Well water pressure tanks are very valuable commodities for a modern plumbing system. They ensure that water flows evenly and steadily throughout your home at all times. However, these pressure tanks get put under a ton of stress and pressure, and will usually need to be replaced every five to seven years. When the time comes, you can save a lot of money by installing your own well pressure tank.
To replace your old well pressure tank and install a new one, you'll first have to get the old one out of the way. Next, remove the water line from the old tank and connect it to the bottom of the new one. After you set your new tank into place, you can reconnect the water line on the bottom of the tank to the water line, and you're good to go.
Installing a well pressure tank isn't overly difficult, but it's important to be meticulous and precise. You should also take precautions to stay safe during the process because you will be working with water and electricity simultaneously, which can be dangerous. However, as long as you follow the instructions and advice in this article and your jurisdiction's codes, you should have no trouble installing your own well pressure tank.
Make Sure Your Existing Pressure Tank Needs to Get Replaced
Before jumping the gun and ripping out your old tank, you should first perform a couple of tests to make sure it has given out. One way to tell that your pressure tank is busted is if your water pulsates as it comes out of your faucet or if your well pump is constantly clicking on and off. If either of these things happen, there's a good chance it's time for a new well pressure tank.
However, these are also signs that your well pump could be giving out. Therefore, it's important to check the health of the tank itself, and there are two ways to do this.
1. Try to move and shake the pressure tank. If it feels extremely heavy and difficult to move, it's waterlogged and needs to be replaced.
2. Use a screwdriver or pointy object to depress the air pressure valve on top of the tank. If water squirts out instead of compressed air, your tank is waterlogged and needs to be replaced.
Gather the Necessary Tools and Supplies
If you have determined that your water pressure tank needs to be replaced, the first thing you should do is gather all your tools and supplies. This is a good way to save time and money during your plumbing project. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need.
•The new tank, preferably one that's the same size and requires the same connections.
•Teflon tape
•Pipe dope
•Two pipe wrenches
•Screwdriver
•Pressure tank installation kit
•Garden hose
•Female PVC Connectors
Install the New Water Pressure Tank
Once you have your supplies gathered, you're ready to proceed with the water pressure tank installation.
Remove the Old Tank
1. Turn off the power supply to the tank by shutting off the breaker at the breaker box.
2. Before removing the tank, you'll need to drain the water inside of it.
3. To do this, connect a garden hose to the drainage valve on the front of the tank.
4. Put the other end of the water hose outside or into a floor drain and open the valve to initiate the flow of water.
5. With the tank as empty as possible, disconnect the union that connects the water pressure tank to your home's water supply.
6. If your old tank has a pressure gauge and a pressure relief valve, keep them in place to reuse them.
7. Once the tank is empty and disconnected, move it out of the way.
Prep the New Tank for Installation
Before setting your new tank in place, there's a bit of prep work that's easier to do with the tank disconnected.
1. If the T or elbow connected to the bottom of your old water tank is in good shape, you can disconnect it and reattach it to your new tank.
2. Before making the attachment, wrap the threaded end of the pipe with Teflon tape and pipe dope.
3. Insert the threaded end of the pipe into the elbow on the bottom of the tank and tighten it. Make sure that the end of the pipe is facing the right direction to easily reconnect to your home's water line.
Installing the Relief Valve and Pressure Gauge (If Necessary)
If you're installing a water pressure tank along with a new relief valve, drain valve, and pressure gauge, you'll need to go through a few extra steps.
1. Instead of using an elbow to attach to the bottom of the tank, you'll need to use a threaded T.
2. Connect the T to the elbow on the bottom of the tank so that it's perfectly level.
3. Connect a drain valve to one of the openings on the T and a pressure relief valve to the other opening.
4. Insert the pressure gauge into the smaller hole on top of the drain valve and a small plug into the other opening above the pressure relief valve.
5. Thread a female PVC connector onto the inlet and outlet sides of the T. One side will connect to the incoming water supply, while the other will connect to the outgoing line and well pump.
6. Use a tire pressure gauge to ensure your pressure tank is set to 28 psi. You can add air with a hand pump if the pressure is too low, or you can release air if it's too high.
7. Remember to ALWAYS wrap all threaded ends of the pipe with Teflon tape and pipe dope before screwing them into female ends.
Set the Tank in Place
With your tank prepped and ready to go, you can set it into place exactly where your old one was.
Reconnect the Tank to the Water Line
If you replaced your old tank with a new one that's nearly identical, reattaching your water lines will be a cinch. Simply reconnect the water lines to your pressure tank and make sure that all the connections are watertight. Use Teflon tape and pipe dope to make these connections to ensure they're sound.
When you're ready, turn the power back on to the well pump, allow the tank to fill with water, and your pump is ready to roll!
Ensuring a Successful Installation
If you're installing a well pressure tank for the first time, you need to do a little more homework than if you're replacing an existing tank. It's important to choose a tank that's the right size, put it in the right location, and choose one that fits your budget. Most well pressure tanks cost around $400 to $500, not including the installation cost.
The best location for a well tank is somewhere that's easily accessible for maintenance purposes but that's also out of the way. Typically, this will be somewhere in your basement near other equipment, such as a water softener, water heater, or furnace. You can optionally install your water pressure tank outside, but it's at higher risk of rust and corrosion.