Many homes in rural or suburban areas rely on private wells to provide water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and other household uses. A typical well uses an electric pump to bring water into the home, often from significant depths, and that water is stored temporarily in a well water tank, also known as a pressure tank.
Using a pocket of compressed air, the well water tank helps to maintain water pressure between pump cycles, and it stores several gallons of water to minimize pump usage when demand is high. A problem with the well water tank can cause the pump to cycle on and off frequently, which can lead to an expensive, premature failure.
For more information on well water tanks and when it’s time for replacement, contact Three Amigos Plumbing of Monroe Inc. online today or give us a call.
Signs of A Pressure Tank Problem
When a well water tank is leaking, its bladder has failed, or it has become waterlogged, you may notice several symptoms, including:
Reduced water pressure, especially at fixtures on the second floor
Unstable water pressure as the pump cycles on and off
A pump that runs less than 30 seconds to pressurize the tank
A pump that cycles on and off frequently, or remains running
Water leaks at the pressure tank
Visible corrosion on the exterior of the tank
Excessive air in plumbing system as faucets and fixtures are used
Low pressure at the tank’s pressure gauge
If you notice any of these problems, the well water tank may need to be replaced. Have one of our technicians inspect the system as soon as possible to avoid causing damage to the pump or premature failure. Well pumps can be expensive to replace, especially submersible models, which require significant labor to extract from the well.
How a Pressure Tank Works
A well pressure tank contains a pocket of air, and as water is pumped into the tank from the bottom, the air is compressed until it reaches the maximum pressure of the water system, typically 50 or 60 psi. The well pump then turns off, and the pressure of the air pushes the water out as faucets or fixtures are used. Once the pressure in the tank drops below the minimum pressure of the water system, typically 30 or 40 psi, the pump turns back on to provide more water and pressurize the tank.
Older well water tanks had no separation between the air and water, allowing them to become waterlogged as air escaped the tank or was dissolved into the water. Then, the tank simply acted as a pipe, with no way to provide pressure between pump cycles, causing the pump to run frequently and shortening its life. Older tanks have a wafer or float to separate the air and water, while today’s models feature a bladder to contain the water, isolating it from the air completely. Any leak in the tank or the bladder can reduce pressure, causing the pump to run more often or the tank to become waterlogged.
Contact Three Amigos Plumbing today to learn if a new well water tank will solve your water pressure problems!
📞 Monroe: (305) 367-3902
📞 Miami-Dade: (305) 248-3333
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