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-   -   Steps to add air to well water pressure holding tank (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=274306)

  • Oct 27, 2008, 04:53 PM
    harvco1
    Steps to add air to well water pressure holding tank
    My water tank is water logged and short cycling. I know I need to add air but I don't recall the exact steps and I don't want to damage the system. I think I have to turn off pump.. drain water until the tank is about half full and the air nozzle is above water level... use air pump to add air into tank... Is this correct and if so how much air should be added ( to what pressure )... if incorrect or incomplete.. what's missing or wrong?

    Thanks
  • Oct 27, 2008, 06:08 PM
    jlisenbe

    Depends. Harvco, is this a bladder tank or one of the old galvanized tanks? If it's a bladder tank, then you really need a new tank. The only way the tank can be waterlogged is if the bladder is ruptured. If it's a bladder tank, your air valve will be at the top. For the short term, you can turn off the system and allow water to drain through an outside faucet. Add air as the water drains, keeping pressure at ten pounds or so until the tank is practically empty. Then turn the system back on. Ideally, the tank will be about half full when the pump kicks off. It's kind of hard to mess this up.

    Now, if you have a galvanized tank, the air valve will be on the side, about halfway or so up the side. If this tank is waterlogged, then your system has problems. Let us know if that is the case. I don't want to write that much unless it is needed.
  • Apr 12, 2010, 09:08 PM
    igorman

    I have a gavanized that is waterlogged.how do I get it back in working order?
  • Apr 13, 2010, 04:23 AM
    hkstroud

    Assuming you have a drain valve on the tank or the pump line, turn pump off, open drain valve, open cold water faucet, drain tank of all water. When tank is completely drained of all water, close drain valve and faucet, turn pump on.
  • Apr 13, 2010, 06:43 AM
    speedball1

    The widget maker nailed it. Recharging a pressure tank is easy, Simply drain the water out of the tank and you're recharged. Good luck, Tom
  • Apr 13, 2010, 09:05 AM
    jlisenbe

    Igor, bear in mind that many galvanized tanks are part of a system is designed to recharge the tank every time the pump cuts on. If your tank is like that, you will see an air release valve about halfway up on the side of the tank. It's purpose is to prevent the tank from simply filling with air. If you have that, then it is likely your system is not functioning properly, which means you will have to recharge your tank regularly. That can (speaking from personal experience) be a pain, and it is also a detriment to your pump as it will cycle much more frequently than it should have to.
  • Jun 6, 2011, 06:29 AM
    Firefighteremt
    I was using a hose and my pressure dropped to 0 I shut the water off let it be but now I can only get my pressure to ten what should I do
  • Jun 6, 2011, 08:59 AM
    jlisenbe

    Three questions:

    1. Is your pump above ground or in the well?

    2. If it is above ground, how many pipes go into the well, one or two?

    3. Is the pump continuing to run, or does it shut off when it gets to 10#?

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