Our house pressure was a little lower than normal this morning. For the last month I have noticed the pressure switch cycling more. from 60 to 40 psi in about 4 seconds. I changed the filter last week. It is after the pressure tank. Tonight I was going to check the precharge and there was water came out of the schrader valve. I'm going to say bladder is bad. Tank is a WellMate about 14 years old. I was thinking maybe sediment in the tank screwin g things up, but no signs of sediment anywhere. So unless I'm missing something, do I have a bad pressure tank??

Yep -- to check drain the pressure - then stick a guage on it -- pump up to recommended pressure (2psi below cut in) check again in a few minutes or see if air comes out of the water discharge line. Or turn off the water - drain the pressure - slap the side of the tank -- if there is water in it it is bad (not 100% accurate but close). You can also check how often the pump is cycling --- if you turn the faucet on and the pump starts running immediatly - good chance that the pressure tank is bad.

Tank is shot IMO. Replace it, pressure switch, gauge, nipples, drain(s) or hire somebody.

Chris

Replace the tank with the same size or bigger and charge it to 38psi.

Thanks for the info. Yea, when you use water, the pump pretty much cuts on to 60psi then down to 40 quickly. I'll get a new one in the AM. I believe its a 14 gallon. I am limited on size becasuse of where the tank is. If size allows, I would like to go larger.

When using small bladder tanks, you can add a second tank by simply adding a Tee elsewhere and screwing tank into it. Just match air pressure in tanks to 2 psi below cut in pressure of pump, when punp is off and water stops flowing.

One thing I do know about pressure tanks, they can be dangerous! When I was young, lightning struck and ran the water line?? Any how, pressure tank exploded. Looked as though it was filled with C-4.
My wifes cousin was a good plumber. One bitter cold day he got a call about a house having no water. Pressure tank was in an out building. Gauge was reading low. He leans over pressure tank to adjust psi switch. It does not adjust any. He keeps adjusting higher. Little did he know the gauge was bad/frozen, tank exploded, and he ended up dying from his injuries. Gentlemen, I appreciate the help you all have provided.

They also make pressure tanks for below ground installation. I just swapped one out two months ago that was 14 yrs old.

I got the new tank installed today. There was some headache, but all turned out well. I got it all hooked up only to find a drip. Took it all back apart to corre t leak. Went ahead and put a new 4 way manifold, relief valve. I got a new 60/40 low flow pressure switch, but still used the old one that is set hoe I like it. Will take the new one back. I learned after any work ALWAYS change the water filter. I guess all the sediment that got stirred up pretty much clogged it and made me pull my hair out until I figured it out. I will go with a high micron filter now. No more short cycling and pressure is nice, steady, and long. The old one had quite a bit of sediment as well as a busted bladder. But, thank you to all that replied with advice> I really appreciate the help!!!