About Our Service
Air Charging Your Pressure Tank
Can I add air to my pressure tank?
There are two different types of pressure tanks
Captive Air (pressure tank with bladder or diaphragm)
Air Over Water
The type of pressure tank you have will make a difference as to if you can or cannot air charge your tank to resolve the problem you’re having.
Captive Air tanks, although there are always exceptions, will likely need to be replaced and may not be able to be fixed with by air charging. You may still be able to fix your captive air tank with an air charge if your bladder has not failed and is not damaged. Captive Air (bladder) pressure tanks are pre-charged and should hold their charge due to the water and air being separated, this also means that annual maintenance or air charging is not required. If your captive air pressure tank requires attention frequently, it is likely the tank has failed and needs to be replaced.
Air Over Water pressure tanks typically can be fixed by adding more air. The air and water in these tanks are not separated like Captive Air tanks, this allows the air in the tank to dissipate. Air over water pressure tanks will require annual maintenance. Some air over water tanks are maintenance free due to a bleeder assembly located down the well, this is not the case for all. Bleeder systems can fail causing similar issues.
When do I need to add air to my pressure tank?
Air charging your pressure tank will not always fix your issues, sometimes you will need to replace the entire unit. When a pressure tank gets waterlogged and the air within it dissipates, you may notice many different issues:
Well pumping system turning on and off frequently while using water (short cycling)
Pulsating water pressure through faucets and/or while using water
Low pressure
The pressure should feel light or sound hollow, that is an indication that you have proper air in the tank and it is not waterlogged. The pressure gauge located near your pressure tank should operate smoothly when water is being ran within the home or when the well pump has kicked on. A pressure gauge should always range between 40 psi and 60 psi, for most residential homes. If at any time you find your gauge fluctuating rapidly, it’s likely time to service your well pumping system.
How do I know if my pressure tank is short cycling?
As mentioned previously, when your well system is kicking on and off very frequently it is called Short Cycling. If you believe this is happening, before trying to add air to the pressure tank, we recommend starting with the Draw Down Test. The test is simple and will only take a few minutes. If you have any questions about how to do the draw down test or are unsure about the results, give us a call at 1 (800) 452-6060 and we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions or schedule a service tech to evaluate the system.
How much air should I put in my pressure tank?
Most residential homes have a pressure switch set 40/60 psi, which indicates the pump turns on at 40 psi and shuts off 60 psi. Pressure tanks should have 2 psi less the “cut in” pressure, the cut in pressure being the psi in which the pump turns on. Pressure switch settings can vary, it's best to be certain of what your pressure switch setting is before adding air to your tank. The proper air pressure in your tank is vital to the operation of your well pumping system. If you are unsure of your pressure switch setting, call our office to schedule a service technician to come out and evaluate.
What happens after air charging my pressure tank?
After you have added air (air charged) your pressure tank, you may experience the following:
Air in your lines when turning on faucets
Dirty discolored water
Fixtures/Faucets plugging up
If you are having any issues with your faucets plugging up, we recommend removing and cleaning the aerators on all faucets. If your well pumping system is no longer short cycling and your pressure is consistent – Congratulations, you’ve now successfully completed your air charge!
Adding too much air pressure to your pressure tank can cause the system to run erratically. If this is what you are experiencing after adding air (air charging) to your pressure tank, we highly recommend scheduling a service technician to come out and evaluate your system.
How do I air charge my pressure tank?
Air Charging InstructionsIt is highly recommended that a trained technician air charge your pressure tank. The proper air pressure in your tank is one of the most vital parts of your well system. If a pressure tank is not air charged properly, it may lead to inconsistent pressure, a noisy system, and premature failure of your well pump. To schedule a Service Technician to complete the air charging of your pressure tank or for any other well and pump services call us as 1 (800) 452-6060.