A pressure tank stores water under air pressure so a well pump does not cycle on and off with every tap. It is the buffer between the pump and the house.
The bladder
Inside the tank, a rubber bladder separates the water from a pocket of air. mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines In Sunnyvale, the air pressure is what pushes the water out.
The fill
The pump fills the tank until the pressure reaches the cutoff setting, then stops. The stored air pushes water to the fixtures as the pressure drops.
The cycle
When the pressure falls to the start setting, the pump turns on again and refills the tank. mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines In Sunnyvale, a properly sized tank keeps the cycles short and few.
The air charge
The air side needs a specific pressure, checked with the tank empty. A lost air charge makes the pump cycle rapidly.
The waterlogging
If the bladder fails, the tank fills with water and the pump short-cycles. mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines In Sunnyvale, a waterlogged tank is a common well-system failure.
The care
Check the air charge yearly and watch the pressure gauge for cycling. mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines In Sunnyvale, a pro can diagnose the tank vs. the switch.
The call
Give the pump a healthy buffer. Call 888-217-3585 and Sunnyvale Home Plumbing Co will match you with a Sunnyvale pro for tank service.
Plumbing in Sunnyvale: what to know
In Sunnyvale, mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across San Mateo County — from Mountain View, Santa Clara and Los Altos to ZIP codes like 94085, 94086, 94089 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Sunnyvale?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Sunnyvale Home Plumbing Co will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Sunnyvale.