Water tank life, water tank replacement questions & answers.

This article series explains how long a water tank is expected to last (it varies) and we describe how to decide when a water tank needs to be replaced - advice about what to do when things go wrong, such as finding air and water leaks and the process of deciding to replace a water pressure or water storage tank.

Q&A: When do you need a new water tank?

These questions & answers on the life expectancy of a water storage tank or water pressure tank and on water tank replacement options were posted originally at WATER TANK LIFE & REPLACEMENT - be sure to see the diagnosis and replacement advice given there.

On 2019-05-21 12:56:11.650498 by (mod) -

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Tank_Replacement.php#TankAge is the best place to read water tank age decoding guidance, Bill.

I'll see if I can find anything more detailed about AOS AquaAir tanks to add.

Meanwhile if you can snap a photo of the data tags on your water tank and post them here that would help me help you out.

On 2019-05-20 20:53:05.467366 by Bill

How do I determine the age of an AO Smith Aqua-Air pressure tank?

On 2018-06-20 01:22:14.475304 by Janelle

We are located in New Braunfels Texas about two miles below Canyon Dam along the Guadalupe River near the Edwards Aquifer( recharge zone.) whatever that means.

On 2018-06-19 16:37:21.245964 by (mod) -

Janelle

Please see our discussion at

BLUE STAINS or BLUE COLORED WATER https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Staining_Contaminants.php#Blue

On 2018-06-19 08:59:57.287348 by Janelle

No we do not have copper pipes, we do live in Texas and praying for rain .I am not sure if our well is low and may be copper deposits in the underground springs. I guess a good gully washer would answer that. I just don't know if too much to drink is bad for us or the animals.

On 2017-03-15 18:58:53.784402 by (mod) -

Ronnie, you don't mention the brand or I'd have given an address; identify the manufacturer, brand, model, photo the tank, contact the manufacturer.

On 2017-03-15 18:56:47.419965 by Ronnie myers

How do I get my warranty honored from my old tank that lasted less than 2 yrs. the old one is model no. Lot 86, serial no.1534C002887.

On 2017-02-25 20:02:20.482629 by (mod) -

Older wells had two devices: a ball-check valve in the well on the piping above the water that let air into the system and a second valve aboveground in the house near the water tank and controls that may have vented excess air out. Search Inspectapedia for SNIFTER VALVE to read details.

On 2017-02-25 18:35:15.638025 by Anonymous

i believe sniffer is on inlet piping in house. thanks

On 2017-02-25 18:14:15.127956 by (mod) -

Yes John.
If your well uses a submersible pump and if there is a snifter valve in the well that needs to be removed.

On 2017-02-25 18:08:26.241293 by john

can i replace a captive air tank with bladder style tank. what special things do i need to do this

On 2015-10-26 04:09:40.887778 by russesp1000

Simple my pressure tank may or may not of needed replacement. I told the Well contractor who by the way was the son of the same who had replaced our pressure tank in 2001. I explained to him that my switch was cutting in and out rapidly when ever a sink or water was being used and that otherwise it wasn't running.

We hadn't discussed price but the fact his father had been honest and fair I felt the son would be as well. I need to back up a minute to explain one thing. That is I at one time would have repaired this myself however from a severe chronic pain condition I felt it best I hire the work done. The area where the tank and switch where located was a crawl space within 7 feet of a main room . The crawl space is actually 4'6" H smooth cement floor very clean and dry not really what I would consider a crawlspace. Anyway I had all prep work done for him.

Power to switch was off I had hose attached to existing tank and had drained most if not all water. Initially he was only going to replace my tank however I suggested that wouldn't be a good idea since the switch had been rapidly cutting in and out for at least several weeks and with it's age I felt it best to use new.

He wasn't going to replace my gauge either I had to ask him to do that. The total time he spent actually working including brining in new equipment was no more that 30 min. He went to his truck spent a good 15 min there when return into my home he presented me with an invoice for $771 !

I was shocked since I had called several Well companies and plumbers in the area and based on what the job entailed the highest price I was quoted was only $425 that included a trip charge the others didn't. His break down of chargers were $98 for switch and gauge same other companies.

Service fee $75 again avg for job Then the Tank $598 the highest price $210 retail 2 others for same tank $157 ! I was alone so gave him a check had wife stop. I'll pay $385 and report to State Lic Board and BBB he also didn't include relief valve! Now I have to do anyway-A crook

On 2015-07-30 16:38:20.567653 by (mod) -

Fred I've copied your question and a detailed reply into the bottom of the article above. Let me know if you are asking for actuarial reasons and we may take a different approach.

On 2015-07-30 13:51:19.212006 by fred.yebra@cpa.texas.gov

What is the expected life for one or two types of rainwater harvesting tanks?

Question: which way to turn plumbing fittings to unscrew or loosen them

(Nov 9, 2012) Clockwise / Counterclockwise? said:
Okay - basic question here. I'm trying to remove a water well tank from my basement.

The couplings that connect to the actual tank are very tight. Before I make them worse, could someone tell me the direction that I should be turning? I know some of these things aren't counter clockwise to loosen. Thanks for any help!

Reply:

Clock

I think you'll find that for standard pipe fittings, leftie loosie, rightie tightie works.

Question: water tank pressure relief valve location

(May 23, 2014) Andy said:
Since water is an in-compressible liquid what is the difference if the pressure switch is located on foot or fifty feet from the pressure tank?

Reply:

Andy, in principle the valve would work at a more remote spot but there are some variables and safety worries including

Distant locations for the pressure relief valve risks someone later installing a shutoff valve between the protected tank and the protecting valve

Distant locations for the water tank pressure relief valve risk a discharge or leak going unnoticed - that in turn can become dangerous

Manufacturers recommend installing the water tank pressure relief valve at the tank tee right at the bottom of the water tank. We'd be smart to follow the manufacturer's recommendations both because they know the best and safest installation details for their product and because doing otherwise may be a technical building code violation

Question: white filament stuff in water lines clog the water filter

(Oct 2, 2014) Mike said:
we have a well with sumersible pump , a pressure tank i basement. Our water lines are collecting a white filament looking material that is clogging the filters, especially in washing machine. A local hardware man suggested it could be fiberglass, is this possible? We are having to clean them weekly and sometimes more.

Reply:

Mike

I've seen white debris clogging faucet strainers and shower heads when a plastic dip tube in the water heater was disintegrating.

See

inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water_Tank_Debris_Flush.htm

for details.

Question: when changing from a bladderless to internal bladder type tank can I just swap the tanks?

(Feb 14, 2015) Anonymous said:
I am replacing my moms old 89 gal galvanize well tank. her old tank is about 60 years old and has a lot of rust on the outside of her tank. I am going to replace it want a new 120 gal galvanize . Is there any thing I need to do beside of just changing out the tank. I do know to cut the power off and to turn the water vale off also but should I do anything to the tank as I'm filling the new tank back up with water ?

Reply: there may be other important steps to perform

IF your pump is a submersible one in the well you may have to remove a snifter valve in the well piping - check with your plumber.

Question: does replacing the tank affect the water pump?

(Mar 21, 2015) Teche said:
Need to replace pipes to bladder tank so I figured I would replace tank and pipes. Do I have to worry about my submersible pump? When completing this?

Reply:

Not normally.

...

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

Or see these

• Recommended Articles

• AIR VOLUME CONTROLS, WATER TANK used on bladderless water pressure tanks
• WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR
• WATER TANK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home
• WATER TANK SAFETY
• WATER HEATER AGE & MANUALS - age of water heaters, calorifiers, geysers

Suggested citation for this web page

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

Or see this

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

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