Air in Pressure Tank

[Johnnyf0614]

I've had my pressure tank for about 3 years now. In the beginning I maintained it by checking air etc, however I haven't checked it in at least a year or so... A few months ago I did some plumbing work on lines after the pressure tank. I happened to check my air pressure today and it was in the low 20's instead of being around 38. My cut in is 40psi. Would lack of air pressure be due to the plumbing work I had done? I've since added air pressure back to 38, and will monitor to see if it holds, but just curious if I may potentially have a problem.

 

[Boycedrilling]

I like to make the comparison of a precharged pressure tank to tires on a car. Do tires hold their air pressure forever? No, they have to be periodically checked. Same is true of a precharged pressure tank. I had one customer tell me "I thought this pressure tank was guaranteed for 5 years". I looked at him and said "the tires on your car there have a mileage guarantee. Does that mean the guarantee is good if you don't ever check the air pressure and run them flat"?

If you change the oil in your car, does it change the air pressure in your tires? No, but that's probably when the tire pressure gets checked.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

What is important is how the air gets out. If the air just leaks though the Schrader valve stem or just through the wall of the tank, filling it back up with air will get you back to going. But if the air leaks out because the bladder is broken, you are going to need a new tank already.

 

[Johnnyf0614]

What is important is how the air gets out. If the air just leaks though the Schrader valve stem or just through the wall of the tank, filling it back up with air will get you back to going. But if the air leaks out because the bladder is broken, you are going to need a new tank already.

I have not been experience changes in water pressure. And when pressing the valve, no water was released, only air. I'll monitor the air pressure in the next couple of day to see if any air has released further. I just happened to check today and saw it was in the low 20's. I just wasn't sure if its somewhat normal to go from 38 to the low 20's in a span of a few years

 

[Reach4]

I just wasn't sure if its somewhat normal to go from 38 to the low 20's in a span of a few years

That seems excessive to me, but I have limited experience. I would check the valve to see if that slowly bubbles. Got somebody around who might have released some air, perhaps out of curiosity?

Note that checking the air releases a little air. psst.