Water pressure tank bladder repair FAQs.

This article series describes the repair or replacement of internal bladder type water pressure tanks.

Water Tank Internal Bladder Replacement FAQs

These questions and answers about fixing or replacing a water pressure tank bladder were posted originally at WATER TANK BLADDER REPLACEMENT - so please take a look at that page.

Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection firm.

On 2018-10-18 14:16:52.730808 by (mod) -

Mark, some, not all, pressure tanks have a replaceable bladder.

IF the bladder is leaky ultimately the symptom is loss of air charge in the tank and pump short cycling rapidly.

On 2018-10-16 17:18:24.839670 by Mark

Hi there.
I have a 100L pressure tank that I believe is faulty.

The pressure in the taps increases and decreases alot when opened.

Then when I add air pressure with a pressure pump to the tank(without detaching it from the systeme) the pressure stabilizes for a few weeks then starts increasing and decreasing again.

Someone tells me that there might be a small leak in the bladder so I want to replace it and see if that works. Is this advisable? or will I make it worse? I have never changed a bladder before.

pls help!

Mark

On 2018-07-28 by (mod) - thanks JM

JM

Thank you for the helpful comments.

On 2018-07-28 by jmoney - sediment or scaling clog water pipes

Also for WV motel guy, sediment will tend to accumulate at either low points in the pipes, or places where pressure drops occur (small or restricted pipe to a larger pipe).

Corrosion will occur wherever air gets trapped in the pipes (metal pipes).

Given the Age and weather conditions, you probably have iron pipe. Iron pipe can corrode completely shut over relatively few years especially when the water has little movement ( i.e. in the case of a vacancy).

Good news is that flexible pipe is much cheaper and easier to install, and if you are handy, you can structure it as a DIY repair rather than have to pull a permit and hire a contractor/plumber. But, do your homework and understand your risks.

For the guy with the WV hotel. Considering the age of the hotel, assuming the water pressure coming from the city is not dropping (as claimed), that tends to point to sediment and corrosion in the existing pipes.

From your side of the water meter, disconnect the water and see if you can reproduce the problem, if so, then you have proven it is the city's problem.

If it is not the city's problem, then move to the first T.

Repeat your test, if the condition is reproduced, then the problem is likely sediment/corrosion and you will need to replace it. But if there was sediment/corrosion in the pipe, then it is likely all through the system and you will probably need to replace all of the plumbing feed lines.

On 2018-07-02 by pete@noackcommercial.com

I have a 18,000 gal redwood water tank which leaks. Is there a way to find the leaks? And/or can a bladder be installed?

On 2018-02-15 by (mod) - water flows to a trickle when 3 or 4 showers are in use

I drove into the lake of this question and sink Like a Stone.

I think the question is why do we have a sudden pressure loss of water at various fixtures. Is there a pressure booster pump on the system?

Have you checked piping for scale or sediment clogging? The effective reduction in pipe diameter can explain what you describe.

On 2018-02-15 02:33:34.545443 by Have an unusual situation. 8 room motel in West Virginia

Working on a little 8 room motel in a little town in WV. It has city water, but, fixed all the handful of little leaks around the place, but never the less still original problem is when 3-4 or more showers on at once, then the

Have an unusual situation. Working on a little 8 room motel in a little town in WV. It has city water, but, fixed all the handful of little leaks around the place, but never the less still original problem is when 3-4 or more showers on at once, then the pressure drops to a trickle. But even stranger is that sometimes after a few minutes it will happen even with just one shower going.

Have spoke to water department & they claim that there is no significant variance in pressure or volume from their supply. Now this was just a little side of the road shop when it was built, then added onto later to become a motel.

The actual water line into & out of the meter is 3/4copper, but then it runs50 ' horizontally & 30' up to the ceiling of the second story where it then T's into either the 100' cold trunk line or down into a series of water heaters. Then from that 100' horizontal run of hot & cold across the ceiling of the second story utility room, the lined T off to each of the 8 rooms.

Besides the fact that those lines all reduce down to 1/2" where they T off to the rooms, I am already convinced that I'm dealing with restriction from the lines being necked down to soon & for to far of a distance. But my question being that though it would be an unusual application, could a blather tank possibly help to boost & maintain the pressure to those 8 motel rooms upstairs?

Also if anyone has any input on the pipe size or the potential for the town to perhaps offer a bigger meter or supply line in, any input or advice would be greatly appreciated

On 2017-12-20 by (mod) - pre-charge pressure is measured with a pressure gauge

The pre-charge pressure is measured with a pressure gauge (like a tire gauge) at the air valve on top of the tank. Just depressing the pin will let air out but won't give a measurement.

The air pre-charge is 2 psi below the pump cu-in pressure

On 2017-12-19 by mcrogers

Thanks for your reply. Do we check the pre-charge air pressure by depressing the pin on top of the tank? We did that and both tanks had air pressure, seemed about the same. Thanks

On 2017-12-19 by (mod) - one of a pair of pressure tanks won't fill

MC

The bladder in the empty tank could be broken or it could have collapsed and adhered to the tank bottom, blocking water entry.

Sometimes a plumber will briefly boost system pressure (keeping it below the tank's maximum allowed/safe) to try to "un-stick" a bladder.

You might check the tank pre-charge air pressure on both tanks for comparison too.

On 2017-12-18 by mcrogers6870

We have dual tanks but one doesn’t fill. Could it be a broken bladder?

On 2017-09-28 by Larry

My newly installed well pump runs constantly at 20 lbs. of pressure. The pump will not build pressure to cut off and the tank doesn't seem to have any water in it.

The pressure switch is set to 20/40 and the tank is at 18 lbs. If I turn the power on, the pump starts to run but the tank pressure doesn't increase. The only way I could get the pump to cycle was to turn on city water to the pump.

That way the pump goes to 40 and cuts off and the tank reads 38 lbs; however, when I open the faucet and the pressure goes down to 20 to cut the pump on(which it does), without city water, the pump stays at 20 and keeps running and the tank stays at 18. Any thoughts?

On 2017-09-22 by Anonymous

@James,
pressure valve is plugged up.

On 2017-04-29 by (mod) - replace a bladder that's leaking in the pressure tank

Lori:

Really you should either replace the bladder if it's replaceable, or replace the pressure tank. I figure that the trouble to get the bladder out, fix the hole (tire patch?), reassemble everything, and face another pinhole again isn't worth the hassle.

On 2017-04-27 14:52:49.620777 by Lori

Sorry I forgot to say the bladder tank has a pin hole in it and squirting out water how can I fix it

On 2017-04-27 14:51:52.297156 by Lori

I have a pinhole in it how can I fix it what can I put on it to fix the pin hole

On 2017-04-21 by (mod) - Flotec pressure tank bladder replacement in 8 steps + KY Jelly

Bill,

Thanks so much for the suggestions, doubtless of help to other readers.

Daniel

On 2017-04-20 by Bill Morgan - details of how a tank bladder was replaced in a Flotec pressure tank

I recently replaced the bladder in my 82 gallon Flotec tank. It lasted 20 years. After much research and video watching I found what I think is the easiest way to do this.

1. With the tank upside down, pull the bag out enough to cut slits with a sharp drywall knife horizontally in the bag so you can get a large pry bar in the slit.
2. Using the feet of the tank, work your way around, pulling it up and cutting more slits as you go.
3. Eventually, you will pull it out.
4. To put the new one in, roll it so the opening is on top, start it in the hole, put a ratcheting cargo strap about 5" from where the bag goes in the hole and tighten it down, being careful not to pinch or cut the bag.
5. I wrapped the strap around twice.
6. Put some KY jelly around the bag where it goes into the hole and push the bag in a little at a time.
7. When the strap is close to the hole add another 5" above and take off the first strap.
8. More jelly and pushing. It will go in without too much trouble if you do it this way.

When the bag is in wipe the excess jelly off the tank and bag so the bottom plate will seal.

Good Luck

Bill

On 2017-03-28 by (mod) -

James:

Possibly: if the tank bladder has burst or leaks then the tank can become waterlogged - use the search box just above to search InspectApedia for WELL PUMP SHORT CYCLING to read full details.

On 2017-03-28 13:41:26.636440 by James

My water in my house pulses does that sound like a bladder problem

On 2016-12-11 23:33:34.715872 by Anonymous

How can I check if there is dirt or soil in my water tank

On 2016-08-20 18:41:35.355906 by (mod) -

There are adhesives that will glue rubber or viny such as tire patch sealants, pool repair kits, roofing adhesives for EPDM rubber, of course needing to be matched to the material of which the tank bladder is constructed but I would be reluctant to try it:

1. I'm not sure of the possible toxicity effect on drinking water.
2. For the labor to remove and replace a bladder and not wanting to have to do it over again, I'd install a replacement bladder if the tank design permits that.

Talk with the tank manufacturer about what adhesive and patch system would work for their product.

On 2016-08-20 17:01:12.287411 by Anonymous

Is there any way to repair 1200 gallon water bladder that is torn along the seam?

Comments:

(Sept 4, 2011) Dale Gigwh said:
Thank you so much,this site very very helpfull in finding my well water problem. I had to replace tank,but thanks to you i knew what to test befor doing so. Thanks Again so much Dale in Ohio

(Oct 30, 2012) roy said:
replaced the bladders in my 2 craftsman tanks with craftsman bladders, $180. First one failed at 3 months, 2nd one leaks. bought xtrols to install. problem solved.

Question:

(July 21, 2012) willie mcknight said:
can i fix a crack at the bottom of a bladder tank

(Feb 16, 2015) Tom said:
how do I install the rubber bladder into the pressure tank?

Reply:

Tom some water tanks have a removable tank panel, typically on the tank bottom, to allow opening and replacing a bladder.

You should start by noting the brand and model of your particular water pressure tank, grabbing a copy of its instructions, and tanking a look: that document will tell us if the tank has a replaceable internal bladder.

Question:

(Aug 12, 2012) Fred said:
I am getting hot water from my cold tap and suspect the water tank. It was short cycling and making suction noises earlier.

Reply:

Fred, if you are also getting cold from the hot tap then the piping is reversed.
We also might see a brief surge of warm at a cold tap if the water heater is piped backwards or if the dip tube has corroded away, as then hot water may rise up the cold piping by convection.

In any case this is not a water pressure tank problem nor is it related to the water tank bladder.

Question: can we replace the water tank bladder ourselves

(June 20, 2015) Trella Laughlin said:

The man from the water drilling company used this expression; but, his solution is very $$$$$.
Can we do it ourselv es?
Thanks.

Reply:

I don't know, Trella; can you handle plumbing piping disconnections and re-connections, soldering if needed?

I'd start by finding out which repair you need: tank bladder replacement or complete water tank replacement if your tank does not have a replaceable bladder.

Question: water shoots out of the air valve

(Dec 15, 2015) kevin Batts said:
Why does water shoot out from the air vale when I release the pressure

Reply: waterlogged pressure tank or burst internal bladder or both

Kevin:

It depends. If the valve is at the top of the tank and your tank uses an internal bladder, most models store water IN the bladder and air outside the bladder but inside the upper tank area

. If you have one of those tanks and water can be released at the air valve, the bladder has probably burst and the tank is waterlogged

Question: is an air leak on a pressure tank repairable?

July 2, 2016) Crystal said:
Can you fix a well bladder that only has a hole on the outside of tank but still holds pressure...its not the rubber bladder

Reply:

You are trying to fix a leak in the portion of a tank that holds air pressure. You can try an epoxy repair or a screw and washer repair - perhaps deferring tank replacement for a time.

Often tanks rust from the inside out, so the pinhole you see may presage thinning and damage to a larger area.

Question: replace water tank or repair tank bladder

(July 7, 2016) Anonymous said:
If the bladder tank has a defective diaphragm, will the repair only for the replacement of the diaphragm or buy a new bladder tank? thanks folks!

Reply:

Yes. Some tanks have a replaceable diaphragm while others don't.

...

Continue reading at WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Water Tank Repair Articles

• WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR - home
  • WATER TANK BLADDER BURST or LEAKY
  • WATER TANK BLADDER CONSTRUCTION
  • WATER TANK BLADDER PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT
  • WATER TANK BLADDER REPLACEMENT
  • WATER TANK BLADDER STUCK to ITSELF

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER TANK BLADDER REPLACEMENT FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS & SPRINGS

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