Your well pump won’t stop cycling. Your water pressure feels unpredictable. Showers surge, faucets weaken, and the system never seems to stay stable for long. What starts as a minor inconvenience quickly turns into daily frustration – noisy pump activity, longer fill times for appliances, and the constant worry that something expensive is about to fail.
Left unaddressed, these symptoms put serious strain on your well pump and plumbing system. Every unnecessary pump cycle increases wear, shortens equipment life, and raises the risk of sudden breakdowns that can leave your home without water – and with repair bills far higher than they should be.
In many homes, the real source of these problems isn’t the pump at all. It’s a failing pressure tank – a component designed to stabilize water pressure, reduce pump cycling, and protect your entire well system. Understanding how pressure tank problems develop is the first step to restoring reliable water pressure and preventing avoidable damage.
The Most Common Pressure Tank Problems
1. Waterlogged Tank (The #1 Issue)
A waterlogged pressure tank is by far the most frequently reported problem among homeowners. This happens when the internal bladder or diaphragm fails, allowing water to fill the entire tank instead of maintaining the crucial air cushion. When this occurs, your well pump has to work overtime, turning on every time you open a faucet—even just to wash your hands.
Signs your tank is waterlogged:
- Pump runs constantly or cycles rapidly
- You only get 1-2 gallons of water before the pump kicks on
- Pressure gauge needle bounces erratically
- Water comes out when you check the air valve
- Water pressure surges or pulses while fixtures are running (water “breathes,” sputters, or cycles between strong and weak flow)
- Banging, knocking, or vibrating noises coming from the tank or nearby pipes.
This isn’t just annoying. It can actually damage or prematurely wear out your well pump, which is a much more expensive repair.
2. Failed Internal Bladder
Modern pressure tanks use a rubber bladder to separate the air chamber from the water. Over time, this bladder naturally degrades and can rupture. When it fails, the tank loses its ability to properly store water under pressure. Many homeowners report that their tank “feels empty” even when water is flowing, or that they’re getting far less usable water than their tank size should provide.
3. Incorrect Air Pressure
The air pressure in your tank should typically be set about 2 PSI below your pressure switch’s cut-in setting (usually around 28-30 PSI for a standard 30/50 switch). When the air pressure is too low, you’ll experience short-cycling. When it’s too high, your tank won’t hold much water. This is actually one of the easier fixes—simply checking and adjusting the air pressure with a tire gauge can sometimes solve the problem.
4. Pressure Switch Malfunctions
While technically separate from the tank itself, a faulty pressure switch often gets blamed on the tank. The switch tells your pump when to turn on and off based on pressure readings. When it fails, your pump might not start at all, or it might run continuously. Homeowners often find themselves troubleshooting whether the issue is the tank, the switch, or both.
5. Tank Age and Corrosion
Older steel tanks are prone to rust, especially at the bottom and seams. If you see water pooling around your tank’s base or notice rust stains, the tank itself may be failing. Most pressure tanks last between 5-15 years depending on water quality and usage patterns.
The Diagnostic Challenge
One of the most common frustrations homeowners share is figuring out where the problem actually lies. Is it the tank? The pump? The pressure switch? A leak somewhere in the system? Even sediment buildup in filters or water softeners can affect how your pressure system behaves.
Start with these simple checks:
- Check and set the air charge correctly:
Turn off the pump, drain all water from the tank, then use a tire gauge on the tank’s air valve. The air pressure should be 2 PSI below your pressure switch cut-in setting (for example, 28 PSI for a 30/50 switch). Adjust with an air compressor if needed
- Replace the pressure gauge. It’s cheap and often faulty
- Check for obvious leaks in your plumbing
- Listen to when and how often your pump cycles
Real-World Impact
Homeowners consistently report that pressure tank problems aren’t just technical issues. They affect daily life. Inconsistent water pressure makes showers frustrating, causes washing machines to take forever to fill, and can even impact appliances. Plus, the constant sound of a cycling pump can be surprisingly disruptive, especially at night.
Many people also discover that what seemed like a minor annoyance was actually causing serious stress on their well pump. Replacing a $150-300 pressure tank is much cheaper than replacing a well pump that’s been short-cycling for months.
When to Call a Professional
While checking air pressure is a straightforward DIY task, diagnosing and replacing pressure tanks often requires professional expertise. You need to:
- Properly size the replacement tank for your household
- Ensure the pressure switch is correctly calibrated
- Check for underlying issues that caused the failure
- Install the tank with proper connections and support
Getting it wrong can mean repeated problems or even damage to your well system.
Get Your Pressure Tank Fixed Right
If you’re dealing with pressure tank issues in Southwest Washington, Cascade Northwest Plumbing has the expertise to diagnose and fix the problem quickly. Whether your tank is waterlogged, your bladder has failed, or you’re experiencing mysterious pressure issues, our experienced technicians can identify the root cause and provide lasting solutions.
We serve homeowners throughout Vancouver, WA, Hazel Dell, Longview, Woodland, Camas and surrounding communities with professional pressure tank repair and replacement services. Don’t let a failing pressure tank damage your well pump or disrupt your household. Contact Cascade Northwest Plumbing today for reliable, expert service you can trust.