Pressure Tanks & Constant-Pressure Systems in Utah
The pressure tank is the least exciting part of a well system and the one most likely to be quietly wearing out your pump. Langford Drilling sizes, installs, and repairs well pressure tanks and constant-pressure systems across Southern and Central Utah.
Langford Drilling holds Utah Division of Water Rights license #969 as both a Well Driller and a Pump Installer, and is bonded and insured. Call 435-233-8954.
What the Tank Actually Does
A bladder tank holds a cushion of compressed air above a rubber bladder. When the pump runs, water squeezes that air; when you open a tap, the air pushes water back out. The tank isn't there to store water. It is there so the pump doesn't start every time someone washes their hands.
That matters because pump motors wear out from starting far more than from running. A motor that starts a dozen times an hour instead of a couple won't last.
Short Cycling: The Symptom Worth Knowing
If your pump clicks on and off every few seconds while water runs, the tank has most likely lost its air: the bladder failed and the tank filled with water. Tap the side. A healthy tank sounds hollow near the top and solid near the bottom. One that sounds solid all the way up is waterlogged.
Sometimes it is just the air charge. The tank's air pressure should sit about 2 psi below the pressure where the pump turns on. On a 40/60 system that is 38 psi, measured at the air valve with the pump off and the tank drained. Tanks slowly lose air over the years, and checking it is a quick job.
If the bladder has ruptured, the tank gets replaced. That is usually a far smaller job than a new pump, and doing it promptly can save the pump.
Getting the Size Right
Tank size follows the pump's flow rate and the minimum time the motor needs to run each cycle. Bigger pumps need bigger tanks, not smaller ones. A common mistake is a tank that suited the original pump and was never revisited when the pump was upsized, or a tank chosen to fit the space instead of the system.
Standard or Constant Pressure
Standard system
Cycles between two settings, usually 40 and 60 psi. Simple, proven, and inexpensive to install and repair. You feel the pressure change in the shower when the pump kicks on.
Constant-pressure system
A variable-speed drive matches pump speed to demand and holds one steady pressure. More up front, and it adds electronics. It earns its keep on properties with irrigation, long runs from well to house, a big elevation change, or several fixtures running at once.
Most single-family homes are fine on a standard system. Add irrigation or a hill and constant pressure starts to make sense.
Cost depends on tank size, whether the switch and fittings need replacing, and for constant pressure, the drive and any electrical work. Call 435-233-8954 for a free estimate.
Where We Work
We install and repair pressure tanks across Iron, Washington, Beaver, Kane, Garfield, Piute, Wayne, Millard, Sevier, Sanpete, and Juab counties, from our base in Cedar City. Find your city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a well pressure tank last?
Commonly around 5 to 15 years. Keeping the air charge correct helps it last; running it waterlogged shortens its life and wears out the pump too.
Can I check the tank's air pressure myself?
Yes. Turn off the pump breaker, drain the tank through a faucet, and check the air valve on the tank with a tire gauge. It should read about 2 psi below the pressure where your pump turns on. If it reads zero, or water comes out of the valve, the bladder has failed.
Will a bigger pressure tank give me better water pressure?
No. Tank size controls how often the pump starts, not how hard it pushes. Pressure comes from the pressure switch setting and the pump.
My pump is short cycling. Do I need a new pump?
Usually not. Start with the pressure tank. Replacing the pump without fixing the tank buys a new pump that will wear out the same way.
How much does a pressure tank replacement cost?
It depends on the tank size, whether the switch and fittings need replacing, and whether you're converting to constant pressure. Call 435-233-8954 for a free estimate.
Contact Langford Drilling
Call 435-233-8954 or email langforddrilling@gmail.com for a free water-well drilling estimate. Headquartered at 5413 North 4200 West, Cedar City, Utah 84721. Serving Iron, Washington, Beaver, Kane, Garfield, Piute, Wayne, Millard, Sevier, Sanpete, and Juab counties.