View Full Version : How to check if water is in a Pressure Tank
Kokes
Jan 5, 2008, 04:32 PM
How can I check to see if my pressure tank is getting any water? The entire system is just a little over a year old. The pump seems to run more then what it should. I have checked the pressure on the tank and it is set at 28 psi (30 - 50 psi switch). No water came out of the valve, so the tank seems to be good. However the tank is extremely light for picking up. Is there a way to see if I'm truly getting water in to the pressure tank?
Thanks
jlisenbe
Jan 5, 2008, 07:44 PM
You would do well to see how much drawdown you can get from your tank. To do this, wait until the pump has pumped up to 50# and shut down. Run water from an outdoor faucet into a five gallon bucket and see how many gallons you get until the pressure drops to 30# and the pump kicks back in. You should get at least 5 to 6 gallons, depending on the size of your tank. This water must be in the tank as there is no other place for it.
Understand that a tank will not hold as much water initially as it will once the air under the bladder has been absorbed into the water. This can take some time. The main consideration is that you not have water above the bladder, which you do not seem to have. Don't be concerned about how much water is under the bladder. The main consderation is to get sufficient drawdown before the pump must kick back in at 30#.