Our home is on a well. About a month ago our pressure tank started leaking. Some pics:
The tank is located in the basement. I am guessing it was installed in 1989, when the house was built.
Can the tank be repaired? Or do I need a new one?
In either case, is this a job I can do myself? (I am pretty handy. I have quite a few tools, and have installed copper pipe and plastic drain pipe a number of times over the years.)
Is the actual tank leaking, or is it just leaking at a fitting?
I wouldn’t try to repair a pressure vessel, but you may find you need nothing more than to take the pipe off and re-make the connection.
The fitting appears to be dry.
Do you have a manual for the tank, or can you find one online? Or just look to see if there’s a pressure relief valve somewhere, a likely and repairable cause of the leak.
No manual. I’ll check online.
There may be one on the bottom of the tank, I suppose. The tank sits on a plastic stand, so I can’t really see the bottom of it.
There won’t be much of a manual, because all it is is a balloon in a tank. Aside from physical damage, the only likely source of a leak is one of the joints.
Not a pressure tank maven but they seem to range from around 150 - 250 dollars. At that price it might be wise to simply replace one that has given 24 years of service.
I don’t believe most residential-grade pressure tanks are repairable. 20 years seems to be an average lifespan. Replace it - put in a bigger one while you’re at it. That will increase initial and short-run water pressure and take some load off the well pump.
I missed the 24yo part. Depending on minerals and chemicals in the water, there’s an excellent chance that the bladder has ruptured.
Yeah, and that’s a reason to replace it even if something else that can be leaking is fixed.
Quick test. There should be an air connector like the stem on a tire on the top of the tank. Use a screwdriver and quickly press in the valve core. If water comes out the bladder is ruptured.
Good info. Those are called Schrader valves.
The rubber diaphragm wears out eventually on these things. I replaced mine a couple of years ago; it would have been about 20 years old at the time. I think I only paid about $200 for it at the time, but I did have to also buy a pipe wrench for less than $20 I believe.
