Flawed Expansion Tank Installation

These expansion tanks are becoming more common, some are blue, some beige all slightly bigger than a gallon milk jug. Most often located at the water heater, these tanks allow heated water to expand in closed water systems without bursting the pipes. Installations like the one in the photo are a water leak time bomb, the tank is full of water and reasonably heavy. Without its weight being supported it will cause a pipe joint to break: not rocket science, but then neither are plumbers rocket scientists. Remedial work is required to prevent a disaster. Most plumbers use metal tape with holes in it available at most hardware stores, looped under the tank and secured to the ceiling or joists above. This is an easy homeowner repair that should not take more than fifteen minutes.