Wellmate Pressure Tank Bladder Replacement

How Do We Repair A Water Tank With A Burst Internal Bladder

Diagnosis of a burst water tank bladder: as we outlinedat WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR, if you remove the cap from the air valve on the top of your water tank and depress the pin in the center of the valve, normally air will hiss out.

Don’t hold this valve pin down or you’ll lose the air charge. But if water comes squirting out of this air valve, the captive-air bladder type water tank has burst or become torn or leaky, and repair is needed.

The illustration at left is courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

A second symptom of burst water tank bladder: if air is found squirting out of plumbing fixtures it’s possible that the cause is a burst bladder in the water tank the tank’s air charge is being forced out into the building plumbing system.

A third symptom of burst water tank bladder: if the water tank is full or nearly so and you are unable to drain water out of the tank, a burst bladder may be blocking the tank at its bottom. A burst water tank bladder can collapse at the water tank bottom, preventing water from leaving the tank. The result is no water pressure in the building and perhaps an inability to drain water from the water tank itself.

At WellMate DIAGNOSIS we provide separate water tank diagnosis and repair advice for captive-air water tanks in which the air is in the bladder and the water is outside the bladder in the water tank.

Reader Bill Kortebein described how he identified and repaired this problem.

How To Diagnose & Repair Wellmate Type Bladder Or Non

Illustration: a Pentair – Wellmate fiberglass, side-port or SP-series non-bladder water pressure tank. The company’s WM-series pressure tanks use an intenral air cell . WellMate SidePort or SP-series water tanks do not use an internal bladder.

Here we provide WellMate & Pentair & other brand contact information, water tank / well tank installation and operation manuals, and troubleshooting advice.

Reader Nancy Martin asked how to diagnose well pump short cycling and a possible water tank or bladder problem for the WellMate bladder-type water tank which uses the tank bladder to retain the air charge in a water pressure tank.

WellMate describes two types of water pressure tanks used in residential and light commercial applications:

Our WellMate links near the bottom of This article can direct you to photographs that help identify which type of water tank is installed at your property.

Which Type of WellMate or Fiberglass Water Tank is Installed?

These are different tank designs so first we need to know which type you have – take a look at the photos at the two WellMate links.

How Does A Well Mate Work

How does a well pressure tank work? A well pressure tank uses compressed air to push pressurized water out of the tank and into your home. Pressure tanks have a diaphragm, also called a bladder, that separates a chamber of air from the water. As the tank fills with water, it compresses the air chamber.

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Tips For Testing & Repairing A Captive Air Water Tank Bladder

Try this: if you have this type of tank, remove the valve step cap covering the bladder inflator valve located on the top of the tank. Using a small implement, MOMENTARILY depress the valve pin in the center of the valve stem down to see if air or water comes out. If water comes out of this valve the air bladder has burst.

But the bladder could be burst but blocking the valve in which case nothing will happen. If air comes out of this valve the the tank bladder contains air and may not have burst.

If air comes out of the valve, use an accurate tire gauge to check the air pressure at the valve.

If the air pressure is 4 psi below the well pump cut-in pressure then the air bladder is probably fine. If the air pressure is less than that figure, using a bicycle pump, just add a little air to the bladder until it is set to the proper number – 4 psi below the pump cut-in pressure.

Draining the water tank itself and adding air to a bladder type tank itself through the bladder valve at the tank top of a tank with a failed bladder MIGHT work to improve performance for a while but you need to replace the bladder.

A guide to replacing the air bladder in the WellMate captive air tank is provided by the company at http://www.wellmate.com/pdf/Residential_AirCell_Replace_Instructions.pdf

The air bladder in the WellMate type water tank is to be inflated to 4 psi below the well pump’s “cut-in” pressure.

Pentair Wellmate Well Mate Air Cell/bladder Replacement Kit Wm

This fits your .
• Make sure this fitsby entering your model number.
• Genuine WELLMATE brand BUTY AIR CELL REPLACEMENT KIT
• INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONS, O-RINGS,WASHERS AND AIR CELL
• COMPATIBLE WITH QUICK CONNECT AND OR CLASSIC MODEL
• WORKS ONLY WITH NEWER “GRAY” COLORED TANKS
• BRAND NEW IN FACTORY SEALED BOX… SHIPS FAST!

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Whats The Difference Between Captive Air And Wellmate

Oliver, see WATER TANK CAPTIVE AIR vs TRADITIONAL WellMate for a comparison of these two types of water pressure tanks. almost always are made with a visible seam around the body of the tank, usually at the center ot the pressure tank, or the tank may have a removable bottom or top through which the internal bladder is assembled at the factory.

What kind of water tank does wellmate use?

This article describes how to identify, diagnose and repair of WellMate water tanks, including both internal air bladder-type tanks and bladderless traditional or hydro pneumatic type water pressure tanks such as the WellMate Traditional Air/Water tank: how they work, what goes wrong, how to fix it.

How big is a well mate bladder tank?

Well Mate Fiberglass Pre-charged 118.7 Gallon Bladder Tank WM35WB. Equivalent in drawdown to a 350 gallon galvanized atmospheric tank. Connection: 1-1/4 MNPT (Male pipe thread.

What kind of warranty does WM wellmate have?

All WM Wellmate tanks carry a five year limited factory warranty for potable water residential installations and 2 years for non-residential installations. Does the warranty cover labor?

Wellmate Fiberglass Bladder Water Pressure Tanks

They will perform better and last longer. WM-Series tanks are the ideal choice for new and replacement residential installations and pressure boosting applications. The WM-Series offers features and benefits steel tanks just cant match. From theircorrosion-proof composite construction… to their lighter weight, easier maintenance and less expensive installation WM-Series pressure tanks are the preferred choice of professionals. Especially when the following advantages are added to the mix: Replaceable Air Cell for easier field servicing. Greater Drawdown than Comparably-Sized Steel Tanks for greater efficiency. Extended Labor Warranty Option . Wont Rust in Corrosive Environments particularly important in agricultural andlivestock applications, and coastal regions. Quicker and Less Costly to Install usually requiring only one person and fewer man-hours. Wider Pressure Setting Differential for greater flexibility.

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Question: Replace A Duracel Dp

Can the bladder in my Duracel DP-42 be replaced from the top. – Anonymous by private email 2017/03/30

Reply: possible sources of repair parts or bladders for the Duracel well tank

Previously probably yes but now unfortunately most-likely no.

The Duracel DP-42 is a blue fiberglass water pressure tank that uses an internal bladder.

These tanks were sold roughly from 1960 to 1990 in North America and are no longer marketed. So obtaining an exact water tank bladder replacement may be difficult.

Usually a replacement water pressure tank bladder is custom-sized and shaped to fit in and seal into a specific water tank design.

Still you might want to give a call to a couple of the water pressure tank providers listed below. Most likley you’ll need to replace the tank.

Duracel water tanks or well tanks were produced by Structural Fibers, a producer of fiberglass and plastic tanks, Structural Fibers, Industrial Parkway, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Tel: 729-1951.

The company appears to be a division of Essef Corporation, 220 Park Drive Chardon, Ohio 44024 U.S.A, Tel: 286-2200 or 286-4116. Essef was incorporated in 1954 as Structural Fibers, Inc., an Ohio-based company. – “Essef Corporation History”

Troubleshooting A Bladder Pressure Tank

A bladder pressure tank contains pressurized air and water separated by a flexible membrane . These tanks are typically precharged with air at the factory.

As water pressure changes, the volume of air in a bladder tank contracts and expands. Periodically, the amount of air in the tank should be measured and the tank recharged if the air is too low.

Although a bladder tank for a typical home or smaller commercial water system will not have a very large storage capacity, it will perform several important functions:

• It maintains a desired range of water pressure in the distribution system.
• It minimizes pump cycling, preventing frequent starts and stops and protecting pumps from motor burnout or other water system components from damage.
• It protects against water hammer.

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Do You Need A New Pressure Tank Know The Signs

We see it all the time: the pressure tank starts causing problems and the homeowner is left with inconsistent water pressure or no water at all. What could be happening, and should you call a water well professional? Pressure tank problems can be difficult fix, and the pressure tank often has to be replaced. Whether youre a homeowner or even a renter on a well system, knowing the signs of pressure tank problems can help you prevent further water system damage earlier on.

How Do The Well Pump and Pressure Tank Work

You can think of your pressure tank and well pump like a battery and generator. The pressure tank stores the pressure , and the pump makes the pressure .

Just like a battery-generator relationship, when you dont have a working pressure tank, the well pump switches on. When the pump begins to cycle on and off quickly, the pressure tank is damaged, and your damage bill could be 3 times more than it needed to be.

How Long Should My Pressure Tank Last?

Today were looking at bladder pressure tanks, the common pressure tank type that reduces pump cycling, protects against water hammer and maintains water pressure within your house.

There are a few factors that determine how long your bladder pressure tank will last. First, the quality of the pressure tank itself. Cheaper pressure tanks will last 5 years, while high quality pressure tanks could last up to 30 years. If the water is clean and the tank is properly sized it should be lasting an average of 15 years. .

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How Much Air Pressure Should My Pressure Tank Have

This depends on which pressure switch you have. If you have a 40/60 switch, the air pressure in the tank should be set to 38 PSI. The general rule is to set the pressure at 2 PSI below the cut-in pressure . To set this accurately, your well pump must be turned off and all water needs to be drained from the tank.

How Long Does A Well Mate Last

If the water is clean and the tank is properly sized it should be lasting an average of 15 years. . The longevity of the pressure take also depends on quality of the water being pumped up from the well.

What is a well mate tank?

WellMate composite tanks are the tank of choice in residential applications for their unmatched durability. In addition, their epoxy-resin sealed outer shell will not dent and the scratch-resistant paint eliminates touch-ups, making WellMate tanks virtually maintenance-free.

How long does a fiberglass pressure tank last?

On average, a bladder pressure tank lasts 57 years.

What is the best water pressure tank?

The 5 best Well Pressure Tank you can buy in 2020

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How Do You Pressurize A Well Mate Pressure Tank

Apply a small amount of psi with air compressor to snifter valve to completely evacuate pressure tank of all water. Turn off hose spigot/sample tap and add proper amount of air into tank Your system has now been re-pressurized. Switch power back on and allow pumping system to build up to the cut off pressure.

Pentair Wellmate Tank Accessories And Replacement Parts

• Pentair WellMate Tank Accessories and Replacement Parts

Our accessories include everything you need to complete your WellMate installation. For your convenience accessories are grouped according to product type captive air tank, non-captive air tank and quick-connect systems.

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Tips For Testing & Repairing A Traditional Hydro

Type 2 tanks, described by WellMate as hydro pneumatic water tanks, do not incorporate an internal bladder but rather an air volume control valve that replaces air into the tank as needed. These tanks will perform better than older steel water pressure tanks because we don’t face the concern of rust perforation of the tank.

If the air volume control fails, the tank will act much like a type 2 tank

See TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL and scroll down to the description of older steel water tanks. In this case you may need to replace the AVC.

Draining and adding air to an AVC type tank with a failed AVC also MIGHT work to improve performance for a while but you need to replace the AVC.

Water tank bladder air pressure adjustment: also review

WATER TANK BLADDER PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT if you are adjusting, tuning, or replacing the air pressure in your bladder-type well tank.

Replacement Water Tank Bladder Or Well Tank Bladder Sources & Procedures & Patents

The Yavorsky water tank patent citation and the Essef Corporation History cited in the list of replacement tank bladder sources are included to give a bit of history of the Duracel water pressure tank.

Continue reading at WATER TANK BLADDER PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER TANK BLADDER REPLACEMENT FAQs – questions and answers posted originally at the end of this article.

Or see these

• WATER TANK BLADDER REPLACEMENT

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER TANK BLADDER REPLACEMENT at InspectApedia.com – online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

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Users Who Are Viewing This Thread

• #1

QuestionsBladderAVCAir Pressure

• Should the tank be empty ?
• Should it be full?
• Should air pressure in tank equal the current water pressure in the tank? Or be 2 psi below like with a bladder tank?
• Right now the water pressure shows 44 psi and the air pressure tank shows 40 psi. Is that okay?

Cut in/out

• #7

• #10

Captive Air Water Pressure Tanks With An Internal Air Bladder

Type 1 or captive air water pressure tanks sold by WellMate and the company’s WM well tanks, and similar tanks from some other manufacturers are constructed of fiberglass and use an internal bladder to hold the air charge.

If the air bladder has ruptured, the water tank will begin to act like an old-fashioned steel water tank – air absorbs into the water until there is not much air charge, the tank becomes water logged, and the well pump will short cycle on and off.

Our description of WATER PRESSURE TANKS, STEEL – separate article adds details.

If the air bladder has failed, the tank will act much like a type 2 hydro pneumatic or traditional water tank.

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