A waterlogged pressure tank in your well system is a problem that needs to be addressed straight away. Without a properly operating pressure tank, your pump will run non-stop, which will eventually cause the motor to fail.
To avoid expensive damage to your other well components, be sure to troubleshoot a waterlogged pressure tank and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
In this guide, we’ve shared the main reason for waterlogging in your well pressure tank, and how to fix the problem.
- The signs of a waterlogged pressure tank include a tank that’s full of water, repeated clicking sounds, your well water pump constantly cycling on and off, fluctuating water pressure, and a changing pressure gauge reading.
- A waterlogged pressure tank is caused by an improper ratio of water to air inside the tank.
- You can fix a waterlogged pressure tank by draining the tank, checking and adjusting the air settings, and, if a fault is detected, replacing the tank or the water bladder.
- How Does A Pressure Tank Become Waterlogged?
- 5 Signs Your Well Pressure Tank Is Waterlogged
- How To Fix A Waterlogged Pressure Tank
- Final Word
How Does A Pressure Tank Become Waterlogged?
A well pressure tank becomes waterlogged when the ratio of air to water isn’t correct.
If there’s too much water in the tank and not enough air, it’s known as waterlogging. The most likely cause of waterlogging is when the rubber bladder ruptures, allowing the air and water to mix, rather than being kept separate.
Since water, unlike air, is incompressible, a waterlogged tank will cause pressure fluctuations and result in your wall pump cycling on and off repeatedly (a problem that’s called short cycling), causing the tank to intake too much water.
If a tank is waterlogged for weeks or months on end, the constant short cycling of the pump will cause the motor to eventually fail, requiring expensive repair work.
5 Signs Your Well Pressure Tank Is Waterlogged
There are a few signs to look out for that suggest your well pressure tank is waterlogged:
The Tank Is Full Of Water
Podmáčená nádrž contains water where it should contain air. On the other hand, a properly operating water pressure tank contains more air than water thanks to the inflated air bladder inside the tank.
If your tank is working properly, you should be able to knock on the tank and hear a hollow, empty sound. A waterlogged tank, on the other hand, won’t sound hollow because it’s full of water.
Your Water Pressure Fluctuates
A well water pressure tank is unable to properly regulate water pressure when it’s waterlogged. The pressure drops inside the tank, leading to pressure fluctuations in your home’s plumbing system.
You might notice variations in water flow when you’re running a faucet or taking a shower, and your home’s water-using appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers, and water treatment equipment, may struggle to perform efficiently.
Commonly, water pressure will start high, then suddenly drop low or die out before returning with low pressure.
Your Pressure Switch Clicks Repeatedly
It’s normal to hear the occasional clicking sound from your tank’s pressure switch as the pump cycles on and off. But if the clicking sound is very often, or every time you use water in your home, you likely have a waterlogged pressure tank.
The job of the pressure switch is to cycle the pump on and off. When the pressure tank is operating as normal, the air pressure in the tank regulates when the pressure switch should switch on and off.
But if you have a constantly running or short cycling pump, the pressure switch will constantly click on and off, giving the pump confusing instructions.
Your Well Pump Short Cycles
Following on from the above, a short-cycling well pump is also a common sign of a waterlogged tank.
To je způsobeno pressure switch switching on and off more frequently than it should. In normal working conditions, the pump should only be turned on when the pressure in the tank reaches a certain low point (usually around 40 PSI).
But when the pressure tank can’t regulate water pressure, the pressure switch tells the pump to turn on too frequently. And when the pump turns on tens of times throughout the day, the motor becomes overworked and may burn out.
Unstable Pressure Gauge Reading
The final sign to look for in a waterlogged pressure water tank is an unstable or fluctuating pressure gauge reading.
A pressure gauge is a device containing a needle that gives you a reading of the pressure inside the tank. The needle should travel from the cut-in pressure (the lowest pressure that triggers the water pump to switch on) and the cut-off pressure (the highest pressure that tells the pump to shut off).
If the tank is waterlogged, the pressure inside the tank will either stay low or fluctuate, causing the needle on the gauge to give a low reading or jump around.
How To Fix A Waterlogged Pressure Tank
Now we know the signs of waterlogged pressure tanks, let’s look at how to fix a water logged tank at home.
We recommend taking the following steps to resolve the issue:
Step 1: Determine The Cause
You want to be certain that waterlogging in your well tank is the cause of the pressure drops or fluctuations. Inspect your water tank and look for the common signs listed above.
To be absolutely certain, you could also call the tank’s manufacturer and explain the problems you’re facing. They might ask you to perform a few specific tasks to detect excess water inside the tank.
Step 2: Switch Off The Power & Drain The Tank
Once you’re sure that you’re dealing with a waterlogged tank, you can move on to fixing the issue.
Shut off the electricity supply to the tank, then bypass any water filtering equipment to avoid potential damage from sediment disturbance in the pipes while the tank drains.
Connect a garden hose to the drain port at the bottom of the tank and open the valve. Wait for the entire tank to drain, then disconnect the hose and shut the valve.
Step 3: Check & Adjust The Air Pressure If Possible
Dále use a tire gauge to check the air pressure inside the tank. If it’s possible to adjust the pressure, do it now.
Add air to the tank using a compressor. Continue pumping air until the required pressure is achieved (it should be at about 25-30 PSI).
You can then reactivate and flush the well pressure tank until the water is clear, then put your water treatment equipment back in service.
Step 4: Replace The Tank
If you can’t adjust the air pressure or the pressure drops or fluctuates, there’s likely an internal fault in the tank.
Hire a plumbing professional to inspect your tank and advise you on the best resolution. Some water pressure tanks have a bladder that can be replaced, rather than replacing the entire tank.
However, the issue might not be specifically caused by the bladder, or it might actually be easier and more cost-effective to replace the tank itself.
The average lifespan of pressure water tanks is 15 years, so if your tank is nearing the end, it might make more sense to just replace the whole thing.
Pokračovat ve čtení:
- Fine-Tuning Your Well Pump Pressure Switch: Step-by-Step Adjustment Guide
- Well Pump Troubleshooting: Why It’s Running But Not Building Pressure (6 Common Causes)
- Signs of a Bad Well Pump Pressure Switch: How to Tell
Final Word
If you think your pressure tank is waterlogged, act fast. Low water pressure could cause issues with the appliances and fixtures in your home, and the pressure fluctuations in the tank will wear out the well pump motor, potentially leading to expensive damage elsewhere in your well water system.
If in doubt, call a plumber who has experience working with well systems. They can help to troubleshoot your pressure tank issues and advise you on the best and most cost-effective solutions.
Founder, Water Treatment Specialist Brian Campbell, a water quality expert with 5+ years of experience, helps homeowners navigate the world of water treatment. After honing his skills at Hach Company, he founded his business to empower homeowners with the knowledge and tools to achieve safe, healthy water. Brian’s tested countless devices, from simple pitchers to complex systems, helping his readers find the perfect fit for their unique needs.
A waterlogged pressure tank forces the pump to run nonstop. If not fixed early, it may lead to permanent failure of the pump and the motor, forcing you to replace the entire system.
Here are the possible causes of a waterlogged tank and tips on how to fix this issue before it escalates further.
What Causes a Pressure Tank To Be Waterlogged?
Improper water-to-air ratio, meaning too much water and less air within the tank, causes the pressure tank to get waterlogged.
Water, being naturally incompressible, causes the pressure inside the tank to fluctuate quickly, leading to the pump going on and off.
Známky podmáčené tlakové nádrže
Below are common signs of a waterlogged pressure tank:
- Frequent clicking sounds
- A water tank full of water
- Špatná kvalita vody
- Water pump turning on/off
- Kolísavý tlak vody
- Jumping pressure gauge reading
Repeating Clicking Sound
A repeating clicking sound is usually the first sign you’ll notice when you have a waterlogged pressure tank. The sound would start every time you’re using water in the house.
This repeated clicking sound comes from the pressure switch, whose primary function is to tell the pump when to turn on/off.
The pressure switch has contacts that could either be opened or closed. Otevřeno means no electricity flowing since the contacts don’t touch. Zavřeno indicates that the contacts are touching, so they send electricity to the pump to complete a circuit.
The amount of air and water inside the tank regulates when these contacts should open or close. However, when the tank becomes waterlogged, the pressure isn’t controlled anymore, leading to the pressure switch turning on/off rapidly.
The repeated clicking you hear if this is the case is the sound of the pump turning on/off just as rapidly.
A Water Tank Full of Water
For a pressure tank to work as intended, it should contain more air than water (ideally, 70% air and 30% water). Inside the tank, there’s usually a rubber air bladder placed strategically to contain the water and maintain its level.
With this technology, you will hear a hollow sound when you knock on the top side of your pressure tank. But when the rubber is ruptured or punctured, it won’t sound empty when you knock on it, meaning that it’s waterlogged.
Špatná kvalita vody
Perhaps your pressure tank uses water treatment equipment to keep the water quality up to a standard. The filtration media of water treatment devices usually need a specific water flow rate to be lifted up to allow proper cleaning during regeneration cycles.
However, a waterlogged tank hinders the flow rate, so the water treatment device doesn’t get properly cleaned, leading to poor water quality.
Water Pump Turning On/Off
The process where the water pump turns on/off rapidly is called short cycling. When this happens, the pressure pump can no longer regulate pressure as it should.
The water pump repeatedly turning on/off is bad for the motor since it’s being overworked. This can cause the motor to quickly burn out, which means no water for home usage.
Kolísající tlak vody
As earlier mentioned, a waterlogged tank can’t regulate the pressure correctly. You’ll experience the water pressure fluctuating, especially when taking a shower.
Sometimes, the water initially comes out with full or intense pressure, but then the pressure suddenly drops. The trickle of water can even die out for a few seconds before returning with low pressure.
Jumping Pressure Gauge Reading
A pressure gauge has a needle that travels between your cut-in and cut-off pressures when you’re using water at home. Both the cut-in and cut-off pressures are set in advance.
In most instances, you’ll set the pressure gauge cut in at 40psi (40 pounds per square inch) and the cut off at 60psi. The needle should travel between these two readings smoothly without jumping around.
But in a waterlogged tank, you’ll notice the needle bouncing back and forth, providing inaccurate readings. That’s because the pressure isn’t being regulated appropriately.
How To Fix a Waterlogged Pressure Tank
Step-by-Step guide to fixing a waterlogged pressure tank.
- Vypněte napájení Turning off the power supply to the pressure tank is a precautionary step you should take to prevent injuries or accident.
To cut the power supply, find and turn off the circuit switch. - Drain the Water Tank An ordinary garden hose can help you drain the tank to ensure there’s no water left before proceeding to the next step. Once you get a garden hose, do the following:
– Locate the drain port near the bottom of the tank so you can connect the garden hose to it.
– Before opening the valve, ensure you direct the hose to where you want this water to go in order not to flood the whole place.
If It Doesn’t Return to Normal…
Even after doing all the above to fix your waterlogged pressure tank, you may still notice the pump going on/off. In that case, talk to a professional to get advice. They’ll give you an estimate if it’s fixable or tell you that you need to replace it.
Additionally, the pressure switch might be dysfunctional, or the rubber bladder inside the tank might be ruptured. In such cases, you’ll definitely need to replace those parts.
Should a Well Pressure Tank Be Full?
A well pressure tank shouldn’t be full to prevent it from getting waterlogged. This situation isn’t suitable for the tank’s motor and pumps as they may fail permanently if not fixed early.
The percentage of air inside the tank should be higher than that of water. The air gives the well water the required pressure to get out whenever you turn the faucet on. It also ensures that the water pump functions appropriately.
How to Air Charge a Pressure Tank
When the water levels rise too high inside the tank, you need to air-charge your pressure tank to return it to normal.
You can do that with the following steps:
- Turn off the pump’s power supply and the outgoing valve to the plumbing.
- Avoid any water conditioning/filtering equipment.
- Open the faucet to drain your pressure tank. Here, you need to ensure the faucet you’re opening doesn’t have water filtration equipment and let it run until there’s no more pressure left.
- As the faucet is still open, you can use an air compressor to pump the air inside your pressure tank. Continue pumping air in until the water inside the tank is nearly gone.
- The next step is to turn off the main valve connecting to the plumbing.
- Don’t stop pumping the air inside the tank until it reaches at least 25pounds of air pressure.
- Once there are at least 25pounds of air pressure inside the tank, discontinue pumping but ensure you turn back on the pump’s power supply.
- Now, open the tank’s main plumbing valve and allow the water to run until it turns clear of all sediment.
- Put back the water conditioning/filtering units into service. Congratulations, you have successfully air-charged your pressure tank.
Proč investovat do čističky vzduchu?
Pressure tank waterlogging happens when the water-to-air ratio inside the tank is not at the recommended 30% water and 70% air ratio. This might be due to a dysfunctioning pressure switch, a ruptured bladder tank, or a short-cycling and faulty water pump.
You can diagnose whether your tank is waterlogged by checking if it frequently makes clicking sounds; if it’s full of water; if the water quality decreases; if the water pump is turning on and off rapidly; if the water pressure fluctuates; and/or if the pressure gauge readings are inconsistent.
Sometimes, switching the power off, draining the tank, checking the settings and adjusting them if necessary, and then turning it back on might fix the issue. If it doesn’t, however, you need to call a professional to ask for advice and potentially replace the faulty parts
Poslední aktualizace 20. dubna 2023
by Scott Winfield
Obsah
- What Causes a Pressure Tank To Be Waterlogged?
- Známky podmáčené tlakové nádrže
- Repeating Clicking Sound
- A Water Tank Full of Water
- Špatná kvalita vody
- Water Pump Turning On/Off
- Kolísající tlak vody
- Jumping Pressure Gauge Reading
- If It Doesn’t Return to Normal…
