Water Tank Pressure Gauges, Location, Installation, Use, Repair

Use a water pressure gauge to measure or monitor building water pressure or to adjust water pressure

Water Pressure Indicator Gauge Accuracy

Typical residential water system pressure gauges found at the water tank or water pump are only approximate and are not lab instrument grade, but the water pressure gauge is a very helpful diagnostic when you're diagnosing a loss of water pressure or pump operating problem as well as when you're adding air to a water tank.

For details on the accuracy of water pressure gauges please

see WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY

How to Repair or Replace the Water Pressure Indicator Gauge on a Water Tank or Pump

The text below describes the steps in replacement of a broken or leaky or otherwise defective water pressure gauge.

If you are installing a new pressure gauge where none has been previously installed, or for more water pressure gauge mounting location options

see WATER PRESSURE GAUGE INSTALLATION.

How to Replace a Broken Water Pressure Gauge, or How to Correct A Water Pressure Gauge that Reads too High or Too Low

If the water pressure GAUGE GLASS BROKEN or MISSING [link to article on water tank air volume controls], or if the gauge is visibly rusty or damaged, or if the gauge simply stops changing what it indicates despite the water system pressure changing (in other words the pressure shown on the gauge never changes) you should replace the gauge itself.

The well pump is turned off, pressure is drained from the system (you do not have to let all of the water out of the tank, just be prepared for a little spillage). Then the new water pressure gauge is prepared for installation (make sure the gauge bottom threads match those of the old unit being replaced as diameters vary from 1/4" to 1/2").

• Get the parts needed:
  
  Have at hand a new water pressure gauge of the proper pressure sensing range - and be sure that the pipe thread diameter of the gauge mounting base is the same as that on the old gauge so that you won't also need an adapter to mount the new gauge in the old position.
  
  Have on hand the teflon tape, tools, and any other parts you may need before starting.
• Turn off power to the water pump and
• Release water pressure:
  
  drain most or all water pressure from the system.
• Prepare the new pressure gauge
  
  mounting threads by wrapping with teflon tape or applying pipe joint sealing compound - keep the compound away from the opening at the bottom of the gauge through which water passes, or you may clog your new gauge early.
  
  We put our teflon tape or pipe dope on the new gauge threads before trying to remove the old gauge. Then the old gauge is removed by using a wrench on the brass fitting at the bottom of the gauge.
• Remove the old water pressure indicator gauge.
  
  Watch out: Use a wrench on the brass base of the old gauge to unscrew it. DO NOT try to remove a water pressure gauge by twisting the gauge body itself - you'll just break it off and you may get cut or start a water leak.
  
  
• Clean any debris around the gauge mounting hole - or water squirting out may do this for you.
• Install the new pressure gauge:
  
  Calmly screw in the new pressure gauge even if water is flowing out of the gauge mounting hole.
  
  Screw in the new gauge first by hand to be sure that you are threading it correctly don't "cross" thread the gauge into the mounting opening or it will leak. Finish tightening the water pressure gauge in place with a wrench around the brass gauge base.
  
  Tighten the new gauge carefully in position with a wrench on the gauge bottom brass fitting. Do not over-tighten, but screw in the new gauge until there is no water leakage.
  
  Watch out: Screw in the new gauge first by hand, finishing it with a wrench around the brass gauge base.
• Turn pump electrical power back on.
• Check gauge operation:
  
  Observe new gauge pressure indications for normal operation. If you are confident that the new pressure gauge is properly installed and in good condition but water pressures are incorrect, the problem may be at the water pump pressure control itself.
• Check for leaks - and fix any that appear

For more details about installing a new or replacement water pressure gauge please

see WATER PRESSURE GAUGE INSTALLATION - procedures & manuals

Types of Pressure Gauges

• Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge:
  
  Illustrated just above, this is the most-common type of water pressure gauge found on building water pumps, tanks or supply piping.
  
  Bourdon tube pressure gauges are also the most-common type found on heating boilers where the gauge measures the pressure of either steam or hot water in the boiler.
  
  The Bourdon tube is one of the most common and widely used pressure gauge measurement techniques. It consists of a flattened tube coiled into a circular arc.
  
  When pressure is applied, the tube straightens out, and this movement gets transmitted to a pointer via a series of linkages, resulting in a pressure reading on the dial.
  
  Bourdon tube gauges are suitable for measuring low and high pressures, making them versatile for various applications.

• Contact pressure gauges (shown above)
  
  Contact pressure gauges are used whenever it is necessary to monitor limit values and visually indicate local process pressures.
  
  Contact pressure gauges are basically pressure gauges with an integrated pressure switch.
  
  Depending on the pointer position of the indicating measuring instrument, switch contacts make or break circuits.
  
  The contacts can be used to trigger an alarm if a reading exceeds or falls below a set value; this is why they are also "alarm contacts". The contact pressure gauge can also be used to start, stop, or switch processes.

• Diaphragm Pressure Gauge (above)
  
  Diaphragm pressure gauges employ a flexible diaphragm, typically metal or elastomeric material.
  
  The diaphragm deforms under pressure, and this displacement is translated into the pointer's movement on the gauge face. Diaphragm gauges are useful for measuring relatively low pressures and are often used in corrosive or viscous fluids applications.
• Manometer pressure measurement
  
  A manometer consists of a U-shaped tube partially filled with the fluid whose pressure will be measured. The pressure difference between the fluid in the tube and the external environment causes the fluid level to change in the arms of the U-tube.
  
  Manometers can be of various types, including simple U-tube manometers, inverted U-tube manometers, and well-type manometers.

• Differential Pressure Gauge (above is a Differential Pressure Indicator)
  
  Differential pressure gauges measure the difference in pressure between two points in a system.
  
  They are commonly used to monitor and control pressure drops across filters, heat exchangers, and flowmeters. These gauges are essential for optimizing system performance and ensuring efficiency in fluid flow processes.

• Digital pressure gauge (above)
  
  Digital pressure gauges are modern electronic instruments that directly display pressure readings on a digital screen. They have various sensing technologies like piezoelectric, capacitive, or piezoresistive to convert pressure into an electrical signal.
  
  Digital gauges offer advantages such as high accuracy, easy readability, and the ability to store and transmit data for further analysis.

Special thanks to Maria Schmidt from Tameson Industrial Supply, who provided the pressure gauge descriptions above.

• Contact: Charles Kolstad , Tameson Industrial Supply, Torenallee 20 - 5617BC Eindhoven - Netherlands CoC: 72902531 Email: ckolstad@tameson.com or support@tameson.com Web: Tameson.com

Water Pressure Gauge Troubleshooting

On 2021-03-06 by (mod) - how to stop leak at broken-off water pressure gauge

@Mariah,

You need to turn off the pump Inlet pressure drain from the system in order to stop the immediate crisis. Then you will need an extractor to remove the broken off bit of probably quarter inch iron pipe in the threaded mounting opening.

Screw extractor & Plug temporary repair:

Choose a screw extractor whose diameter is just small enough to insert into the remains of the broken-off brass water pressure gauge base that remains threaded into the mounting tee or fitting at your water tank.

[Click to enlarge any image]

The screw extractor is screwed into the broken-off remains of the gauge base that in turn was left screwed into an NPT (National Pipe Thread) threaded opening into which the gauge was originally installed.

The extractor, mounted in a small Tee-handle so that you can turn it, is a bit like those shown in my illustration.It is reverse-threaded so that as you turn it counter-clockwise (the direction to un-screw the remains of the broken-off pressure gauge base), it bites ever more tightly into the broken part as it un-screws it from the mounting opening.

With the broken off gauge base remains removed you can either screw in a new gauge or temporarily a pipe plug that's the proper diameter - typically 1/4".

The screw extractor set including bits and the turn-handle into which they mount as well as the NPT pipe plug are available at your local hardware store, at building supply stores, or of course from online vendors.

If you've never done this before you may find it's worth hiring a plumber who can do the job more quickly.

Emergency leak repair:

leather and a C-clamp; in an emergency we are sometimes able to stop a leak by using a C-clamp and a bit of leather (like a work glove) or other as material that we simply clamp over the top of the opening that's leaking.

On 2021-03-06 by Mariah - Our pressure gauge in our water pump just snapped off

Our pressure gauge in our water pump just snapped off and we now have water starting a mini flood, how do we stop the water from pouring out!?

On 2020-04-28 - by (mod) -

Frank

What you describe is

- normal, if you are getting a minute or longer of water draw-down before the pump cycles on

- abnormal if the pump is cycling on and off more-rapidly. In that case the most-common cause of trouble is a water-logged pressure tank.

See the diagnostics at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home

and let me know if you have success or if you have further questions.

Thanks for asking.

On 2020-04-28 by Frank

Well pump pressure gage varies fro high setting to low setting 40# to 80# continuously while we are running water! Is this a problem with gage or do I need a plumber

On 2020-01-03 - by (mod) -

No, Anna the pressure gauge is a passive device that simply senses water pressure.

HOWEVER the same debris that clogs up a water pressure gauge might also clog up the sensor port on a pressure control switch, causing the switch to stop working properly.

On 2020-01-03 by Anna

If my pressure gauge isn't working will affect the pressure switch from working?

On 2018-12-17 - by (mod) -

Ann,

The air bubbles in water symptom you describe suggests there's a leak in the well piping,

possibly that's the same reason that you lost pump Prime in the first place.

On 2018-12-17 by Ann Jones

I lost the prime on my above ground 2 line well pump. When I removed the pressure gauge and refilled the lines there was excessive bubbles that didn't stop. I replaced the pressure gauge and the pump primed. However, I've never seen it bubble like that before. Is that normal? P.s. this is the 3rd time in 5 years it has lost its prime.

On 2018-09-06 - by (mod) -

Thanks for the follow up, that will help other readers. I'm glad to hear that you were successful.

On 2018-09-06 by Steve - found calcium obstruction of water pipe

Me back again.

Found problem When I took of the pressure gauge ,there was a calcium obstruction in the pipe

Gave it a little tap with an awn and it came clean. It was amazing how much pressure was still there even with the tank drained.

Make sure you have the power off (I did) ,there was quite a jet of water that came up once the obstruction was moved.

Reader Question: 8/9/14 Andrew said:

Hi I recently replaced our submersible water pump (DAB Pulsar 40/50 M), because of a faulty electrical component in the pump.

I looked around to see if I could get it repaired but the cost was excessive compared the a new one. (It was over 10 years old).

There is a float switch attached to the pump which works in conjunction with a pressure switch and gauge mounted on top of the pressurized cold water cylinder.

The system is set to a max pressure of 3 bar. When the pressure drops to about 1.5 bar the pump automatically recharges the water cylinder. After I replaced the pump everything was working fine again, until recently.

I started getting erratic re-filling of the tank. The pressure would drop and the pump wouldn't cut in to recharge the cylinder.

5 minutes later the system would recharge. There is plenty of water in the well, so naturally I thought it was the switch or gauge.
I've just replaced both.

The problem now is that when the pump is switched on the system recharges but the gauge is not registering any pressure and the switch doesn't turn the pump off. If I let it run I'm sure it would explode.
[dysfunctional links removed]

I've read through your extensive notes and explanations but can't find anything which specifically relates the our problem.
I would really appreciate your advice and or comments to help resolve this issue. Many thanks in advance.
Andrew
contact@englishwhynot.fr

Reply:

Andrew

If your water supply contains silt, iron, debris or the like, I suspect that the gauge pressure port is clogged and possibly there is similar clogging of the pressure sensing port of the pressure control switch.

Try replacing the gauge, and cleaning or replacing any clogged small-diameter piping - same for the pressure switch. Keep us posted.

Reader question: relation of water pressure gauge to well pump short cycling

30 Dec 2015 Bev wrote:

Will a broken pressure gauge on a water pump for a two line well system cause short cycles when pumping water into the tank on the interior of the house.

Reply:

No Bev. Pressure gauges are passive devices - they do nothing but reflect system pressure.

Water pump short cycling causes are given

at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES

But it is worth noting that some of the causes of improper or erratic water pump operation, such as debris clogging of a pressure switch sensor port can also cause erratic pressure gauge operation by clogging its own pressure sensor opening as well.

On 2011-07-08 - by (mod) - Pressure gauge is ticking

If the water pressure gauge is sticking or acting weird it may be that debris has entered the gauge or the small diameter pipe on which the gauge may be mounted. Try replacing the gauge.

On 2011-06-22 by Anonymous

the pressure guauge is ticking pressure is flucuating and making a loud ticking sound what does that mean