CHECKING A BLADDER TANK

How to check your bladder tank, to insure that your entire system functions properly. We recommend you do this at least every 6 months.

Is your pump cycling on and off within spans of 5-20 seconds? If so, your bladder tank will need to be checked, before further damage is done to the pump and motor.

In order to ensure that your system operates properly and functions well, it is recommended that you check your bladder tank a minimum of once every 6 months. The following is a step by step guide to checking your bladder tank on three different systems.

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NOTE: This is for bladder tanks only. Galvanized tanks are NOT bladder tanks.

1. House Water System 2. Water to Air Heat Pump System 3. Artesian Well or Flowing Well System

1. House Water System
Step 1. Observe gauge and note what pressure the pump comes on at. Turn power to the pump off.

Step 2. Drain all pressure off the system at hose bib.

Step 3. Take cap off valve at Schrader valve and check pressure with a tire gauge. The pressure in the tank should be 2 lbs less than the come on pressure for the pump. (Ex: If your pump is set to come on at 30 psi, then your tank should have a pressure of 28 psi).

Add or release pressure in tank with an appropriate air pump or compressor. If the tank won’t pressurize or will not hold pressure, the tank will need to be replaced.

Step 4. After the tank has been set at the proper air pressure, replace cap and Schrader valve and turn the power to the pump back on, following procedure in reverse.

2. Water to Air Heat Pump System
Step 1. Observe gauge and note what pressure the pump comes on at. Turn power to the pump off.

Step 2. Drain all pressure off the system by turning the A/C or heat on for about 2 minutes, then turn it back off.

Step 3. Take cap off valve at Schrader valve and check pressure with a tire gauge. The pressure in the tank should be 2 lbs less than the come on pressure for the pump. (Ex: If your pump is set to come on at 30 psi, then your tank should have a pressure of 28 psi).

Add or release pressure in tank with an appropriate air pump or compressor. If the tank won’t pressurize or will not hold pressure, the tank will need to be replaced.

Step 4. After the tank has been set at the proper air pressure, replace cap and Schrader valve and turn the power to the pump back on, following procedure in reverse.

3. Artesian Well or Flowing Well

Step 1. Observe gauge and note what pressure the pump comes on at. Turn power to the pump off.

Step 2. Turn the valve at the well off and open a hose bib to release all pressure in the system.

Step 3. Take cap off valve at Schrader valve and check pressure with a tire gauge. The pressure in the tank should be 2 lbs less than the come on pressure for the pump. (Ex: If your pump is set to come on at 30 psi, then your tank should have a pressure of 28 psi).

Add or release pressure in tank with an appropriate air pump or compressor. If the tank won’t pressurize or will not hold pressure, the tank will need to be replaced.

Step 4. After the tank has been set at the proper air pressure, replace cap and Schrader valve and turn the power to the pump back on, following procedure in reverse.

NOTE: It is not normal for a pump to lose its prime during this procedure. If this occurs, prime the pump normally.