I have a well system in my cabin. After 11 years I had to replace the holding tank. The new one has a bladder in it. My old one had a float that after the pump turned off would release the air that was in the tank, my new one does not. I have a check valve that releases the water after the pump turns off and the water in the line returns to the well. This is done so that in the winter the water in the line doesn't freeze. Is there a way to get the air out of the holding tank so that I can continue to use this method?

I'm confused!
I have a check valve that releases the water after the pump turns off and the water in the line returns to the well. Check valves don't "release".
Check valves "contain" and only open up to allow incoming water.

The new one has a bladder in it. My old one had a float that after the pump turned off would release the air that was in the tank,
Again I'm confused. A holding tank is quite different from a bladder tank. A holding tank does just that. It stores water that is either gravity fed or pumped back into your cabin.
A bladder and a pressure tank, (see images) are something else altogether. As the water is pumped in the air's compressed so that you have pressure when you open a faucet.
If you're attempting to use a bladder tank as a holding tank you have the wrong type of tank. Here's how a bladder tank works, (err image)
Please post back and explain your old system in detail. Because the way you've explained to me every time you wanted water out of the well you have to prime the pump.
Is that what you had? A pump to fill a holding tank and gravity to furnish the pressure to supply the cabin? Back to you, Tom

Hi, The check valve has a vent on it (like a bicycle tire air filler) that is on the pump side of the check valve. I have a 300 foot well with a submersible pump. When the tank fills and the pump turns off the water stays in the tank by the check valve. But the water on the pump side of the check valve return to the well, so that no water is in the line in the winter. I now have an amtrol bladder tank. When I turn on the water from a sink it spurts out air and water. Is there a way to get the air out of the tank?

The check valve has a vent on it (like a bicycle tire air filler) that is on the pump side of the check valve.
We better get our terms running on the same track or We'll be here all year. Here's what I call a check valve and you don't pump up a check valve like a bicy
Cle tire, (see image) Please explain your deviation of a check valve. Sure sounds like a bladder tank to me.
I'm just begaining to get a glimmer of what you have. A submersible pump pumping up to a check valve and then into a holding tank. Correct so far? Your holding tank had as float switch to shut the pump down and the check valve howls the water in the holding tank but will allow the water in the suction pipe to drain back into the well. From there on in I'm lost. From the holding tank to the cabin is there another pump with a bladder tank involved or is the cabin gravity fed? I can't help unless I know what you have and thus far I've just been guessing. Please be more discriptive in your explanations. Do any of the above tanks ring a bell? Cheers, Tom

If I may offer an opinion here, but recognize that I am not an well expert.

What I think you previously had was a galvanized pressure tank. One of the problems with pressure tanks is that after a period of use they become what is known as "water logged". Over time the water in the tank absorbs the air in the tank that is used to create water pressure. When a pressure tank becomes water logged you have to turn off the pump, drain the tank and allow it to fill with air. The water from the pump compresses the air in the tank and creates the water pressure.

One solution to avoiding this recurring task is the automatic air control valve (AAC).
When the pumps shuts off, the check valve that you are referring to, allows air to enter the well pipe and the water in the pipe drains back down the well. When the pump comes on again the air in the pipe is pumped into the tank. To prevent the tank from accumulating too much air, the float valve you refer to senses the water level and lets air out until the water reaches the proper level. It then closes and the continued pumping of water into the tank compress the air and water pressure is created.

That is the principle on which the AAC valve works. However they are subject to frequent failure after a period.

The AAC is designed for pressure tanks not for bladder tanks. The bladder keeps the air and water masses separate so water logging is not a problem and the AAC is not needed.

So the AAC was for air volume control in a pressure tank and not to prevent freezing of the well line. Assuming your well pipe is under ground you do not have to be concerned about freezing.

The reason you are getting air out the faucets is that the check valve is still in place and allowing air to enter the well pipe each time the pump shuts off. When the pump comes on the air in the well pipe is pumped into the bladder tank and has no where to go except out the faucet.

Remove and replace with a regular check valve.

Hey Harold,
Perhaps you can do better then I. I put up both a bladder tank and a galvanized pressure tank and didn't get a raise out of him. I'm getting a little tired of attempting to guess what he has, I'm still trying to figure out what he meant by a check valve with a snifter valve I don't seem able to get a plausible explanation from him. I don't know what he wants. I don't know even what he has. And this after 4 posts? You give it a shot because I'm just as much in the dark now as I was from post 1. Good luck,Tom

Hi Tom

I'm under the impression that what he is referring to is part of the AAC system. My explanation may not be all that clear. I was trying to avoid writing a book.

HK is right. The simple fix is to remove the fixture holding the air release valve and plug that hole. That will prevent the wellpipe from venting each time the pump turns off.



Not sure how anyone could disagree with what I wrote. That is exactly what I did in the same situation as this guy and it has worked perfectly for 10 years.

J, the new rating system sucks.

I second that.

Didn't it used to say "agree" or "disagree"? Did I just imagine that?

What do you see? All I see is a comment block with a colon.
On another post Tom gave me a reddie like he did you, which I'm sure was inadvertent because post indicated agreement.

Given Tom's post on this thread, his reddie to you has to be unintended or the system is just all screwed up.

Tom, are you handing out reddies?

Edit:

I just posted an "I agree" to Parttime. All I see is the colon in the comment block but my comment appears in Parttime's profile.

Are the system gurus watching? I doubt it, system testing is not something programmers do any more..

What do you see? All I see is a comment block with a colon.
On another post Tom gave me a reddie like he did you, which I'm sure was inadvertent because post indicated agreement.

Given Tom's post on this thread, his reddie to you has to be unintended or the system is just all screwed up.

Tom, are you handing out reddies?
What are you guys talking about? I don't give out reddies. And haven't for as long as I can remember. If I have a problem with a post I post back a nrebutal explaining why I don't agree. I consider a reddie to be a cowards way of disagreeing, You should know me better then that. One more time!
If I disagree with a post I answer it and tell them why I disagree, I DON'T HAND OUT REDDIES. I will PM this to you both in case you miss this. I want the posts where I gave out reddies exposed. I want to get to the bottom of this. And in closing let me say that I have the utmost respect for both of you. Just as I have for the rest of the expert. I don't know how this got started but I'm going to find out. That is if I don't get banned first as I've already be been threatened by the powers that be. Work with me on this. If I'm raining reddies down on my best experts I want to know the reason. Regards, Tom

I'm referring to my post on this thread on 9/12. I received a "not helpful" from Speedball. At least that's what my profile says. I'm not wildly concerned about it. As I have stated on several occasions, I am not a pro and don't pretend to be. I have some experience with water wells and like to occasionally enter the discussions on this board, but several others are the pros and I'm OK with that. My ambition here is to learn more than to give advice. I just wondered if someone had spotted a flaw in my reply that I was not aware of.

Hey jlisembe,
I went into your profile and saw the reddie. I also looked up your 9/12 post. I don't see my name any where. I didn't give you a reddie, (nor Harold) What makes you think it was me? Regards, Tom

37368

I could not get this to load in a message. I guess I've done it right here. This is what I have on my profile page.

I guess the reason I didn't pick up the name is because I'm using the old blue skin. I had no reason to hang a reddie on either you or Harold. I just don't know and at this time I can't even venture a guess.
We had no disagreement on those threads and if I did disagree you would have heard about it in a post and not a reddie. Again, I think reddies are a cowards way of disagreement and I think the system should be abolished.One more thing. I notice the time is 4:32w PM. That's the time I spend watching Judge Judy and am not useally on the computer at that time. I hope there's no hurt feelings over this. Regards, Tom

It's a nothing to me. In fact, I will say again... Good to have you back online!

Thanks Jlisenbe,
It's good to be back. For a while there I wondered if I'd ever be able to come back. This shingles attack started last year, put me in the hospital twice, ( the last time I almost died) and Is still with me.
Some doctors say I'll have it for the rest of my life. At the present time it's under control. Let's hope it stays that way. Not too sure I can survive another attack. Have a great week end. Tom

Well then, a good subject for prayer.
Thanks, Your support is muchly apprecated. Tom