My pressure tank has a small drip coming from somewhere. We are forced to replace floors, carpeting and find the problem. My main concern is actually not as top where the leak is, but that we have been told that if we remove the pressure tank to replace the floor, it will require a new tank because it is nearly impossible to regain pressure on the old one. Any suggestions?
2007-03-23 16:52:44 · 3 answers · asked by mommyprincess97 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I can't understand why anyone would put the well pressure tank in the house to start with. And it may not be a leak, it may be condensation. I really can't see why you can't regain pressure. There are two types of pressure tanks. The old ones, called captive air tanks, merely compressed the air in the top of the tank as they filled with water. Over time the air would be absorbed into the water and the tank would not pressurize and shut the pump off. They had to be drained and air bled into them every so often. All the newer tanks, last 20 years or so, have an inflatable bladder in the top. This is pressurized with an air pump prior to filling with water. So long as there's nothing physically wrong with the tank either one is capable of being repressurized after being drained. The old tanks just start off with nothing but air and compress it as it fills with water. The bladder tanks you check for the proper air pressure prior to refilling. Whatever you do I'd suggest locating the tank outside of the house. If that is not possible/feasible at least put a drip pan under it with a drain pipe that runs out of the house so you don't have the problem again. It shouldn't be hard to get a drip pan. They're commonly used with Air Conditioners when they're installed in an attic or with water heaters when they're installed on a wood floor. By the way, a bladder tank is not that expensive and is a heck of a lot less headache than one of the old captive air tanks which have to be repressurized periodically. If your tank has an air valve, like you see on a car tire, on top of it then it is a bladder tank and should not be any problem at all to repressurize. Home Depot, Lowes and Sears all sell them in many capacities. Good luck and if you need more info or I can help in any way, EMail me: manchacar@yahoo.com
2007-03-23 17:22:16 · answer #1 · answered by mustanger 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Putting it simply where I come from in the far North, all water tanks are inside the house due to the cold, as cold as fifty below zero in the winter so, what your experiencing is probably condensation from the cold water in the warm air. As simple as that. and, I've never heard of "never removing the tank" anyone with knowledge can remove the tank, and put it back without leaking. This is using the proper material and tools.
You'll have to find a way to stop the condensation, like a tank wrap and go from there.
2007-03-23 19:42:30 · answer #2 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a pressure tank is nothing more than a metal tank with a rubber bladder inside. the pressure comes from the water entering the tank and filling the bladder. no need to replace unless the leak can't be fixed
2007-03-24 05:34:58 · answer #3 · answered by sprinklermedic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋