My first soiree into a house with a well. In my basement is a WellXtrol (by Amtrol) pressure tank. At least I think that’s what it is and what it’s called. I believe it adds pressure to my water, so that it can actually get moved to the various areas in my house? Is that correct? Is that what it does? Do I need to do anything to maintain it? How long do they last? How much do they cost? Anything more I should probably know? TIA!
Yes, it keeps your water pipes/lines in your house pressurized. The only maintenance needed is to have the air pressure adjusted if you notice too much pressure or not enough pressure at a faucet. There is a valve stem on it (like a car tire) where the air pressure is adjusted. Not sure how long they last. Ours was replaced in 2003 when we bought our farm and still working great - though I have no idea of what brand we have.
That is correct! Mine will be 20 years old soon and has not required any maintenance at all. There is a rubber(?) air bladder inside that creates the pressure. At some point it may lose pressure or go bad, but I think it’s probably one of the lowest maintenance things in the house.
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Exactly, @Mango20 . That’s why we had to replace ours when we bought the place. It had been left (not drained) over winter because the house was empty and the bladder was torn because the water in it froze.
Actually it is used to maintain even water pressure when the well pump is cycling off and on. The majority of the tank is filled with a rubber bladder/balloon. Which is inflated to X psi depending on the pressure switch cut on setting. When the pump sends water into it and fills the tank rubber badder creates back pressure. So when the pump is not running there is still water pressure in the lines when you turn the faucet on and before the pump kicks on.
Which is why you will still have water at the faucet for a little while after loosing power during a storm. How much depends on the size of the pressure tank. Most household tanks are on the small side.
Water pressure for a house on a well is controlled by the pressure switch. Which turns the pump on and off depending on the pressure it is set for. Too increase water line pressure you increase the pressure switch setting. There is a cut on setting and a cut off setting. Depending on the switch 30 psi on, 50 psi off. Pressure switches come with lower and higher settings. The bladder should be pressurized just below the cut on. This rarely needs to be adjusted by the home owner, A lot of tanks have a pressure gauge for the homeowner to check. Or just use a tire pressure gauge. As explained:
"Prior to operation, with the tank, empty of water, the pressure should be 2psi below the cut-on pressure. So, for example, with a 30-50 pressure switch (factory default setting), air pressure in the tank will equal 28psi. If the pressure switch is adjusted to 40-60, the cut-on pressure will be 38psi.
These tanks usually last a long time. They either develop a rust hole or the rubber bladder gives out. Residential tanks are reasonably inexpensive to replace. Pretty easy DIY.
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Thank you everyone for the replies, and thank you Gumtree for the explanation! I really like understanding how things work, and WHY we need them. It helps when troubleshooting issues!
