Pressure Vessel |
When is it time to replace your hot water tank? It could be right now! Maybe the right time was 2 years ago, or maybe you’re just fine as you are.
There are 5 clear signs your water tank is on its last legs:
Water isn’t as hot as it used to be.It’s likely corrosion on the inside of your tank has deteriorated the dip tube, overloaded the gas valve or coated your electric elements. A shortage of hot water is a clear sign your tank is over the hill. The heater is leaking, but I can’t find the leak.If your tank is around 10 years old and you can’t find the leak, it’s probably coming from:
The gas pilot won’t stay lit.The problem is most likely your thermocouple or gas valve. The tip of a properly installed thermocouple should sit around half an inch inside the pilot flame. This generates the energy required to power a tiny electromagnet keeping the pilot valve open. If the thermocouple is damaged or not sitting properly, the valve won’t have enough power to stay open. You can check to see if the thermocouple is properly positioned. If it is, you may have a faulty thermocouple. If you replace the thermocouple and the pilot still goes out, your electromagnet may no longer work and you may need a new gas valve or high limit switch. If your tank is outside the warranty, replacing the gas valve isn’t worth the money. I can’t release water through the drain valve.You should drain the hot water tank at least once each year to remove sediment. If you haven’t done this, a layer of sediment can quickly become many layers of sediment, deteriorating the integrity of the bottom of the tank. The sediment acts as a buffer between the flame and the water it’s trying to heat, so the flame has to burn longer, causing damage to the tank. If your water tank is so full of sediment it doesn’t drain at all when you open the valve, there is no use trying to fix it. Time for a new tank. The hot side of the tank can’t hold pressure.Modern tanks contain a check valve on the cold inlet side of the water heater to save energy. It prevents hot water from running up the cold inlet waterline when there is a drop in pressure on the cold side. But new problems come from this.
When water is heated, it expands and has to go somewhere. With the introduction of check valves, expansion is limited. Hot water and cold water tanks can’t really support each other, and you end up with poor pressure on the hot side of the tank. A simple fix is installing a small expansion tank on the hot side. If you get short bursts of pressure when you first turn on a hot faucet, or no pressure at all, your check valve is probably stuck. The check valve is a small plastic ball in a short chamber that floats when not under pressure and is pushed out of the way when under pressure. An old tank can see scale buildup on the check valve, forcing it to stay in one position rather than moving. In this case, the scale buildup is a sign of a tank that is too far gone for repairs. When you experience these issues, consider upgrading to a tankless water heater. You’ll go without any of these frustrating, potentially costly issues, and you’ll have all the hot water you need whenever you need it. Contact pressure tank uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966
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Whether you are installing a new well or upgrading your current pressure tank, taking the time to calculate the best size of pressure tank for your well will ensure that your pump performance is optimized and sustained for as long as possible. There’s a reason that pressure tanks come in many different sizes, and it has to do with the fact that every situation is unique and demands for water pressure tanks will vary significantly based on your location, depth of well, type of pump, along with the desired usage for your water.
In order to properly evaluate the optimal size of your pressure tank, you want to be sure that the pressure tank requirements of the well are being met, as a different size will drastically alter the performance of the water delivery process. If the well has a smaller capacity, it is going to affect how a pressure tank works, but this also depends on the system requirements for end use. If the water demand needs are high, there are specific pressure tank models that are offered in order to ensure that that the water delivery and output is maximized even with a well or pump that isn’t necessarily designed for high output. Most pressure tanks are evaluated by their draw-down capacity, which is how much water can be kept in the tank before the pressure is at a point low enough to turn the pump on again. Naturally, the larger the pressure tank is in size, the more water it can hold without re-engaging on the pump. This means that peak system demands will largely depend on usage needs to ensure that your pump, electric motor and pressure tank are not in overdrive to meet your demands. The proper calculation for a pressure tank size is primarily based on the water pump’s GPM (gallon per minute) capacity, which is provided by the manufacturers based on size. With this information in mind, it is easy to check with your pressure tank supplier to ensure that you are selecting one which meets not only your pump performance, but also your operational needs. Properly sizing a water pressure tank ensures that the run time on the water pump is kept at a minimum. A larger pressure tank can often be a good way to extend the life of your pump and electric motor, provided that you have enough space to accommodate a larger tank and where the flooring can hold the additional weight. We carry pre-pressurized water tanks, like wates pressure vessel supplier in dubai, which are widely considered to be the industry standard, and they have an online calculator to help you determine the proper sizing. Contact us if you have questions about why we stand behind the Well-Rite brand or if you need some advice on selecting the best water tank for your application. If you’re one of the lucky home owners with a privately-owned well system providing water to your house, there are some things to know about your well pressure tank. Over the years, several different styles of tanks have been introduced and improved upon. It’s possible that you own an outdated model or that your tank is exhibiting the signs of imminent failure. As a water pump repair in dubai, we repair and service well pressure tanks all the time and are always happy to explain to you what kind of tank you have and what could be wrong with it.
What is a Well Pressure Tank?For homeowners without city-regulated water services, a well is necessary in order to get running water in the house. A well pump, either submersible or a jet well pump, is used to deliver the water from the well to the plumbing fixtures inside your home. A well pump is connected to a well pressure tank, which acts as a reservoir to store the water that will be distributed throughout a home. As you might have guessed for the name, the well tank is pressurized with compressed air. This not only plays a role in the overall water pressure you get in your home, but also helps signal the pump when the water level gets too low and it’s time to refill. There are 3 different types of well pressure tanks depending on the type of mechanism they use to control the pressure. Air-Over-Water Pressure TanksAn air-over-water tank is usually made of galvanized metal with a fairly simple design. It’s often found in older homes and is not as popular today as other types of pressure tanks. As the name suggests, an air-over-water tank consists of a single chamber filled with water and pressurized air—nothing separates the two. The pressurized air pushes on the water, providing the necessary pressure for your home’s faucets. These tanks are generally larger than most modern models, yet have a capacity similar to much smaller tanks. This disparity in size and capacity of the tank may cause the well pump to cycle on and off more frequently, which may lead to premature pump burn-out. The single chamber design of these tanks also makes them prone to becoming water-logged due to air loss trough pin-hole corrosion. Diaphragm Pressure TanksDiaphragm pressure tanks consist of two separate chambers: one for compressed air and another for water. A rubber diaphragm is permanently attached to the sides of the tank to separate water from air. It rises and falls with the water level. As water is pumped into the tank, the diaphragm is pushed up to the compressed air chamber which then triggers a sensor to shut off the pump. While efficient, these tanks can have problems with the diaphragm coming dislodged from the sides of the tank, causing water to flow into the compressed air chamber and preventing any pressure from building. If this happens, you will experience a drastic decrease in water pressure and your tank will need to be replaced. Some homeowners have also noted issues with the diaphragm folding over itself and causing false readings by the pump, burning out the pump and ruining the tank. Bladder Pressure TanksSimilar to diaphragm pressure tanks, bladder pressure tanks utilize two separate chambers for compressed air and water. The bladder is sort of a balloon filled with water that expands and contracts, triggering a sensor to activate the pump. Bladders, being self-contained entities, are useful for those worried about a diaphragm dislodging or folding under the pressure of compressed air. A bladder also generally lasts longer than a diaphragm, making your investment over time much more sensible. Things to Consider For Your Well TankGetting an appropriately sized tank is essential to having constant water pressure throughout your entire home. A small tank will likely cause your pump to cycle on and off more frequently, which could result in premature wear or a need for total replacement. A tank that is too large for your home could cause the water to stagnate and develop an odd taste or other adverse effects. Luckily, we’re here to help you buy and maintain the right well tank for your need. For more info contact pressure vessel supplier in dubai or call us: +971 4 252 2966 A brief introduction to water tanks
Water bladder tanks are tanks which have a rubber bladder in them. The bladder is filled with water or filled with air as the case may be but as expected, a water bladder tank will definitely be filled with water. As soon as a toilet or sink knob is turned on, water is pumped from the water tank. When the water and air pressure gets low, the pressure switch’s contact locks. The pressure switch then conveys an electrical current to the water pump which will end up causing the water pump to start and pump water back into the water bladder tank. The length of time it will take for the pressure switch to lock on depends on the size of the water bladder tank. If the water bladder tank is large in size, it will definitely take time for the electrical current from the pressure switch to get to the water pump. Mechanism of Water Bladder Tanks When water is used in the home, or a compound generally, water is going to leave the water bladder tank. As water is being dispensed from the tank, the bladder will reduce in size and the water pressure within the tank will drop significantly. It is also important to point out that water bladder tanks contain air. As the water in the tank goes down, the air pressure will go down too. The pressure control switch, normally sited close to the tank, detects the drop in pressure within the tank. When the pressure drops to a certain level, the pressure switch’s contacts swiftly close together. This leads to the water pump getting switched on. The activated water pump then draws water from the well. At this point, the tank is refilled and water and air pressure within the tank is also restored back to normal. How does the Water Bladder Tank Get Refilled? As soon as the pressure switch is activated, the water pump which is normally found near the tank or inside the well immediately pulls water from below the ground back into the tank’s bladder. When the water bladder gets filled, water and air pressure goes back to normal levels. When the both of them have gone back to normal, the contacts on the pressure switch are pulled away from each other. With the relaxation of the pressure switch, water will immediately stop getting pumped into the tank. The whole process outlined above is what plays out as soon as water is used in the home. If you are looking to setup a bladder water tank in your home or factory do your best to ensure that it is purchased from a reputable shop and installed by them, or a licensed plumber. A wrongly installed bladder tank will cost unnecessary money to replace and so it is very important to get it right the first time. It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to buy from trusted dealers. For more info contact Pressure Vessel Supplier in Dubai or Call us at +971 4 252 2966. Is an expansion tank required?Private, older public, and some other water distribution systems may not require an expansion tank to be installed. This is because these systems may be considered “open”, since they lack pressure regulators and/or backflow preventers. Plumbing code changes intended to prevent the contamination of the public water supplies, have made backflow prevention a requirement in most current new builds. While this may be a good change for the water supply, it can be a damaging change to your plumbing system.
Before pressure reducing valves and backflow preventers were used, any excess pressure in your system could easily spread back into the water distribution system. This meant any thermal expansion of the water caused by your domestic hot water (DHW) system, could easily be dissipated back through the distribution system. Now that backflow prevention is required, your plumbing system has become a “closed” system, and a new way must be employed to prevent over pressurization. This is where expansion tanks come in. Expansion tanks are used to absorb any excess pressure created due to thermal expansion, which prevents an over pressurization of the system. In any situation where water in a “closed system” is heated, an expansion tank is required. Symptoms of an over pressurized systemHigh pressure in a plumbing system can damage any fixture connected to the system, including faucets, taps, toilets, washing machines, dish washers, water heaters, etc. It can also lead to leaks, running toilets, difficult to operate faucets and taps, and even burst pipes. A frequent symptom of an over pressurized system, is a sudden surge of water when a faucet is turned on. The surge will quickly dissipate, and won’t return even if you close and reopen the valve. If the over pressurization is caused by thermal expansion, you may only notice symptoms occasionally and seemingly randomly. This is because the pressure in the system increases when the water heater is heating, and all fixtures are closed. The pressure diminishes when any fixture is opened, or as the water cools. The problem may only be observed when the system pressure is at its highest, which may only be on rare occasions. What is an expansion tank?An expansion tank physically resembles a small propane tank. Normally the tank will be completely filled with air, and the diaphragm will be pressing against the water inlet. As the water pressure increases, it compresses the lower pressure air in the tank, and the tank fills with water. When the system water pressure decreases, the air pressure forces the water out of the tank, and back into the pipes. How do I install an expansion tank? Expansion tanks are installed on the cold water supply of a domestic hot water tank, or boiler. The installation process is fairly easy, usually only requiring a tee fitting to be added to the water line. PositioningThe first step in installing an expansion tank, is to decide where you want it. We already know that the tank must be installed between the cold water shut off, and the water heater inlet. So we know where it has to connect to the system, but we still have to decide where the tank itself will sit. Up, Down, Left, or Right? Most tanks can be installed in any orientation, though there are advantages to some positions. For example. If you install the tank vertically with the air side up, and the tanks bladder ever fails. The tank may continue to function (though at a reduced capacity), until the air escapes from the tank. Whereas, if the tank was installed with the air side down, and the bladder failed. The air would immediately move to the top of the tank, and the tank would fill completely with water. Support While most smaller tanks can be supported by the plumbing itself, it can be a good idea to support the tank by other means. Water weighs about 8.34 lbs/gallon, which means even a properly functioning tank can weigh quite a bit. Lets look at an example tank.
2.5 gallons * 8.35 lbs/gal. + 8 lbs = 28.875 lbs.Maximum Failure Weight: 4.4 gallons * 8.35 lbs/gal. + 8 lbs = 44.74 lbs.Even when the tank is in working order and fills to maximum capacity, you could end up with almost 29 lbs hanging from your pipes. Because of this, it may be a good idea to attach the tank to a nearby structural member. This can be easily accomplished, using straps and/or brackets designed for this purpose. InstallationNow that we’ve decided where the tank will connect to the plumbing, and where the tank will spend the rest of its life. It’s time to start the actual installation. Turn off the water The first thing you’ll have to do is to figure out how to turn off the water heater/boiler, and then actually turn it off. Next you’ll have to locate the cold water supply shutoff valve, and turn the valve to the closed (off) position. Finally, turn on (open) the lowest hot water tap in the house. This will release any built up pressure, and prevent water from spraying out when you cut the pipe in the next step. Mark and cut the pipe Use the tee as a guide, and mark the pipe where you’ll be installing the tee. Cut the pipe at your marks, using a pipe cutter. Check the system pressure At this point you’ll want to close the faucet you opened, and open the shutoff valves (make sure you cap the extension pipe, or close the valve on the extension, or you’ll have water everywhere). Turn on all the hot water fixtures in the house until water flows normally (no sputtering), to insure the system is filled and at full pressure. Check for, and repair leaks. Attach a pressure gauge to any part of your plumbing system. Some gauges contain threads for a garden faucet, or you can attach one to the extension where the expansion tank will be installed. Once the gauge is attached, open the valve to get a reading on the gauge. Note the pressure. If the pressure is not within the normal range of 40 – 80 psi, you’ll have to take steps to correct it (which is not covered in this article). Pre-pressurize the tank Most expansion tanks come pressurized to 12 – 40 psi, but before you install the tank you have to match the system pressure. Start by removing the protective cover from the air valve on the tank. Use a tire gauge to check the pressure. Use a bicycle pump, or compressor, to fill the tank to match the system pressure you noted earlier. Mount the tank Attach the tank to the plumbing, and mount it using your straps and/or brackets. Turn everything on, and check for/repair any leaks. Stand back and revel in your success. MaintenanceYou can quickly verify the tank is working at any time, with a simple tap. When you tap on the air side of the tank, you should hear a hollow sounding dong. If you hear a solid sounding thud, the tank has failed, and is filled with water. In this case, the tank will have to be replaced. Check the tank pressure Once a year (see owners manual for schedule) or so, the air pressure in the tank should be checked. To do this, you’ll have to isolate the tank from the water systems pressure (Once again the extra valve and spigot come in handy). As before, you’ll have to shut off, open, close, or disconnect things until there is no pressure on the water side of the tank. Once you’ve accomplished that, use a tire gauge to check the air pressure. Add/remove air as needed. Repressurize the water system, and you’re good for another year. For more info contact pressure tank uae or call us at +971 4 252 2966 Despite a wide range of technological updates in recent decades, water wells still hold an antiquated place in many people's minds. They picture creaky wheels and laborious hand pumps. Yet most modern wells actually come equipped with electric pumps, designed automatically carry water up into a receptacle known as the pressure tank.
If your property contains a well with a pressure tank, it behooves you to understand as much about it as you can. This will help to prevent the likelihood of problems occurring down the line. This article will increase your overall knowledge of pump mechanics by discussing the role played by the pressure tank, as well as the problems it may face as time goes on. Pressure Tanks The most common misconception about residential water wells involves the assumption that water comes straight up from the well to the plumbing fixtures of their home. If this was the case, however, it would result in an abysmally low degree of water pressure. Each time you turned on a tap you would likely be greeted with no more than a literal trickle. A pressure tank allows your well to deliver the same sort of water pressure as you would get from a municipal system. As you can probably guess, the pressure tank acts to increase the pressure of the well water, which has very little pressure in its natural reservoir. Most pressure tanks are designed to deliver a water pressure of between 40 and 60 psi, depending on the specifics of your system, and your particular desires. The Pressure Switch Every pressure tank contains a critical internal component known as a pressure switch. The pressure switch acts to ensure that the pressure within the tank remains within acceptable limits. As water flows out of a pressure tank to the fixtures of a house, the pressure inside of the tank will correspondingly go down. When the pressure reaches its lower threshold, the pressure switch activates. This causes the pump to come on, bringing more water into the tank. As this water flows in, the tank's pressure will rise back up into the correct range. Without a pressure switch, your water pressure would grow lower and lower until it barely flowed out of your fixtures at all. A Guide to Well Pump Pressure TanksDespite a wide range of technological updates in recent decades, water wells still hold an antiquated place in many people's minds. They picture creaky wheels and laborious hand pumps. Yet most modern wells actually come equipped with electric pumps, designed automatically carry water up into a receptacle known as the pressure tank. If your property contains a well with a pressure tank, it behooves you to understand as much about it as you can. This will help to prevent the likelihood of problems occurring down the line. This article will increase your overall knowledge of pump mechanics by discussing the role played by the pressure tank, as well as the problems it may face as time goes on. Pressure Tanks The most common misconception about residential water wells involves the assumption that water comes straight up from the well to the plumbing fixtures of their home. If this was the case, however, it would result in an abysmally low degree of water pressure. Each time you turned on a tap you would likely be greeted with no more than a literal trickle. A pressure tank allows your well to deliver the same sort of water pressure as you would get from a municipal system. As you can probably guess, the pressure tank acts to increase the pressure of the well water, which has very little pressure in its natural reservoir. Most pressure tanks are designed to deliver a water pressure of between 40 and 60 psi, depending on the specifics of your system, and your particular desires. The Pressure Switch Every pressure tank contains a critical internal component known as a pressure switch. The pressure switch acts to ensure that the pressure within the tank remains within acceptable limits. As water flows out of a pressure tank to the fixtures of a house, the pressure inside of the tank will correspondingly go down. When the pressure reaches its lower threshold, the pressure switch activates. This causes the pump to come on, bringing more water into the tank. As this water flows in, the tank's pressure will rise back up into the correct range. Without a pressure switch, your water pressure would grow lower and lower until it barely flowed out of your fixtures at all. Pressure Tank Problems Well pressure tanks often develop problems as time goes on, often resulting in less than optimal pressure inside of your home. A large number of such problems tie back to issues with the pressure switch. If the switch cannot accurately gauge the tank's pressure, it will not come on. This in turn will prevent new water from flowing into the tank. Oftentimes the problem involves sediment that has clogged up the pressure switch orifice. This effectively blocks the switch from reading or responding to the tank pressure. A professional can often resolve the problem by cleaning out the pressure switch orifice. If this does not yield the desired results, however, it may be the case that the switch has burned out. A pump technician can verify this hypothesis through the use of a non-contact voltage tester. This will tell them whether the switch remains capable of conducting electrical impulses. If not, a new switch must be installed. If, on the other hand, the pressure switch still conducts electricity, the problem may have to do with the setting of the nut that controls the trigger threshold. By adjusting this nut, a technician can often restore proper functionality. Should this still not correct the problem, some internal component in the switch has likely become irreparably damaged. The solution in that case will be to install a new pressure switch. For more information about how to keep your well pump running strong, please don't hesitate to contact the professionals at pressure vessel supplier in dubai. If you own a home that has a private well for drinking water, it is to your benefit to learn how a well water system works. While most water well systems will last for many years, knowing what the components do can help you troubleshoot if a problem does arise. Water Well Pumps After a well is drilled, a water pump is installed along the well casing to push or lift water from below the ground into your home. It is placed below the water level within the well so that it will not be affected by any water drawdown or periods of drought. The size of this pump is determined by the size of your home, the number of plumbing fixtures, and peak water demands. A typical water pump for domestic use can usually pump 10 gallons per minute out of the well using a ½ horsepower motor. Some homes that use a significant amount of water for irrigation, a home business or feeding animals may need a larger pump. Jet pumps, which can be located above ground, are sometimes used in shallow wells that are 4 inches in diameter or less. But submersible pumps are most often used in wells today and is likely the type of pump in your home. Submersible pumps know when to turn on when the pressure within the home’s water system drops below a certain level. The pump then lifts water into the home until the default pressure is restored. But what controls the water pressure? Water Well Pressure Tanks As water is pumped from the well into the pressure tank, it compresses the air in the tank until it reaches a preset level, typically the 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi). When someone turns on a faucet, air pressure in the tank forces water throughout the plumbing until the pressure drops to the preset trigger pressure, usually the 20 to 40 psi. That tells the water pump to turn on, and water is then drawn into the house and tank. When the faucet is shut off, pressure builds until it is restored to its default shut-off level. The amount of water delivered by the pressure tank between the time the pump shuts down and the time it starts again is called the drawdown. Pressure tank size and the drawdown will depend on the amount of water the pump can draw into the home in 1 to 2 minutes. Some tanks hold as little as 10 gallons, others more than 200 gallons. The most common size of pressure tanks in residential homes hold about 44 gallons and have a drawdown of about 16 gallons. If your home uses more than the average amount of water or has a well with a low yield, a larger pressure tank may be needed. Possible Pressure Tank Problems A pressure tank is important because it keeps water pressure at a constant level. It also keeps the water and air separated. Without these features the water pump would turn on and off quickly – a problem caused cycling – which can quickly burn out the pump motor. If your well has a submersible pump, it can be difficult to tell whether the pump is running or not. These pumps often have a relay switch that will click on and off when it is trying to activate the pump, and you can listen for that click. Some models even have a relay switch light that will tell you when the relay is turning on the pump. There is, of course, the chance that there is a problem with the electrical relay system. This will require a professional to determine if that’s the cause. If you think there is a problem with your well pump or pressure tank, pressure vessel supplier in dubai can help you determine the problem, find the best way to fix it and do the repair. We have been fixing home water systems for more than years. Call Us at +971 4 252 2966 |
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Al Qusais Industrial Area 1, Dubai, UAE P.O.Box 12940 Mob: +971 56 329 5097 Tel: +971 4 252 2966 Email: sales@dxbsolutions.ae |