How To Drain My Well Pressure Tank

Shut off the main shutoff valve.

How to drain my well pressure tank.

Water in a tank left in a dwelling without heat over the winter can damage the pressure bladder or in extreme situations even cause the tank to rupture. If you believe your well pressure tank is experiencing a loss of pressure it s important to drain the tank and check the system s integrity immediately. Open the drain valve and allow the pressure tank to drain completely. Scrub the calcium deposits off the pressure tank and pipes.

There are two types of pressure tanks. Bleed air pressure out of the water tank or add air pressure into the water tank until the tank pressure is at the desired set pressure. If you have a well you probably have a pressure tank somewhere near it. Wipe out the inside of the well pressure tank with a rag.

Any filtration equipment softener iron filter reverse osmosis system other should be by passed or turned off as draining the tank may cause sediment in the pipes or tank to be disturbed. For example if your well pump pressure control switch is set to cut in start pumping water from the well at 30 psi then set the pressure tank to 30 2 28 psi. Connect a garden hose to the boiler drain or hose bib at the bottom of the well tank. Hydro pneumatic ones with a single compartment containing both air and water.

Drain the water pressure by turning off the electric to the pump and opening the drain faucet on the tank. The air pressure on an empty tank should be 2 psi below the pump s cut in pressure. If you can not remove some of the build ups use a piece of steel wool. One of the most important tasks in colder climates is winterizing your well s pressure tank.

Step 7 replace air regulator. Step 6 replace access hatch. As its name implies the purpose of the pressure tank is to keep water pressurized to avoid the need for the pump to cycle on whenever your turn on a faucet. Remove the cover from the pressure valve located on top of the tank and check the tank s bladder pressure with a tire pressure gauge.

Turn the well pump off at the breaker or pump control switch typically a switch located near the tank. Run the hose to the outdoors. Turn off the power to the well pump.