cpez
New Member
I own a small home in northern Mexico. The pressure for the water system is regulated by a small hydropneumatic tank with an internal diaphragm. The tank sits outside in our back yard and is no bigger than a large cooler you would take to a sporting event
The tank was recently repaired due to a leak. While in use, the diaphragm was punctured by a rough/sharp internal piece. The water released into the tank from the diaphragm caused some rusting inside the tank and even rusted through some kind of metal end cap, resulting in a small pressurized leak. This is how we noticed the problem - a tiny hole with water spraying out the side into our dusty back yard!
The 1.5 year old unit is under a 3 year warranty so we had a repair man come out and replace the diaphragm, sand down the rough/sharp internal piece that caused the diaphragm tear, and replace the compromised metal end cap. He also sanded the inside of the tank to get rid of most of the rust but did not recommend we replace the tank at this time since it's operational and still under warranty.
Two questions for the forum:
1) What is the effect of rust on this closed system? Will we see a decrease in the life of the unit because of it? Should we replace the tank now knowing it's rusted (although not badly) while we're still covered by the 1.5 years left on the warranty? (Note that we will have tenants at this property within the next month and would rather the system not fail when we're back in the US!)
2) The tank sits in open air (arid, high dessert climate, dusty, high temperatures) in our back yard close to the back wall of the house. Most folks we've spoken with in Mexico recommend installing a small "roof" to cover the unit, leaving it open on the sides. Should we consider a more protective and enclosed covering in order to better preserve the unit from wind/dust/rain (although it only rains about 4 times a year)? Or would an totally enclosed structure get too hot in the strong afternoon sun?
Gracias for your thoughts/advice!
The tank was recently repaired due to a leak. While in use, the diaphragm was punctured by a rough/sharp internal piece. The water released into the tank from the diaphragm caused some rusting inside the tank and even rusted through some kind of metal end cap, resulting in a small pressurized leak. This is how we noticed the problem - a tiny hole with water spraying out the side into our dusty back yard!
The 1.5 year old unit is under a 3 year warranty so we had a repair man come out and replace the diaphragm, sand down the rough/sharp internal piece that caused the diaphragm tear, and replace the compromised metal end cap. He also sanded the inside of the tank to get rid of most of the rust but did not recommend we replace the tank at this time since it's operational and still under warranty.
Two questions for the forum:
1) What is the effect of rust on this closed system? Will we see a decrease in the life of the unit because of it? Should we replace the tank now knowing it's rusted (although not badly) while we're still covered by the 1.5 years left on the warranty? (Note that we will have tenants at this property within the next month and would rather the system not fail when we're back in the US!)
2) The tank sits in open air (arid, high dessert climate, dusty, high temperatures) in our back yard close to the back wall of the house. Most folks we've spoken with in Mexico recommend installing a small "roof" to cover the unit, leaving it open on the sides. Should we consider a more protective and enclosed covering in order to better preserve the unit from wind/dust/rain (although it only rains about 4 times a year)? Or would an totally enclosed structure get too hot in the strong afternoon sun?
Gracias for your thoughts/advice!