Bladder tank leaks?

[Neil Shaw]

If I'm pumping air into my Flotec bladder tank (its not connected to anything) and the pressure never goes up, is the bladder busted? If it is, can and how do I put in a new bladder? TIA.

[trinitro]

Probably.

Turn on the pump, let it pressurize with water and check for water coming out of the schrader valve (where you put the air in).

[Pumpman]

If the pressure never builds up, then the bladder is bad. I doubt that you can change the bladder in a Flotec tank. Look at the bottom of the tank. If there isn't a bolted flange on the bottom, you can't change the bladder. I can tell you that it is a real pain to change one, though. Some tanks have diaphragm in them that are not changable.
Ron

[H2O GUY]

The tank should have a preset amount of air in it from the factory. Usually it is 3 psi less than the cut in pressure of the pump (set by the pressure switch). Should be at around 27 psi if the pump is shut off and drained completely out so the pressure on your house system is 0 psi. Then take a pressure reading on the tank.

Also, if you pump is turning on / off frequently when you do small things like get a glass of water, etc. then your tank is shot. Don't mess with repairing these unless it is 300 gal or larger, just get a new one.

[Ed Imeduc]

Is just say time for a new tank .

ED ;)

[Neil Shaw]

Thanks for the advice guys, I used a compressor to pressurize the tank and the water pressure is now fine.

[nomind]

Hi everyone,
- Please permit to ramble on a little to correct a few 'popular misconceptions' here.-
1.The ABSENCE of water coming out of a nipple at the top of a bladder tank is NOT necessarily an indication of a good bladder. However, the PRESENCE of water at that nipple means the bladder is dead.

2. The ABSENCE of air pressure at the top nipple is not necessarily indicative of a bad bladder. Air pressure can and does sometimes leak through the valve or threads.

3.Very few bladders smaller than 120 gal are 'practically' replaceable EVEN if there's a bolted flange. Try putting a balloon in a thin neck bottle, filling it with water and trying to pull it out - you'll know what I mean ! -Plus most mfgrs will not sell you just the bladder.

4. Almost ALL bladder tanks come from mfgr with 45 psi pre-charge. You have to let air OUT to equalise properly.

5. 30-50 is not 'written in stone'. Many newer large homes are set to run 35-60 or 40-65.

6. The so-called 30-50 pressure switch by Square D, ( the FSG-2 ) is in fact variable to cut in anywhere from 10-45 and out anywhere from 20-65, -and I frequently use them accordingly. (to adjust to plumbing and user preference). 30 - 50 is merely a comfortable middle of their range. :cool:

Do it Right - Do it once.