Well Pump Pressure Tank Setup: Process and Affordable Services in NJ
While most Americans get their water from city services, over 43,000,000 people get our water from private wells. Those on private wells know we are on our own and must solve our water delivery issues.
Since we don’t have a city providing our water, we need to understand the importance of a proper well pump pressure tank setup and maintenance after we install a well pump.
This article discusses pressure tank sizing, how a pressure tank works, and pressure tank setup. Read on to learn more about affordable well and pump services in New Jersey!
Pressure Tank Primer
After a well pressure pump installation is complete, a well pump pressure tank setup is needed to finish the job.
Without a pressure tank and the accompanying pressure switch, the well pump will not turn on and off when water is demanded at the spigot.
The well pump could work with just a pressure switch, but the water pressure would be irregular, and the pump would turn on and off far too often, lowering its lifespan. Also, a well pump has to run for at least a minute or two after turning on to dissipate heat. If it runs for too short a period, it will burn up quickly.
That’s where the pressure tank comes into play. The well pump fills the tank until it reaches a preset maximum pressure (PSI), and then the pressure switch shuts off electricity.
The pump won’t turn back on until the line pressure drops below the minimum preset PSI. Most systems are set to 60/40 or 50/30.
Pressure Tank Sizing
Pressure tanks come in sizes from 20 gallons to 120 gallons. That doesn’t mean they hold that rated capacity in water. A 20-gallon pressure tank at maximum pressure has less than half that volume of water.
The rest of the space on the other side of a rubber bladder is filled with air. That bladder gets compressed by water coming from the well pump, creating the water line pressure.
What Size Is Best?
Plumbers use an equation based on flow rate times runtime = draw-down capacity to determine tank size.
Standard tank sizes and water capacity at max pressure (60/40):
- 20-gallon tank — 6 gallons
- 30-gallon tank — 9 gallons
- 50-gallon tank — 14 gallons
- 85-gallon tank — 25 gallons
- 120-gallon tank — 36 gallons
One way to increase water capacity in a pressure tank is to use the lower 50/30 pressure tandem.
Well Pump Pressure Tank Setup
A plumber will work through the following steps to install a well pressure tank:
- Turn off the electricity and then remove the old tank
- Fill the new tank with air to 2 PSI less than the minimum PSI
- Install a well tee (specialized pipe made for pressure tanks)
- Install a pressure gauge onto the well tee
- Install a pressure release valve set to 70 PSI onto the well tee
- Install a pressure switch onto the well tee and attach electrical leads
- Configure the pressure switch to a pressure tandem (like 50/30 or 60/40)
- Attach incoming and outgoing water pipes
- If attaching a check valve, place it after the pressure tank, not before
A Pressure Tank With a Well Pump Is a Must-Have
A well pump without a pressure tank does not work efficiently and will likely wear out the well pump prematurely.
If you need a well pressure tank setup or well pump installation, and live in New Jersey, call Allas Plumbing and Heating. We are a New Jersey master-licensed, insured, and bonded plumbing and heating company experienced in well installation, setup, repair, and maintenance. We are affordable, quick, reliable, and at your service.
We service the northern New Jersey areas. Contact us to see if we service your area.
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