Pressure tank loses pressure after sitting for extended periord

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Cudos

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Hello, is it normal for a pressure tank to lose pressure if not used. We have a cabin and when we don't visit for 2 weeks then plug the pressure tank back in it turns on instantly to build pressure so it must be bleeding off somewhere in that 2 weeks.

Our water lines are all pex and I haven't seen any leaks anywhere. This doesn't happen if the tank has only been unplugged for a week, 2 weeks or more only. Can the tank itself be losing pressure somewhere.

Sorry I don't have the tank model handy.

Cheers
 

hj

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There could be many reasons, one of them being the type of tank you have. But a system under pressure WILL leak through even a miniscule opening. IF you reactivate the system soon enough, then you might not notice the drop in pressure.
 

Cudos

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Thanks hj,

Is it possible that this is a normal effect of sitting for a couple weeks, be it tank design? and should I be concerned at all, providing I don't see any water leaking anywhere.

Thanks
 

Arfeller

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I don't know very much about pressure tanks but after looking at a couple diagrams online it appears there is a pump that takes a water source and pressurizes it in an air over water tank. If this is what you have then you might have a VERY SMALL air leak on the top of the tank, maybe the pressure relief... or if there is a check valve between the tank and pump it might be leaking by back through the pump to lose pressure.

Is that possible?
 

Cudos

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Thank-You,

There is a check valve in place. I think what I will do is recheck for leaks, if none I won't sweat it providing it doesn't start kicking for no reason beyond what it is doing now.

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paulntrini

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Checking for small air leaks is simple: Grab some windex and spray the suspected areas. Even the tiniest of leaks will produce bubbles. This works well for tires as well!
 
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