08-14-2013, 11:55 AM
Even with bladder tanks the pressure has to be restored in the tanks periodically (6 months?). If not done it will lead to premature bladder failure. If the tanks are heavy, as in filled with water, the bladders are bad. The fact that the pump is cycling frequently also indicates a probably failed bladder, which will be followed by a failed pump if not corrected quickly.
To reset the tank pressure the pump should be turned off and if there are shut offs that can isolate the tank then shut then. The tank should then be drained. If substantial air comes out after all water is gone that's another signal the bladder is gone. With the tank empty of water, the tank air pressure should be 2 psi below what the pressure switch of the pump is set to kick on at. Use a tire gauge on the tank air fill valve to check the pressure. That is also where to add or remove air. You can replace the defective tank water pressure gauges to be able to determine if the pump is kicking on and off when you want and set the pump switch accordingly or replace the switch with one with the desired setting. Go for whatever setting (reasonable) you want, just set the pressure in the tank as previously described to correspond to the switch.
As to why you had varying pressure between the hot and cold I don't know. Assuming no pipe restrictions and they are both on the same pump, they should be the same.
Edit: I'm not sure why you would have two tanks unless due to the location there wasn't enough height for a decent size tank so they ran two in parallel. It would be cool if they were plumbed so that you could isolate them so that you could replace one while still having water in the house . Doubtful I would think but it's something I would do. It would be unusual for both bladders to fail at the same time.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
To reset the tank pressure the pump should be turned off and if there are shut offs that can isolate the tank then shut then. The tank should then be drained. If substantial air comes out after all water is gone that's another signal the bladder is gone. With the tank empty of water, the tank air pressure should be 2 psi below what the pressure switch of the pump is set to kick on at. Use a tire gauge on the tank air fill valve to check the pressure. That is also where to add or remove air. You can replace the defective tank water pressure gauges to be able to determine if the pump is kicking on and off when you want and set the pump switch accordingly or replace the switch with one with the desired setting. Go for whatever setting (reasonable) you want, just set the pressure in the tank as previously described to correspond to the switch.
As to why you had varying pressure between the hot and cold I don't know. Assuming no pipe restrictions and they are both on the same pump, they should be the same.
Edit: I'm not sure why you would have two tanks unless due to the location there wasn't enough height for a decent size tank so they ran two in parallel. It would be cool if they were plumbed so that you could isolate them so that you could replace one while still having water in the house . Doubtful I would think but it's something I would do. It would be unusual for both bladders to fail at the same time.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
S. FL
Big Islander to be.