Got word the other day that grandpa's well wasn't working right. Well I finally got to it today and realized the pressure tank bladder apears to be bad. The jet pump that sets right by it cycles on and off quickly when the water is running, also when I press the valve stem on top water comes out of it. My question I think is this. Do they sell replacement bladders or only tanks? Also the old tank is 42 gallon new ones are $250 Can I downsize to a 20 gallon one. Just grndpa there 90 years old and no more cattle, so there is no large water demands. What are your thoughts?
- Thread starter gregk
- Start date
Are you sure it is a bladder type tank? Old setups, and even mine on the farm replaced a couple years ago, use a big old tank with no blader. Over a year or 3, the air works out & you need to add some.
If it is a bladder tank, time for a new one.
Bigger tanks are much easier on the pump. Go to a smaller tank, and you might end up wearing out the pump sooner, if it is marginally old already? I do understand your thoughts tho, & I'm no expert on sizing tanks to pumps to useage.
--->Paul
If it is a bladder tank, time for a new one.
Bigger tanks are much easier on the pump. Go to a smaller tank, and you might end up wearing out the pump sooner, if it is marginally old already? I do understand your thoughts tho, & I'm no expert on sizing tanks to pumps to useage.
--->Paul
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
I agree with what Paul says are you sure it has a bladder in it?? If it doesn't then all you need to do is add air to the tank. My well system is the old type with no bladder and you add air when you have those type of problems
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
yes you can downsize, can't think of the size,but they cost around 115.00 to 130.00 round here at the cut rate places.
Maybe you Paul and Old are onto something. It is an older tank. I was not aware of a strictly water/air tank. I will check into that. If that is the case it would make everyone's day. I do understand the tank size/ amount of pump running idea but i was just wondering in this case if it would make little to no difference. Like you I don't know all of the sizing requirements. Thanks for your help guys if you think of anything else let me know
Bladder type will normally be an upright fiber tank, some have replacable bladders. Non bladder type will look more like an air compessor tank. Tank type turn off pump drain the water and add two less pounds than the cut off pressure, ie: 30lb cut off 28lb air. Turn pump back on and see if it holds.
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
There are tanks with replaceable bladders, but 99.99 percent of the tanks in use do not. Even if the bladder is bad the tank can be used; it just won't have as great of a reserve.
Drain the tank of all water, then air it up to no more than 2 psi less than the low pressure switch setting. It will work fine.
Drain the tank of all water, then air it up to no more than 2 psi less than the low pressure switch setting. It will work fine.
Back in the 1960's I had that problem with the storage tank becomimg water logged. I know the former owners had that problem too. I replaced the air volume control several times lower the water level and within a few days it was water logged again. My neighbor sold plumbing supplies and swore by his air volume control and I bought one it was junk too.
There's a plumbing warehouse in the town where I worked and we had bought plumbing supplies from for work so I stopped and talked to the manager and told him about the problem about water logging. He said I have a fix and I bought a tank with a bladder. This was in 1963 and the cost was around $40.00. That fixed my water logging problem. When I told my mom and dad they said they had the same problem and I installed one there. No more water logging problems. I would bite the bullet and install a new tank. Hal
There's a plumbing warehouse in the town where I worked and we had bought plumbing supplies from for work so I stopped and talked to the manager and told him about the problem about water logging. He said I have a fix and I bought a tank with a bladder. This was in 1963 and the cost was around $40.00. That fixed my water logging problem. When I told my mom and dad they said they had the same problem and I installed one there. No more water logging problems. I would bite the bullet and install a new tank. Hal
Mark - IN.
Well-known Member
You know? You're right. Used to have a house that had a tank without a bladder, 60 gallons. Used to get water logged over time simply by having the pump run as a faucet would be on because of the churning of the water into the air pocket as the water was being replentished. Those air bubbles would come out of the faucets a little at a time, and over time the tank would get water logged. It just happens over time, nothing one can do about it except go to a bladdered tank. But as you said, shut the water off, empty the tank, and that alone will create a substancial air pocket when its refilled. I used to then air up the tank to 60 lbs. That way used to take the water level below the valve, give good pressure, and not run the pump constantly. It was just a fact of life. Used to have to do it a few times per year, especially during sprinkler season. No big deal.
Mark
Mark
Just due to the hardness and iron content of my water, I wouldn't even consider messing with an old tank. When the bladder goes on mine it will be replaced, no ifs, ands or buts!
As for the old tanks without a bladder, you may get 'em cheaper but your time is worth something too. If you have to drag a compressor or pump (or even a long hose) down into your basement or wherever you have your tank even a few times a year, to me it's worth it to spend a few more $$ and have one less thing on my mind or one more job on that endless list.
As for the old tanks without a bladder, you may get 'em cheaper but your time is worth something too. If you have to drag a compressor or pump (or even a long hose) down into your basement or wherever you have your tank even a few times a year, to me it's worth it to spend a few more $$ and have one less thing on my mind or one more job on that endless list.
I"ve never had a bladder tank, even with over 200 head of livestock to water. Current tank is an old 52 gallon upright water heater. Second tank in 38 years. Air control worked fine on first tank, with jet pump. You can add one to a burst bladder tank and keep on using it. Current tank has none- very occasionally (less than once per year) drain the tank and restart pump- makes the air cushion...submersible pump for 20 some years. Only control on the tank is the pressure switch.
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