old copper water reservoir?

[Kristi Silber]

This long, flat copper box has two pipes at the bottom, one 1/2" and the other 3/8" with a valve on it, both pipes running through the floor. It is in a closet on the third floor of a house from 1905. What is it?

[Raymond Wand]

Its an old expansion tank for the hot water heating system. As with this one in old homes they were installed in the attic or closet.

[Raymond Wand]

Here you go

[Kristi Silber]

Thanks, Raymond! Never would have thought of that in a million years, it being so far from the boiler. I suppose it had to be above the level of the radiators.

[CHARLIE VAN FLEET]

kristi

i thought you only did exterior inspections--what gives

cvf

[Kristi Silber]

No, I do some that are exterior only, some both exterior and interior.

[Kristi Silber]

I don't normally look in closets, but this was a more detailed survey, high replacement cost.




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Photo was taken with the PH's permission for the express purpose of posting here to find out more about it.

[Kristi Silber]

I went back to this house today and talked to a plumber who was working there. He said this thing is actually a water heater. The 1/4" (not 3/8", as I first wrote) copper tube is a gas line, and there's burner at the bottom of the tank. He said he's seen them associated with a lot of old bathrooms, sometimes hung right on the wall.

I was hoping the homeowner would want to get rid of it, but no such luck.

Found a site strictly about about water heaters (http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/WHRpages/English/site-map.html). They even have a water heater forum. Could be some good info here (though I haven't found anything like the one in my photo).

[Jerry Peck]

I went back to this house today and talked to a plumber who was working there. He said this thing is actually a water heater.

That would make a great conversation piece and souvenier. :)

[Rod Butler]

That would make a great conversation piece and souvenier. :)


It would also be worth its weight in, well, copper.