Noisy hot water tank

nickyg · Aug 28, 2006

Here is the background: I have a submerged well pump in the backyard. The well pump sends water to a small pressure tank and through the house. The pressure tank is set to 30/50.

Our entire system makes loud banging noises throughout the day, both when water is being used and also when it is not being used. The banging noises are coming from inside the hot water tank and seem to happen when the pressure is at its lowest. Right before the pump kicks on the hot water tank starts banging.... sometimes they are rapid bangs one after another. Is that my bladder bottoming out?? Is there a quick fix for this problem?

Please help, thanks in advance. I love this website!!!!!

Valveman · Aug 29, 2006

Valveman

Does sound like the bladder tank is bottoming out. You need less air in the tank than the lowest pressure you see on the gauge when using water or the pump starts.

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Speedbump · Aug 29, 2006

You could have a defective check valve also. When the spring goes bad or the oring comes out of the poppett, this can happen. Do you have a check valve by your tank?

bob...

nickyg · Aug 29, 2006

I am not sure what you mean by checkvalve. There is a bicycle type valve at the top of the tank for changing the air pressure. Do you think that is defective?? Leaking??

The previous post said that the air pressure in my tank may be too high. Now I am confused...

What can I do to fix the problem?

Speedbump · Aug 29, 2006

No a check valve is usually brass, sometimes plastic (if homeowner installed). It looks like a big coupling, will have an arrow on it somewhere pointing in the direction of your home.

bob...

nickyg · Aug 29, 2006

No I do not see a check valve anywhere. Please someone help......

Speedbump · Aug 29, 2006

Do you have a tire gauge?

If so, turn off the pump, open a faucet until the water stops, check the air pressure in the tank from that little bicycle stem on top of the tank. Then turn the pump back on and check what the turn on and off pressures are on the gauge.

bob...

nickyg · Aug 29, 2006

then what?? What should the pressure be set to??

Speedbump · Aug 29, 2006

Two pounds less than the turn on pressure of your pump.

I was actually hoping you would answer a question before asking more.

bob...

Jadnashua · Aug 29, 2006

The pressure will change when the system is operational, so you must check and adjust, if necessary, when there is no water pressure in the system - pump off, faucet opened and flow stopped (i.e., the bladder has expanded as much as it can and is no longer being affected by the stored energy from the pump). The static pressure should be 2# less than the turn-on pump pressure.

Gary Slusser · Aug 30, 2006

And if you don't drain the tank before checking, you don't get the correct *volume* of air in the tank, although you get the right air pressure. Especially if the tank is in a basement and the faucet you opened is upstairs. That (insufficient volume) is the primary cause of tank (bladder) failure. Now if you leave that faucet open... you'll probably forget it is open when you turn the water on later....

The best is to shut off the water to the house, past the tank, and drain the pressure tank. Thereby you drain the tank of crud and you should flush it at the same time...three birds, one stone; if'nyou youngins understand the phrase.

nickyg · Aug 30, 2006

what type of equipment will i need to check the air pressure in the tank? What will I need to change the pressure in the tank?

Jadnashua · Aug 30, 2006

Tire pressure gauge and a bicycle pump or a compressor. It's just like a tire valve without the rubber stem. The bladder is a big flexible bag of air.

If you happen to get water out of the valve when checking...the bladder is probably shot...you might need to replace the tank.

Noisy hot water tank

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