Well pressure tank replacement around Springfield

The pressure tank is the reason your pump doesn't start every time you open a faucet. Modern tanks have a bladder or diaphragm with a pocket of compressed air that pushes water out between pump cycles. When that air charge is lost, the tank "waterlogs" and the pump starts and stops every few seconds — which is hard on the pump.

Signs your tank is failing

• The pump clicks on and off rapidly while water is running.
• Pressure at the faucet surges up and down.
• Water comes out of the air valve on top of the tank when you press it (a ruptured bladder).
• The tank is rusting through or leaking at the bottom.

A simple check

Turn the pump off at the breaker and drain the system by opening a faucet until the water stops. With the tank empty of water, check the air valve on top with a tire gauge. The air charge is normally set about 2 psi below the pump's cut-in pressure (around 28 psi for a 30/50 switch, 38 psi for 40/60). If it's at zero, or water spits out of the valve, the bladder is likely gone.

If you're not comfortable working around electrical and pressurized equipment, leave this to a pump tech.

Replacement

Tank replacement is a surface job — no hoist truck needed — and is usually done in a few hours. A tech will size the tank to your pump's flow rate; a bigger tank means fewer pump starts and longer pump life.