John. I’ll keep that in mind. And yes, it kind of bothers me that the tank was not installed on the suction side. I may not be able to correct this problem right away but in the meantime, I should be able to relocate the expansion tank without causing any problem. By “valve to bleed the air…” I presume you meant air vent. Please correct me if I misunderstood this. Also, would an air scoop be beneficial in this setup?

 

[John Gayewski]

Thank you John. I’ll keep that in mind. And yes, it kind of bothers me that the pump was not installed on the suction side. I may not be able to correct this problem right away but in the meantime, I should be able to relocate the expansion tank without causing any problem. By “valve to bleed the air…” I presume you meant air vent. Please correct me if I misunderstood this. Also, would an air scoop be beneficial in this setup?

If you have a plain ball valve installed you can loosely attach the tank, open the ball valve, bleed the air, the tighten the tank. That should be good enough to get the air out of this new "dead leg".

 

[salt&pepper]

If you have a plain ball valve installed you can loosely attach the tank, open the ball valve, bleed the air, the tighten the tank. That should be good enough to get the air out of this new "dead leg".

John, thank you very much. I’ll keep this in mind.