txhmownr
New Member
I have a new 42 gallon air over water tank recently installed to replace an older galvanized one that was beginning to leak. There is no air control valve and because it is a conventional tank, no bladder or diaphragm and no valve to add air with a compressor etc. There is just an in pipe, an out pipe, and the fittings for the brass arm with the switch and air pressure gauge.
Although it is now set up for 30/50 using a control-d switch pre-set for that, I realized when disposing of the old pressure switch (which broke during removal) that it had been (for at least probably almost a decade) set at 20/40. We were never in love with that water pressure, but 30/50 is not real noticeable change.
Part of my 1 story house (and pipes) was probably built around 1992 and then greatly expanded by previous owner himself from 98 on through probably about a decade ago. I have a submersible pump (replaced 4 years ago - i think its a 3/4 or 1/2 hp, put i think 3/4 - and 10gpm) in a well probably about 100ft+ from the tank and i think i counted about 200 ft of pipe when they pulled it up to replace the pump back then.
My concern is that I have read elsewhere that increasing pressure on older pipes can cause them to leak split or break, and having had disasters of that kind in the past due to other causes, I'm not eager to experience that again. Is that really an issue in a 30 year old house?
Also, on this type of tank, to adjust the switch to lower pressure, do I need to drain it first? I have read conflicting things on this and it seems that in a bladder and pre-charged types that's normal, but on these air over water types, if I'm just lowering the pressure, can I just turn it off at the box, loosen the screw 3.5 turns. turn the power back on and open a hose spigot and watch the gauge to see if correct, close it and do that again?
Although it is now set up for 30/50 using a control-d switch pre-set for that, I realized when disposing of the old pressure switch (which broke during removal) that it had been (for at least probably almost a decade) set at 20/40. We were never in love with that water pressure, but 30/50 is not real noticeable change.
Part of my 1 story house (and pipes) was probably built around 1992 and then greatly expanded by previous owner himself from 98 on through probably about a decade ago. I have a submersible pump (replaced 4 years ago - i think its a 3/4 or 1/2 hp, put i think 3/4 - and 10gpm) in a well probably about 100ft+ from the tank and i think i counted about 200 ft of pipe when they pulled it up to replace the pump back then.
My concern is that I have read elsewhere that increasing pressure on older pipes can cause them to leak split or break, and having had disasters of that kind in the past due to other causes, I'm not eager to experience that again. Is that really an issue in a 30 year old house?
Also, on this type of tank, to adjust the switch to lower pressure, do I need to drain it first? I have read conflicting things on this and it seems that in a bladder and pre-charged types that's normal, but on these air over water types, if I'm just lowering the pressure, can I just turn it off at the box, loosen the screw 3.5 turns. turn the power back on and open a hose spigot and watch the gauge to see if correct, close it and do that again?