When should a well pressure tank be replaced?

A well pressure tank should be replaced when it no longer holds proper pressure, short-cycles the pump, shows signs of waterlogging or leaks, or fails after the bladder and fittings have already been checked.

Signs it may be time to replace a well pressure tank

A pressure tank is supposed to smooth out water demand and reduce pump starts. When it stops doing that job, the whole well system works harder than it should. In Central Florida, we often see customers notice the problem first as weak water pressure, rapid pump cycling, or pressure that swings all over the place.

Common signs include:

• Pump turning on and off too often
• Pressure drops quickly when water is running
• Waterlogged tank
• Visible rust, corrosion, or leaks
• Air sputtering at fixtures
• Pressure switch chattering or wearing out repeatedly

If you’re seeing one or more of these issues, it may be time to have the tank checked by a professional. We handle pump repair and installation for residential, irrigation, and commercial systems, and we can tell whether the tank is the problem or whether something else in the system needs attention.

Replace well pressure tank or repair it?

Not every pressure problem means the tank has failed completely. Sometimes the issue is a bad pressure switch, a failed tank bladder, a waterlogged tank, or a pump problem that looks like a tank problem at first.

Here’s how we usually sort it out:

When repair may still make sense

A tank might still be worth repairing if:

• The tank shell is still sound
• The problem is isolated to a fitting or switch
• The bladder can still be serviced
• The system is otherwise in good shape

When replacement is the better call

Replacement is usually the better option when:

• The tank has internal corrosion
• The bladder has failed and the tank is aging
• The shell is rusted or leaking
• The tank has already caused repeated pump wear
• The cost of repair is close to the cost of a new tank

We install new pressure tanks as part of pump repair and installation, and new pump and tank installations include the standard manufacturer's warranty.

What causes pressure tanks to fail?

Pressure tanks do not last forever. Over time, the bladder, fittings, and internal lining can wear out. In Florida, mineral content, water quality, and heavy system use can all shorten service life.

Some common causes of failure are:

• Age and normal wear
• Corrosion inside or outside the tank
• High cycle counts from frequent water use
• Water chemistry issues
• Improper sizing for the system demand
• Repeated lightning-related electrical issues affecting the system

If your water also has odor, staining, or hardness problems, it may help to look at the whole system, not just the tank. Our water filtration and treatment service can help with hard, smelly, or staining well water, and we do on-site water testing to identify what’s actually in the water.

How a failing tank affects your whole well system

A bad pressure tank does more than cause annoying pressure swings. It can make the pump cycle too often, which can wear out the pump motor faster and increase the risk of a bigger repair later. In some cases, the pressure switch and other electrical parts take extra abuse too.

That matters because a well system is built to work as a unit. If the tank is failing, the pump may be forced to do the job the tank should be doing. That’s why we inspect both the tank and the pump together, rather than guessing at the problem from one symptom.

If the issue is tied to a storm or surge event, our lightning damage repair service covers pump and motor repair after lightning strike, along with pressure-switch and control replacement.

What to expect from a professional tank inspection

When you call us about a pressure tank, we look at the full system so we can give you a straight answer. That includes the tank condition, pressure switch operation, pump performance, and any signs of related wear.

A proper inspection may include:

• Checking cut-in and cut-out pressure
• Looking for leaks or corrosion
• Testing for waterlogging
• Reviewing pump run time and cycling
• Inspecting the pressure switch and controls
• Confirming whether the tank is sized correctly for the system

If the tank is beyond repair, we can replace it with the right type and size for your system. We work on residential pumps, irrigation pumps, turbine pumps, industrial pumps, and centrifugal pumps, and we carry Goulds, Sta-Rite, Grundfos, and Schaefer pumps new and used.

Why Central Florida well owners call Dunham

We’ve been drilling and servicing wells in Polk County since 1950, and we know the local aquifer conditions that affect how these systems behave. That experience matters when you’re trying to figure out whether a pressure tank is failing, a pump is wearing out, or another part of the well system is causing the trouble.

Customers also call us because we do more than one part of the job. We can handle pump work and filter work in-house, and our full-line machine shop lets us rebuild pumps and turbines on site when that makes sense. For well owners, that means one shop that can look at the system as a whole.

If your tank is old, leaking, short-cycling the pump, or no longer keeping steady pressure, call Dunham Well Drilling at (863) 965-2881. We’re a family business that’s been here since 1950, and when replacement is the right move, we can help you choose the right tank and install it the right way.