Water tank repair or replacement diagnostic questions & answers:

Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures - do I need a new water tank or well tank? These questions & answers help troubleshoot problems that come up when repairing a water pressure tank.

Diagnostic questions for the water tank, water storage tank, well tank, pressure tank, pressure control tank, Extrol, WellXTrol, bladder tank, bladderless water tank.

Water Pressure Tank Diagnosis & Repair Advice FAQs

These questions & Answers about how to diagnose and repair water pressure tanks were posted originally at WATER TANK REPAIR PROCEDURES - be sure to review the advice and repair articles described there.

On 2018-07-10 by (mod) - what is the typcial pump cut off pressure = tank high-end pressure

Tony,

The pressure tank pressure will increase up to the pressure control switch CUT OUT pressure.

Typically if your pressure control switch turns the pump ON at 30 PSI it's going to turn the pump OFF at 50 psi. So 45 is reasonable.

On 2018-07-10 by Tony D.

Set tank pressure 2 lbs below switch kick-in @ 28 lbs. Pump kicks in @ 30 and out @ 45 lbs. Questtion: Is the tank pressure increased also to 45 lbs.? Kinda dumb question. But It doesn’t register so according to my pressure testing gauge.

On 2018-05-29 by (mod) - no wanter coming from th pump, why?

I can't guess from just your question, Korie.

Is the pump running?
If the pump runs but doesn't deliver water the problem isn't the water tank

If the pump runs and does deliver water to the building but water doesn't enter the pressure tank, then the tan k bladder may be stuck to itself or a valve between pump and tank may be closed.

Try the diagnostic procedures at NO WATER PRESSURE

On 2018-05-28 19:10:57.058453 by Korie Melody

the tank i mounted is
not supplying water frequently what is the cause?

On 2018-04-08 18:07:09.195460 by (mod) -

Dean

see WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING DIAGNOSIS TABLE at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pump_Short_Cycle_Table.php
for a list of causes and cures for a pressure switch that constantly cycles on and off.

On 2018-04-08 15:52:04.111400 by Dean

Pressure switch cycles on and off constantly

On 2017-11-29 23:05:12.092392 by (mod) -

I'm not sure how you brought up your water pressure. Just adding more air pressure to the water tank would be a mistake.

Assuming you didn't do that, start by looking for a water leak or running water. Or if you think the air charge is leaking out of your pressure tank, check this article: https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Tank_Air_Loss.php

See the diagnostic suggestions at

On 2017-11-29 22:50:37.182063 by Mkke

I have noted that my water pressure in the house have been dropping little by little.I checked my water tank pressure and I got 30psi of pressure only.I brouhgt it up to 40psi and next day it was again in the 30psi.

the tank is fairly new I got it in homedepot about 3 years ago.any body has an idea what the solution could be.I will appreciate it.

On 2017-07-07 16:10:47.050177 by Charles

have great water pressure for a few minutes then it stops and comes back on after a minute

On 2017-06-29 18:37:09.057977 by RParenti

Why would I lose water when doing laundry and taking showers? But doing dishes I don't

On 2017-04-22 17:05:44.690301 by (mod) -

Jennings

If your well is an artesian well it may need a well spool/seal placed inside the casing to prevent flooding over the well top;

If your well is not an artesian water source I'm concerned that surface runoff and rainwater may be leaking into the well casing at a point of damage, crack, rust, or at a leaky pitless adapter. A result would be that the water is not potable.

You will want to ask your well plumber to check and if necessary repair the casing leaks and then test your water for potability. Possibly you'll need to shock or sanitize the well. Use the InspectApedia search box just above to find our article on HOW TO SANITIZE a WELL

On 2017-04-22 12:18:44.447496 by Jennings77@att.net

Our well is leaky water constantly out of the top. Our yard is full of water from the rain and it has been leaking for over a week,

On 2017-02-16 19:43:50.577685 by (mod) -

Karen,

As long as we are talking about a steel water tank that does not use an internal bladder, a hole in a water tank might be repairable, depending on the overall condition of the tank and the extent of rust that you cannot-see: on the inside of the tank wall.

In WATER TANK REPAIR PROCEDURES

My photo at the top of this article shows a type of tank repair screw and washer. A screw size is selected to accommodate the diameter of the hole in the tank and is screwed in place; its washer seals the leak by pressing against the tank's outside surface.

Beware that because corrosion is on the inside of the tank the tank wall will be thinner around the point of leakage than you might think, so you might need a larger screw than you might guess.

So buy several sizes so that if on installation the first screw leaks because it's too small you can try a larger one.

There are also metal expoxy sealants that can work if the tank surface is clean and dry, though I prefer a mechanical seal.

Beware that a water tank that has perforated is probably at or near the end of its life and that other leaks may appear soon.

Finally, you might want to have your water tested for corrosivity, as if it's corrosivity index is high your building plumbing is also at risk and you might want to install an appropriate water treatment system. T

he corrosivity of water is discussed at CORROSIVITY or ACIDITY of WATER https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Acidic_Corrosive_Water.php

On 2017-02-16 15:48:59.920214 by Karen squires

Can a hole in the tank be repaired

On 2017-02-16 by (mod) - can we repair a water tank leak or not?

Karen,

As long as we are talking about a steel water tank that does not use an internal bladder, a hole in a water tank might be repairable, depending on the overall condition of the tank and the extent of rust that you cannot-see: on the inside of the tank wall.

In WATER TANK REPAIR PROCEDURES this image shown at above-left illustrates a type of tank repair screw and washer.

A screw size is selected to accommodate the diameter of the hole in the tank and is screwed in place; its washer seals the leak by pressing against the tank's outside surface.

Beware that because corrosion is on the inside of the tank the tank wall will be thinner around the point of leakage than you might think, so you might need a larger screw than you might guess. So buy several sizes so that if on installation the first screw leaks because it's too small you can try a larger one.

There are also metal expoxy sealants that can work if the tank surface is clean and dry, though I prefer a mechanical seal.

Beware that a water tank that has perforated is probably at or near the end of its life and that other leaks may appear soon.

Finally, you might want to have your water tested for corrosivity, as if it's corrosivity index is high your building plumbing is also at risk and you might want to install an appropriate water treatment system.

The corrosivity of water is discussed at CORROSIVITY or ACIDITY of WATER https://InspectAPedia.com/plumbing/Acidic_Corrosive_Water.php

On 2017-02-16 by Karen squires

Can a hole in the tank be repaired

On 2016-11-22 by (mod)

RE-posting without advertisement

johncarry said:

Last week I got repaired one stainless steel tank in my factory ... as it was getting leak from the bottom from three to four places. They technically removed the old bottom part and fixed the new one in its place.

On 2016-09-08 by (mod) - is it the tank or the pressure switch

Tom:

Watch the pump; if it's not turning on there may be a problem with the pressure switch itself.

On 2016-09-08 by (mod) what level to set the water tank air pre-charge pressure

Sorry I'm a bit confused by the text of your question.

Set the tank pre-charge to 2 psi below the CUT IN pressure on the switch.

If a bladder tank loses air or becomes waterlogged the bladder is leaking or burst.

On 2016-09-08 by Rob

Ok, troubleshooting low water pressure from well. I took off pressure switch. Put in two pressure gauges. Turned off water beyond gauges.

Wired direct to pump. Turned on power. Rise in pressure beyond bladder pressure on new gauge. 25 psi in bladder 30 + at gauge. Quick rise in pressure, and little entry of water to tank.

40 gallon tank. The bladder had to be pumped up a week ago from o psi. Holding very well so far. This is an upright tank with plumbing at bottom. Sup with it guys.? Clogged to tank or what?
Thanks

On 2016-09-08 by Tom

Shower pressure good for about ten minutes then pressure really drops alot?

On 2016-07-25 by Anonymous

howmuchwatershouldbeintankwhenpressureized

On 2016-05-19 by (mod) - when the pump can't reach the cutoff pressure setting

Mark

When a pump is unable to reach a pressure over 30 psi either there is a problem with the pump itself or there is a leak in well piping or there is low water flow rate into the well (combined with a pump protection feature that stops sending water up to the tank).

Your electrician will probably first check the supply voltage to the pump as low voltage can let a pump run but weakly

then she'll check the pump's current draw as high amp draw can indicate a seizing impeller or motor

Some pump controllers can even detect that the pump is running dry or in low water; else you'll need your plumber or well company to check the well's flow rate and static head.

On 2016-05-19 by Mark E

I have a 3/4 hp subm pump. It will only pump up tp 30psi using a new 30/50 pressure switch.

The pump takes close to a half hr to kick off at 30 but only takes a feww minutes to reach 30. Chked the 81 gal bladder tank at 28 psi. Wells at 127 ft.the pump is 23 years old with 7.0 iron. Thanks

On 2015-12-26 by (mod)

tim if you check the ARTICLE INDEX given at the end of this article you'll see some diagnostic articles or search InspectApedia for LOST WATER PRESSURE

On 2015-12-26 by tim

i have been losing water pressure to not having any water pressure at all

On 2015-12-15 by (mod) - SOME bladder-type water pressure tanks are designed to permit bladder replacement.

Kevin,

SOME bladder-type water pressure tanks are designed to permit bladder replacement.

Those tanks will have a removable panel, usually on the tank bottom. If your water tank is one of those you'd buy a replacement bladder assembly from your local plumbing supplier or if necessary through the water tank manufacturer.

You can check with the manufacturer or in your water tank's installation and maintenance manual for the replaceable-bladder feature once you know the water tank brand and model.

On 2015-12-15 by Kevin Batts

How do you repair or replace a ruptured Bladder? And can it be purchased at a local hardware store?

On 2015-12-06 by (mod) how to prime a well pump

Denny

Search InspectApedia.com for HOW TO PRIME THE PUMP to see two approaches to solving the problem.

Typically we look at the pressure tank brand and model to determine what it is and if it's an internal bladder model.

Also on bladder-type tanks usually there is an air adjustment valve that's located at or near the top of the tank rather than on the side or on piping; also bladder models will have dispensed with a separate AIR VOLUME CONTROL (search InspectApedia to see what those look-like)

On 2015-12-06 by Denny - my horses are thirsty

I have a new shallow well pump I've installed. Pump will not prime!

Please help the horses need water!

How can I determine if I have a bladder problem in holding tank?

On 2015-11-03 by (mod) - burst bladder can trap water in the water tank

You may have trouble getting the water out of a tank with a burst bladder as the bladder may collapse and cover the tank outlet; if so just get help to take the water-heavy tank outside;

The air pre-charge in an internal bladder tank needs to be 2 psi below the pressure switch cut-in pressure.

On 2015-11-03 by hodaka

2 yrs ago I had the pressure switch on my bladder tank replaces by a friend, can't remember the reason he took off the pressure switch gage but he did and now it doesn't have a gage on it. Last week the switch is banging every time water is used. I know I need to replace tank.

I checked the air pressure, there is none. Water comes out the air hole. Tank is full of water. I assume bladder broke. I have another tank to replace it. (Used) husband died 3 yrs ago or he would already have this fixed. Anyway, so I turn off breaker to pump, turn off valves in and out, have the hose already attached to drain tank.

Suppose it actually goes smoothly and I attach the other tank properly. How do I tell without a gage how much air to put in and do I add air before I turn pump back on? I have a tire gage but will that work instead of an actual gage?

Question: weak water pressure

(Nov 5, 2011) dan f - hughesville pa said:

Experiencing poor house pressure. no other symptoms. submersable pump is 16 years old. replaced the limit switch tuesday. no improvements. also tested the pressure coming in houseby threading a tester onto the drain valve, 28 lbs max.

Today my wife complained of real poor water flow into clothes washer. I found tiny fibers blocking the cold water inlet of the washing machine.

Found the same thing 1 year ago when the same flow reduction occurred in the washer. fibers are off white color, most of them 1/8" or less in size, a few 1/4" or longer. a few fibers were also found in the kitchen faucet. is this impeller decay?

Reply:

See WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE

Question: I installed a new pump because the old one was short cycling on and off - now the problem is back.

I installed new pump in feb. problem of pump going on and off was corrected. it's may, the problem is back. what's the problem now and who should i call..plumber or well guy? -Karen

Reply: short rapid cycling on and off of the well pump is usually a waterlogged pressure tank, a bad pressure switch, or clogged tube that sends water pressure to the switch. But you may have slow intermittent pump cycling.

Karen: About the well pump cycling on and off:

If you mean the pump turns on and off to often when you are using or running water, see SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP for diagnosis and repair help.

Assuming that you mean that the pump turns on and off unexpectedly when no one is running water inthe home, there are several possible causes of pump cycling on and off, including a leak in the well piping or building piping that drain off pressure even if you are not running any fixtures, or even a running toilet.

If your pump is a submersible unit - in the well - then replacing it could have also replaced a check valve that might have stopped unnecessary pump cycling. But as the problem seems to have stopped and then returned, I'd start by looking for a plumbing leak somewhere.

See our article titled: INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS for detailed diagnosis and repair suggestions. Or start with these simple suggestions:

Turn off water into the house at your pressure tank and

• watch the pressure tank gauge. If pressure drops we'd suspect a problem in well piping or in a check valve;
  
  If pressure does not drop and if the well pump stays off, I'd suspect a leak in house piping or a running toilet.
  
  IF on the other hand you meant that the water pump cycles on and off too rapidly when you are running water, see the diagnosis and repair guide in our page bottom ARTICLE INDEX links titled SHORT CYCLING DIAGNOSIS TABLE.

Question: testing the water pressure tank

(Dec 1, 2014) Anonymous said:
How does one check to see if the seal is gone in a pressure tank for a well?

Reply:

(Dec 1, 2014) (mod) said:
Anon, check for pressure drop,when the pump is off and no water is being run - if you are asking about leaks out of a pressure tank.

With no water being run in the house or if you have shut off the main water supply valve between the pressure tank and house piping, then if pressure drops there is a leak in well piping.

See WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS

Question: does the color of the water tank matter?

Can you paint the pressure tank a different color than blue?

Reply: no.... and maybe. Don't paint an outdoor tank exposed to hot sun a dark color

Sure you can paint your water pressure tank any color you like.

However if the tank is located outdoors in bright sunlight you might want to stick to lighter colors so that you don't unnecessarily heat up your water (and increase tank pressure).

Question: air keeps spurting out of my faucets

I get a lot of air in my water lines. What can I do to fix that problem? - Dennis

Reply:

How to diagnose air discharge in water supply pipes or at plumbing fixtures:

At AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES we provide a procedure to diagnose and fix this problem.

Question: how do I let air out of the water tank?

16 June 2011 Anon asked:

How do I let the air out of our water tank?

Reply:

You don't normally need to get air OUT of a water tank, you need to get water in.

If someone is putting an air charge into a BLADDERLESS water pressure tank and they put in too much, the excess air will pass out of the tank through the building water piping and fixtures when water is next run in the building.

However if you needed to vent air out of a bladderless water tank, since air will be in the top of the tank, look for either an air valve or a removable plumbing fitting at or close to the top of the tank.

That valve can be opened (press the valve pin to release air just as with an automobile tire), or that fitting can be removed (watch out: old fittings may be corroded, hard to get out and hard to re-seal) to release air.

If your water tank contains an internal bladder, there will be a Schrader air valve (like a tire valve) at the top of the tank that can be used to put air in or let air out of the tank.

Watch out: if a water pressure tank that uses an internal bladder is set with an excessive air pre-charge the system will not work properly: the water volume draw-down before the pump turns on will be too small, or the pump may not turn on at all.

Worse, at pressures above the rated pressure for the water tank you may burst the tank or a water pipe and thus could and injure someone.

If you are asking because air is coming out of your faucets or other fixtures
see AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES

Question: I just changed my well pump but the breaker keeps blowing

i just changed the water pump and my pressure tank, the psi is reading correctly but the pump is loud and it keeps blowing the braker, what else could be wrong when i have all new put in? - Sonni

Reply: check the pump impeller assembly or replace the whole unit

Sonni:

it sounds as if your well pump is damaged and needs replacement.

I would think that you'd made a wiring error, but I'm not sure that would explain a bad pump.

If it's very noisy and is tripping the circuit breaker I suspect it's jamming and the motor is drawing high amps and thus causing the circuit breaker to trip.

Before replacing the pump, consider disassembling the impeller assembly portion of the pump (you'll have to turn off power and remove the pump to do this).

A broken impeller or debris that got sucked into the impeller could also be jamming up the water pump or making it sound horrible.

Question: my well pump runs all the time our irrigation system is running

I'm told that when my irrigation system comes on my pump should run the whole time I'm watering.

My thoughts were that the well will cycle and turn on at 30-psi and turn off at 50-psi letting the pump rest while the bladder distributes the water until guage drops to 30-psi and the pump turns back on the the cycle keeps going.

Please let me know the correct answer, - Mike 6/18/11

Reply:

Mike: with so little information, I can't promise that I can give the correct answer, but certainly I wouldn't give you an incorrect answer on purpose.

The irrigation pump is a separate unit from your well pump, right?

If so it will run all the time you are watering but your well pump will turn on and off as needed.

If your irrigation system and house water run off of the same water supply system, then either the irrigation system fast enough that the pump never reaches cut-off pressure (entirely possible), or your water usage rate is faster than the well inflow rate and a tailpiece in the well is limiting the flow out - leaving the pump running all the time.

Question: I have no water and the switch or pump keep humming

errr i have no water and it sounds like the switch is trying to kick in by making like a hummimg sound and my pressure gauge says 0 so i have replaced the switch and the gauge and still nothing any thoughts in what i can do next to try to get some water? - Jenn 7/11/11

Reply:

Jenn:

Is your pump above ground or in the well. If the humming is coming from an aboveground pump and the pump is not running it is either jammed or is having trouble starting.

Watch out: shut off the power to avoid burning up the pump motor.

If it's a motor start problem, a hard-start capacitor kit might do the trick.

Question: My pressure tank has a pinhole leak - can this be repaired?

My pressure tank has a very small pin hole . Can the pressure tank be welded or sealed in anyway , or will the tank need replaced completely ? - Tom A. 8/11/11

Reply:

Yes, Tom. At your local hardware store you can probably purchase a special screw and washer part (less than $5.00. U.S.) intended to temporarily fix pinholes in water pressure tanks.

Watch out though: often a pinhole on the exterior wall of the tank will be found to be a bigger hole when you start messing with it

- because the tank is corroding from the inside (usually) the area of thin walled steel may be bigger than you think. Buy several repair screws of varying size and start with a small one to see if that can screw in tightly enough to stop the leak. If it won't, you'll need to use a larger screw.

Welding is technically possible but not economical, and a repair epoxy might work with good surface cleaning provided you could take the tank out of service long enough and keep it dry during the gluing process, but like the little DUtch boy with a finger in the surface of the dike, that's not the most reliable repair.

Figure a new water tank is in your future.

Question: in the morning our cold water supply smells funny

why is there odor..in morning on cold side..of faucet but does clear up - Timothy Hannon

Reply:

Timothy your question doesn't give a lot to go on, like what the odor smells like. If I were to nevertheless GUESS, I'd guess it's a sulphur or rotten egg smell. If that's what you smell in cold water in the mornings, your water supply may contain sulphur gases.

See ODORS IN WATER for some diagnostic and remedy advice.

Question: our pressure switch stuck on and the gauge hit 90 psi. Now the water smells like sulfur. High pitched noise at the tank.

Have a well with a pressure tank and a 20/40 switch The switch stuck on, not sure how long, the gauge read about 80-90 when I turned pump off.. I've replaced the faulty switch.

1st problem - the water now has an oily or sulfur odor, seemed clear but if it sits it becomes clouded.

Ran about 50 gallons of water and that seemed to help..The well is only used on weekends.. The smell & some of the cloudiness returns after sitting over night or all week..

2nd problem - the pressure tank now has a high pitched noise just before it cycles off..I think the air pressure is at 30 lbs. Can check pressure again this weekend - Wally 7/25/11

Reply:

Wally,

It sounds as if your pump was damaged by overwork. I'm not sure where else in a water system you'd get oil into the water supply (except for a leak into the water well itself).

A lurking sulphur odor may have been disclosed in the actual water supply when the system ran for a long time, perhaps dropping the water table beyond normal, though if the pump was running but water in the building was OFF, that doesn't apply.

Anyway, if there are contaminants in the water pressure tank, running water dilutes what's in the tank but it could take many pump cycles to clean it out.

A better procedure would be to drain the water tank. Turn off the pump, (preserve water if needed for priming the pump), drain the water tank, then repressurize it and flush out the pipes one last time.

Follow-up from Wally:

Thanks, this weekend I did drain the pressure tank & flushed it. After draining, rechecking air pressure & adding more air, it stopped the squeal when the pump stopped .

Flushing the system for a good 10 minutes, changed a sediment filter and flushed it again for 10 minutes. Water tasted & smelled much better even after sitting over night..

Now this Labor Day weekend will check the system again, see what it's like after sitting all week..Thanks again! - Wally 8/29/11

...

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

Or see WATER TANK REPAIR DIAGNOSTIC FAQs - older questions and answers about diagnosing and fixing water pressure tank problems.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• WATER TANK: USES, TROUBLESHOOTING - home
• WATER TANK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• WATER TANK vs WATER PRESSURE

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WATER TANK REPAIR DIAGNOSTIC 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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