Pressure Tank Service That Stops Short Cycling
A waterlogged tank makes your pump switch on and off every few seconds, and that is what burns motors out. We test the air charge, replace failed bladders and size tanks correctly so the pump runs the way it should.
✓ Air charge tested ✓ Correct tank sizing ✓ Protects your pump motor
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Why it matters
A Failed Tank Is What Kills the Pump
The pressure tank does one job: it holds a cushion of compressed air so your pump can rest between draws. When the bladder fails or the air charge is lost, that cushion disappears. The pump then starts and stops every few seconds instead of running in proper cycles.
That is called short cycling, and it is the single fastest way to destroy a well pump motor. A tank costs a fraction of a pump, which is why we check it on every callout.
- Pump clicks on and off constantly — the clearest sign the tank has waterlogged.
- Pressure surges then drops while a tap runs — no air cushion left to hold steady pressure.
- The tank feels full and heavy all over — a healthy tank sounds hollow near the top.
- Water spits from the air valve — the bladder has ruptured and needs replacing.
- Rising power bill with no change in usage — the pump is restarting far more often than it should.
Left alone, a waterlogged tank will take the pump with it. Caught early, it is a straightforward job. If yours is already showing these signs, see well pump repair for what a full system test covers.
What Our Pressure Tank Service Covers
Whether the tank can be recharged or needs replacing depends on what actually failed. We test before deciding, because a tank that only lost its air charge does not need to be thrown away.
Test the air charge
Pressure read at the air valve with the system drained, then compared against the pump’s cut-in setting. This alone identifies most tank faults.
Recharge or replace
An intact tank that lost pressure gets recharged and rechecked. A ruptured bladder means the tank is finished and we quote a replacement.
Match the switch settings
Air charge set just below cut-in pressure, then flow and pressure re-tested at the tap so the pump cycles properly again.
Sizing
Getting the Tank Size Right
An undersized tank is the reason plenty of replacement tanks fail early. The tank has to give the pump a long enough run time on each cycle, and that depends on the pump’s flow rate, not on what fits the space.
- Drawdown, not total volume — what matters is how much water the tank actually delivers between cut-in and cut-out, which is far less than its stated size.
- Matched to pump flow rate — a higher output pump needs a bigger tank to get the same run time.
- Household demand — more bathrooms and appliances means more frequent draws and a stronger case for going up a size.
- Switch settings checked together — tank and pressure switch have to be set as a pair, or the new tank waterlogs again.
Pressure Tank FAQs
How do I know if my pressure tank is waterlogged?
Tap the side of the tank. A healthy tank sounds hollow near the top and solid near the bottom. If it sounds solid all the way up, or water sprays from the air valve when you press it, the bladder has failed.
What should the air pressure in my tank be?
Two PSI below the pump’s cut-in setting, measured with the system drained and no water pressure on the tank. Setting it by guesswork is a common cause of repeat failures.
Can a pressure tank be repaired or does it need replacing?
If the tank has only lost its air charge, it can be recharged and will work normally again. If the internal bladder has ruptured, the tank cannot be repaired and needs replacing.
How long does a pressure tank last?
Typically eight to twelve years. Tanks that were undersized, or set to the wrong air pressure, tend to fail considerably sooner.
Why does my pump keep turning on and off?
Almost always a waterlogged pressure tank, though a leak on the supply line can produce the same pattern. Both need attention quickly because the rapid starting is what wears the motor out.
Will a new pressure tank improve my water pressure?
It will make pressure steadier rather than higher. The actual pressure range is set by the pressure switch, so if pressure is genuinely too low the switch settings and the pump need checking too.
Pump switching on and off?
That is usually the tank, and it is doing damage every cycle. Tell us what you are hearing and we will narrow it down on the phone.