Like a previous post, I have air in my system. I have a submersible pump, with two air storage tanks. The small tank is 18 years old. It looks like I'd have to take my entire system apart to free this tank up to check if it's bladder is leaking. A brass machined pipe comes from the bottom of the tank and joins a PVC pipe that connects it to the other storage tank. The only way I could break this small tank out to check for leakage of the bladder would be to hacksaw the brass pipe that connects to the bottom of the tank. I'm not sure that a brass compression fitting exists to cap this off, as it does not look to be a standard "pipe".

If I shut off the pump and drained the tanks of pressure, and then bled all pressure off the small tank, would this at least solve my "air in the system" problem? (assuming it's a bad bladder) And would that in effect take the small tank out of the water supply loop until I can make sure of getting something to cap off the brass pipe? My ultimate plan is to add another 80 plus gallon storage tank to minimize my submersible pump cycling on/off and to have a larger resevoir in the case of power outage. Does any of this make sense?

Thanks,

Jim

 

Jim,
You don't have to do all of that to see if the bladder in the tank is leaking or holding pressure.
Cut the power to your pump, drain the water pressure down, and then check the air pressure of the tank with a tire gauge at the air valve at the top of the tank.
It should be two psi below your pump cut-on pressure.
Bleed it off only if it is too high, and pump it up with a bicycle pump or portable air tank or compressor if it's too low.
If it holds pressure steadily, that tank bladder is o.k. If the pressure drops just sitting there after you check it or adjust the pressure in it, then you need to replace it. Check the other tank, too, while you're at it.
If both tanks are o.k., you may have a leak down in the well.
For good info on wells and pumps, check out Ron (Pumpman) Peeks' site at www.peekspump.com
If he drops by in here, he can help you far more than I can.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

Jim,
As Mike said you can drain the tank and check for a ruptured bladder without taking the tank completely out of the loop. In fact, many times you can simply depress the air valve on top of the tank while it is under pressure. If the bladder is bad, water will come out of the air valve.
Chances are, if the bladder is bad in the small tank, it's already full of water and would not be the source of the air in your system. When the bladder in a tank ruptures, it usually behaves like the system is water logged; the pump will start every time a water faucet is opened.
At this point I'd be inclined to think that your air in the system may be coming from some other source. Be sure to check the water level in the well. Many times, even when the water level is a couple of feet above the pump, I've seen the pump suction create a "vortex" that allows air to be sucked into the suction of the pump. The result is air in the system.
In any case, let us know what you find with the small tank, ok?
Best regards,
Ron Peeks
R.L. Peeks Pump Sales
www.peekspump.com
Thanks, Mike!!!!!

 

Ron and Mike,

Thanks for your info. I've pressed the air release on the tanks with the pump on, and all strong pressure comes out, and the tank maintains about a 48 psi on my gauge. Looks like no water leak there. My pump is in a 200 foot well, I guess what you're suggesting is that there may be some air infiltration in the submersible pump and connections, and the only way to check that out would be to pull the pump, correct?

Thanks again,

 

Correct.
You'll probably need a pro with the proper experience and equipment to handle the weight of a 200' well, though.
Look for leaks at connections and fittings first.
Mike

 

Problem has been diagnosed and fixed. It was a "check valve" on the top of my Jacuzzi submersible pump. The pump is relatively new, but evidently the warranty doesn't cover the check valve. Go figure. Thanks again for the responses, I've learned a lot.

 

Expert was wrong: Back to square one
Well, (pardon the pun), after the plumber replaced the check valve at the submersible pump, I had to let the water/chlorine set for 24 hours. When I cranked up the system to run off the chlorine, same problem AIR IN THE LINE. When the pump was pulled, all connections were checked. My water is not dirty, I guess that would rule out a split in the line to the house.

I notice that when the pump kicks in, about 90 seconds later there is a noticable swish of air in my holding tanks. I've check it several times, and it's alwayw just about 90 seconds into the cycle. The beginning of the cycle and the remainder are noise free. With the water running full force from my hose, the cycle lasts about 8 1/2 minutes total, then cycles off for about 5 minutes. Any other ideas?


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Jimmy