The pressure tank is one of the main components of a well system, along with the pump, pressure switch and the well itself. It stores water from the well and supplies it to your home at an appropriate pressure.

How Does a Pressure Tank Work?
Your pressure tank contains two things: water (at the bottom) and compressed air (at the top). The compressed air exerts pressure on the water when you turn on a faucet, causing it to flow out of the tank and into your home’s plumbing at a uniform rate. This occurs in the following way.

Water from the well enters into the bottom of the tank through the action of the pump. As the water level rises, the air at the top of the tank is increasingly compressed. Once maximum pressure is reached (typically 50 to 60 psi), the pump shuts off. When you turn on the water in your home, the compressed air forces water out of the tank. Once the water level drops to a certain level and the air pressure in the tank hits a pre-set minimum (typically 30 to 40 psi), the pump turns back on and replenishes the tank.

What Are the Benefits?
In addition to regulating water pressure, a pressure tank gives you instant access to well water, without the need to manually turn on the pump. Moreover, it allows you to draw well water without the pump cycling on and off each time. This reduces stress on the pump and prolongs its lifespan.

What Are the Different Types of Pressure Tanks?
There are three types of pressure tanks:

• Air-over-water tanks. In these tanks, there’s no physical barrier between the water and air. The drawback to this type of pressure tank is that over time the air dissolves into the water, so it needs to be monitored and changed regularly.

• Diaphragm tanks. These tanks contain a rubber or vinyl diaphragm separating the water and air. As water enters the tank, the diaphragm stretches upward, compressing the air.

• Bladder tanks. In these tanks, the water is contained within a balloon-like bladder that expands when water is pumped into the tank, compressing the air.

Well Maintenance & Repair in Central Ontario
If you need your well system serviced, count on the team at Plumbing Medic Ltd. We inspect and repair pressure tanks, pumps and the other components of well systems. To have your well system evaluated by an experienced plumber in Orillia or the surrounding area, contact us today to request a quote.