A friend's heating battery was ripped off, because he was stingy and did not install an expansion tank

In recent years, all the materials and systems that are necessary for the construction of a private house have become very expensive. But at the same time, more and more people want to live in private houses, tend to leave the city. Of course, if there is an opportunity to arrange your life and work away from noise and eternal pollution.

But not everyone has the finances to build a house from scratch in a year with the help of hired workers. Therefore, numerous self-builders are trying to save on everything that is possible. Just recently I heard a story from a friend about a similar craftsman who saved on an expansion tank for the heating system, relying on a safety valve. As a result, one of his radiators was torn off, the floor was flooded with boiling water, which entailed such expenses, which could buy 20 expansion tanks.

What is an expansion tank for?

The liquid that is in the heating system increases in volume when heated, we all know this from physics lessons, if we did not skip them at school. The heating circuit is such a completely closed system in which water begins to expand when heated and can, simply, break some weak link. The pressure in the system increases, and where a shortage or defect is found, a rupture occurs. I have already told about its consequences. It's good if there are no people nearby, because burns can be terrible.

The expansion tank serves to reduce the pressure, it is into it, simply put, this excessive pressure is thrown off. It is completely sealed and has a special diaphragm that stretches or contracts as the pressure changes. It also helps to regulate the thermal circuit.

Moreover, the volume of the expansion tank is calculated not "by eye", but on a special calculator, which takes into account the volume of liquid in the system and its type - water or antifreeze. In general terms, the volume of the tank should be at least 1/10 of the liquid.

But in addition to the expansion tank, it is necessary to regulate and monitor the pressure in the system using a safety valve, which, at a critical pressure, will work and release excess. Of course, there must be a pressure gauge that will show the pressure value with an arrow. And yet, an automatic machine that removes air.

Thus, the expansion tank is an integral part of the heating system. Its cost is not so great as to neglect the security it provides. It costs no more than 3 thousand rubles. Compared to a heating boiler, which will cost at least 35 thousand rubles, these are mere pennies.

Therefore, I recommend everyone to listen to the advice of experts and do everything as it should be, and not as your understanding and the Russian "maybe" suggests.