Well Pressure Tank: How it Works and How a Tank Gets Waterlogged

Every well system with a pump has a pressure tank. It is important to understand how pressure tanks work, and what happens when they fail so you can be aware. This particular tank was a 44 gallon Well Rite tank made by Flexcon. This tank was cut open to see the inside of a bladder tank. Specifically, what happens when a tank goes bad and gets waterlogged.

[@aramboranian9592]

Finally the homeowner knows how the water ,air ,and blader in the tank relate to one another.A picture is worth a thousand words.You are a great teacher,

[@jefffrayer8238]

Nice video but he should have clarified what a " Bladder Tank " is. Prior to bladder tanks there was just water tanks with the correct amount of air added regularly at the top. Add too much air and it leaks into your pipes releasing sediment. With correct amount of air it works same as bladder tanks but the air is eventually removed by the water and the tank becomes "Waterlogged" and you need to add air again or the pump will cycle quickly. To help with the problem there was an "Air Injector" you could add to the tank which would inject a little air into tank when pump cycled. It was a hassle at that time to use a tire pump to add air ( but not too much ) every few months but that's what you did. Around in the 60's the bladder tank came on the market to solve the problem by seperating water from the air with the bladder so water no longer absorbed the air. I have the same size tank on the farm as the bigger the tank the less often the pump cycles which extends pump life. Too bad an old farmer has to explain what a Well Driller should have but that's modern times I guess. Probably this guy doesn't remember Water Softeners that had to be manually operated but that's a different story. Hope explaination helps someone understand bladder tanks.

[@dukeman7595]

@@jefffrayer8238 I agree, I used to have just a tank that would become water logged every couple months and I had to add air.

[@jefffrayer8238]

@@dukeman7595 Yes, that's how it was done before bladder tanks using country wells. Many of the old air tanks were cut in half and used to feed livestock. We had a shallow well pump located outside the house below ground level to keep from freezing here in Michgan. Probably about 4X4 and 4 foot deep with a cover topped with straw bales to keep from freezing. We also had a softner that you dumped Iron Out and Salt into from the top and manually controlled the wash and rinse cycles. If you left it on rinse too long then you needed to start over. You must be fairly old to remember, I'm almost 70 raised on the farm. I do think the guy explainded the bladder tank fairly well but failed terribly as to why the bladder tank and what was used before.

[@dukeman7595]

@@jefffrayer8238 Live in the Ozarks, there're quite a few non-bladder tanks still in use in this area. I had one until the pump failed 11 years ago at which time it was changed to the new system. I will say it's a lot easier not deaing with a waterlogged system. Hope it lasts, thanks for your reply and take care.

[@jefffrayer8238]

@@dukeman7595 Ahhh, The Ozarks. I'm thinking people have to be very tough and tight knit awesome to live down that way. I may have been able to tolerate Cotton Mouths and Alligators decades ago but no way would I live with invasive snakes and reptiles. Watching Swamp People is good enough for me, Lol. Love you people down there and please stay safe. There is an Alligator swimming around up here but should be caught shortly and I know they are tasty.

[@jimgardner9044]

I woke up this morning and my pump was running so went to the pump house to find a rust hole in the dome and a shower of water soaking all the electricals. so thankyou very much I can now see what's gone wrong and I am on my way to get a replacement tank. Diagrams and adverts are ok but seeing you with the top cut off and listening to the explanation is way better. Jim in NZ.

[@kelcritcarroll]

Thanks for helping this 60 year old lady understand what may be happening in my pump room!

[@tonyi7464]

Excellent .really helped understand what the technician ment when he said tank was waterlogged. Thank you

[@elleryprefontaine2975]

From Canada, thanks for the unedited video. Now i understand how the work and the failure of water passing the bladder. Much appreciated, keep up the good work. Also love the southern drawl 😁

[@bambam0099]

Thank you so much for the video! We were having water problems and didn't understand how the tank bladder works. Your video was so clear that anyone can easily understand how it works... even my wife! Lol. Thanks again

[@motorv8N]

That you for this. We use a pressurized system to supply a cabin with lake water. My whole life I assumed the bladder was at the top of the tank and full of air pressing down on the water in the rest of the tank. Now I get how the thing really works. Appreciate the lesson!

[@OxenHandler]

I just assumed the bladder held air. Now I know the bladder holds water. Thank you.

[@pheonixrisingtt924]

I don't know much about a lot but my thought went to the human anatomy in which the bladder holds fluids. Guess I should believe in myself a little more, like now when I have got to replace my tank but I'm doing everything else but that. That's why I'm here today studying all I can to make sure I've got a firm knowledge of what the hell it is that I'm doing. Pray for me please.

[@wallyklw5]

I thought the same. Thx

[@2wwwilly]

Why do plumbers always replace faulty tanks when only you need to replace the bladder ..make more money while consumers dumb dumb 😢😢😂😂😅😅

[@rapturebound197]

@@2wwwilly 1) they don't make replacement bladders 2) the bladder is inside the tank and the tank is steel. 3) That steel has to be completely welded shut so there's no access.. 4) the seal on that bladder to the tank and pipe fitting isn't something a DIY'er can do and 5) the labor $$ to replace that bladder would be the same or more than what a brand new tank costs and there wouldn't be any warranty. There are bigger conspiracies in life to worry about than your pressure tank bladder issues 😒 .

[@FishFind3000]

@@2wwwillythe bladder isn’t serviceable. You cannot open the tank.

[@jamesflick7221]

This video was very informative. I never knew the bladders were that big inside a water pressure tank. thank you so much for teaching me something new.

[@timklassen421]

Thank you for the video I have cut up a lot of pressure tanks but never thought of adding water to a cut up tank any big thumbs up .

[@Dmoore37]

This is awesome! I wondered how in the world these thangs worked. Now I know. This is the inverse of how I thought these worked.

[@shaneaudette6763]

Thank you for the clear video explaining the inside. We just had ours changed today. We had a leak in ours also. They installed a fiberglass one. People explained what was happening inside but this was perfect

[@tomnagle2001]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video, Wendell! Most helpful to those of us with wells and a very effective lesson in what’s happening on the inside of bladder tanks. Keep up the good work!!

[@WendellLeeWellServices]

Glad you enjoy them and we will keep them coming!

[@petersaie5440]

Thanks for your presentation. It was a learning experience for me, but question is, does a well pressure tank operates by a dc current or ac? I am planning to install one where there's no AC available, only DC solar current.

[@petedebo6906]

If your running off grid you are going to need a 3000 watt inverter to run the pump the tank itself is just a pressure reservoir to hold water it has no electrical parts

[@kennyh5083]

@@WendellLeeWellServices Yea better is good, but cost is what most have to deal with nowadays! Do I buy the ultimate pressure tank and go without food for a few months or do I buy what I can afford! Many country folk resort to putting a beach-ball in their tanks because they cannot afford to buy even the lower-priced tanks!

[@williammarvin8365]

That was a great explanation and when you see it it makes sense. My brother had a well that was straight to the house from the pump that had a major problem with but didn't have a bladder tank. Now I know why the problem was existing. Thank you very much

[@RandyDavid-nq4bq]

Very informative and interesting. Best part was that you addressed the question that I had about why not get a tank from Lowe's. Thanks for that important information.

[@jerdal6825]

I keep going through tanks every couple years so i was thinking about dissecting a tank myself to see what i could learn. Now I don't need to thanks to you. Awesome video!

[@williammarvin8365]

And we all get the fact that the air on top of the bladder is pushing the water out towards your faucets which gives you the extra pressure until the pump needs to fill the bladder back up which keeps the pump from cycling so much. That makes perfect sense and it's a great design

[@nr9293]

So helpful! From all us visual learners we appreciate you!

[@domthomas1002]

Sir, your video was very informative. Thank you for helping me make a decision. Our well take is now, 18 years old. The pump is still working fine. I Hope. Great video. lower alabama

[@josephmathiau5987]

Great video!!! Searched high and low on the web for how this works since we're new to well systems. Thank you so much!!

[@fish64801]

Excellent demonstration of tank working and problems with a bad bladder

[@robinsong7298]

Perfect visual explanation of how this tank works. You rock

[@accessmusic]

This was great! I love learning about things and kept searching for something explaining how a well pressure tank works and this was sooooo visual and well explained!

[@RaulRodriguez-hu3bx]

Great video brother. I’m going to change/repair a bladder tank tomorrow for work and I only have done it once before, years ago. This video refreshed my memories and taught me new things i did not know, now I feel a lot more confident and all thanks to your video. Keep up the good work!

[@carltonking2915]

Just moved to rural Ga and was trying to understand this deep well system thank you.

[@lizlangauraceneenvellum8716]

Thank you for the effort and time you put into this video, Wendell! And for sharing who the better tank makers are - Flexcon and Well X Trol. I like that you used real time on filling the tank, too.

[@DarylSchindler]

The video was very informative . I thought I knew a fair amount about wells and holding tanks but learned alot more.

[@marctaft3661]

Hey man, these videos are super informative and appreciated. Thank you for sharing knowledge and helping us to be more useful around the home.

[@Paul-pr5by]

Very knowledgeable, thank you for sharing your videos. I am a new home owner with a well, and knowing some of these things is big plus.

[@deansorgan]

Thank you for doing an “autopsy” on this defective tank. Very educational view of the inside and how these tanks work.

[@itztractorjohn]

Great video! I always wondered how they work. People explained it to me but much better to see it

[@larry254]

I am late to the game Wendell but, thanks for your time. I will probably only replace this one time in my life but still learned something here.

[@briancaine9130]

Good video. Very helpful to see bladder working within the tank. Thanks.

[@usmc6911]

I can't thank you enough.Im a mechanic on forklifts so I understand hydraulics but I had the layout bass ackwards. This explains alot.Awsome. Semper Fi

[@raysiekierski7656]

This is an excellent video.Thank you. You are one hell of a teacher. I finally understand whats wrong with my tank.

[@sean11ryan]

Thanks, that was great. Seeing the actual inside is very informative. Now I think I know what's wrong with my pressure tank.

[@steveperry7600]

Thank you. I never realized the water you use came from the inside of the bladder.

[@captainronwertz1008]

Excellent video. You are an awesome teacher. Well done, well presented.

[@seanshea5561]

Great video! Thanks' for the "inside" information. Much better than a cut away.

[@itz_whizz1200]

Great video explaining a bad bladder tank, thank you.

[@WendellLeeWellServices]

glad you enjoyed watching our videos

[@ElenaHaskins]

Thank you for this demonstration of a leaking tank bladder.

[@frontier9142]

Grew up in a house that had well water with a galvanized tank (No Bladder). The galvanized tank only had an air bubble. Mother father and five kids. We had horses, cattle and an inground pool. That old galvanized tank has been there for over 60 years and still works perfectly. Really don't understand why you would need a bladder if the old galvanized tanks never failed for over 60 years.

[@YouToobeism]

@frontier9142 - Great news that your family's galvanized steel tank has held up for 60 years. Not all are so lucky. You must have water free of most solids. An advantage of bladder / diaphragm tanks is better drawdown per cycle for the same volume of tank. But since your family's was only serving a small number of people, then drawdown may not be of much value, (unless you all took a bath on Saturday ;-) ). Good luck.

[@djsgravely]

My understanding is that the old-style tanks had to be much larger physically, but the main thing was maintaining the air charge, as the air mixes into the water so it’s always being depleted. I just replaced a tank yesterday, so I’ve learned a lot - thank you, internet!

[@LostLk2hi]

You were right about viewers (me) needing to see the inside. I'd thought the bladder held air and tank held water. Thank you for the 'inside view.' From🙃 to🙂

[@kennygerald3458]

I thought the exact same thing til I saw this video

[@leesmith5419]

Thank you for the video always wondered how they worked I had no idea great peace of advice

[@pheonixrisingtt924]

Thanks for the awareness, much needed as I'm a new homeowner and need to learn a lot of how to's so it doesn't defeat the purpose of owning.

[@mgbroussard]

Better than a cut away, thanks for taking the time.

[@goaster187]

I have plenty of patience for learning listening watching helpful info. Thankyou

[@pablolaja3211]

Thank you very much for this video it's very helpful and professional.

[@kennethsmith1744]

20 yrs ago we had this pump went out and we had a plumber come out. He was charging us by the Hr. And Decided the line was bad then it was the foot valve blah blah blah. Well thats when I stopped hiring them. Well after all these yrs. Im still not sure if he just didnt know or if he just needed my money which I didnt really have. Thanks for the explanation and I believe this will help a lotta people.

[@kennethmays6830]

Awesome video guys. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to make it.

[@testpilot77]

Thank you. This is an excellent video. Great demonstration and explanation.

[@tomtatum2005]

Thanks for the valuable info. I've replaced several tanks and always thought the bladder held the air pressure. Now I know

[@davidsteffes6415]

Thanks, this video explained well pressure tank operation. I understand how the different tests determine a bad tank.

[@mmaaddict8053]

Good video man. Taught me a lot about the pressure tanks. Thanks

[@cliffordeagle3734]

Super great video . Thank you for sharing your humble expert clarity and expérience

[@janpodejko857]

Thanks for time, willingness anfd effort put in these video

[@buckybocanegra2694]

Great video.. having issues with tank. Im New to water wells and these tanks. Helped alot. Best wishes 💯

[@naponbc5259]

Great video, well explained. This answear why I am getting water from the valve air steam . In need of a new thank. 😢

[@djsgravely]

That was daring standing there looking down as that bladder filled up and you could see a leak so you knew it could let go. If that would’ve popped, it would’ve been funny to watch in slow motion. There’s an idea for you! You’d get millions of views!

[@lynnr9796]

This is BRILLIANT!!! I so appreciate seeing this and learning all the cool info 🙏👏

[@sylbournemeikle6832]

Very interesting. I have always wanted to see how the inside of a bladder tank looks.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

It was a hard think to visualize before this video.. I understand this a lot better. Not perfectly yet.

[@robertwilmesherr7002]

Very helpful video, I now understand pressure tanks.

[@jeffpotter8984]

Thanks for the video! That's exactly what's happening to ours. Good to know how it works!

[@chewbakka777]

Man...I was getting concerned that the bladder was going to pop like a water balloon on you. I'm glad you cut the water off when you did. Lol 😂

[@askfirst1108]

Thank you for taking time out to do this video

[@jaynefranzinoromero1640]

Many thanks for the informative video. A professional pump service told me my diaphragm is waterlogged. Now I know what that means. It'll ruin my well pump. My tank is only about 7 years old.

[@petedebo6906]

I know this a old post just to add your foot valve at the end of the pipe in your well it maybe sucking up dirt or gravel and getting into your pressure tank and wearing it out from the inside you need a filter before the pressure tank to prevent damage I know this from experience hope this helps you and other people

[@Joshua-rt3qn]

Great job! Thank you totally understand now. I have a huge tank and wondered if I have to do any maintenance.

[@conniedyche7326]

This was very informative and interesting. I would never of known exactly how it works!! great video!

[@donaldBigelow]

great video. gives a much better understanding of what goes on in the tank.

[@saracinofamily6637]

How do you clean out the sediment or flush it out? Is it as simple as hooking a hose to the drain faucet?

[@brendaharlin3874]

Thank you for the information on the tank..I just learned a lot about how the pressure works

[@schrodingerscat7218]

Thank you for this. Very educational. Well-X-Trol 15-20 years for me.

[@patrobbins6784]

Very good!! I had the question of why was my pump not kicking in after I had run quite a bit of water, was thinking maybe was pressure tank but now don't think so, just hadn't run enough water that bladder called for more. House is empty in winter but will have a plumber check it out before I move back, thanks

[@kenwimmer3936]

good video !!!.. I'm going to plumb one of these tanks up to my pressure washer to be sure I have consistent water pressure , and not starve the pump when I'm out doing washing jobs .. been doing alot of looking and no one has thought of it yet... I have a 4000 ,4 gpm hot water E -Z clean ... it should help eliminate running a holding tank and trying to gravity feed water to the pump causing it to starve for water...

[@ojaihandydan]

Great video. I've spent many a nights behind the shop with a bladder like that after many Coors light

[@ryszardjacekrusniak7993]

The best video about the water tank with bladder construction and hw it works. Thank you for sharing. Can the bladder be replaced???

[@PerfectImperfections65]

Great information. I sort of knew what went on in there, but it was a great visual. I would have done it outside if possible so I could see the bladder explode! Ha! Thanks for the video!

[@brentbanning8200]

Great video and great explanation. Thank you

[@louisd.rodriguez]

Thank you Wendell. I really appreciate the lesson.

[@jeffcarlino489]

Great demo. Thank you.

[@pipertime1]

GREAT Video!!! I understand my tank now, Thanks.

[@EricMauney900]

This is an excellent video, exactly how to demonstrate a tank!!

[@woodyview]

Beautiful demonstration. Thank you.

[@richardquinones4943]

This explains it perfectly for me. Thanks for the video.

[@MrDavenez]

Thank you so much for your informative video !!!

[@sarahbaker8107]

Thank you, my dad's just exploded. 😬 So I decided it was probably a good time I learn more about the whole system.

[@backwoodsbushcraft2633]

Great visual video. What would cause the water to by pass the holding tank and run directly to the house? Pressure switch is working but the holding tank is empty. I've got 30 psi at the air nipple. Thank you

[@IconMaintenance]

Thank you for sharing this video...very informative!

[@SallyMiles-f6n]

Thank you for the video. I wonder how the pressure tank worked.

[@liseforget1687]

I would have liked to know what the symptoms were to lead you to this conclusion.

[@juanmascaras4246]

Thank you so much,, now I have a inside knowledge of the function of my tank,,and also for informing of quality tanks. High five bro,

[@JimMaury-k1b]

For the first time I understand what is happening in my tank. My tank is buried which makes it more difficult to service and maintain. Thank you.

[@kismetcorp]

I would get a pitless system and make it modern... should cost you maybe 2k

[@chuckstevenson6846]

Thanks for the video, how much air pressure should ther be in the tank and how do you check the air and add air. How do you know when your tank has a bladder leak.

[@edgufler1122]

Awesome video. Thank you for producing it for us.

[@StevenBinPV]

Thanks for the informative video! The bladder works and looks like I expected but I've always wanted to open one to look. You did it for me. A few questions: If you have a failed tank, would adding air pressure through the Shrader valve hold when the tank has discharged water/pressure? Wouldn't the air remain at the top of tank rather than discharge with water through the bottom of the tank? What do you think causes pin holes in the bladder?

[@newoneinblack]

That would be good to know. Logically to me the whole thing almost looks like a giant surge arrester. I do have to wonder though, if you pump air in the valve and let the water pressure drop below that, wouldn't the air basically push the water back into the bladder and pipes? Isn't that what happens every time you turn off the pump for a long while? I'm thinking my tank is probably from the eighties and it'd be helpful to know.

[@jacklabloom635]

My well tank came from Lowe’s in October of 2001. I did not realize the cheap tanks only lasted five years. I guess I better check and see if my tank needs to be replaced. I hope you have a video on how to check a pressure tank.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

I did not know that the big box stores sold some that last five years.

[@jacklabloom635]

@@PIANOSTYLE100 , after watching this video, I checked my pressure tank. It is still working properly. It still has air above the bladder and the air pressure was still correct. I purchased the 36 gallon well pressure tank from Lowes in October of 2001.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

@@jacklabloom635 Sounds like you are covering all the bases. I noticed the Schrader valve on mine was mostly rubber and has to be treated with care when charging up the air pressure or removing the pressure. I'll probably go to Ace Hardware as local hardware stores have an atmosphere that I enjoy.

[@racang]

Thanks, think this helps solve my pressure pump staying on and the tank not reaching the cutoff pressure.

[@GeneralAlex4]

Thanks for the cut away few ; it helped a lot!

[@Harold-l3i]

very nice video. keep making them. Make one on hooking up your well pump to a generator. thank you.

[@vladkalina69]

Good video great at the explanation of how it works!