What is a pressure tank?

A pressure tank sits between your well pump and house plumbing to manage water delivery. The tank holds both water and compressed air in separate chambers. When your pump runs, it fills the tank and pressurizes the air inside. As you use water in your home, the air pushes the water out to your fixtures. Once pressure drops to a minimum threshold, the pump starts again to refill the tank.

This design keeps your pump from running constantly. Without a pressure tank, the pump would cycle on and off every time you turned on a faucet, which wears out equipment and wastes energy. The tank absorbs the pressure swings that occur in a well system.

Two main types are common in residential wells. A bladder tank uses an internal rubber bladder to separate air from water, allowing the air to absorb pressure changes smoothly. A diaphragm tank uses a rubber diaphragm to divide the chambers instead. Both designs work well in Bonner County's residential well installations, though bladder tanks are often preferred for their durability and larger usable water storage at a given tank size.

Pressure tanks eventually wear out as the internal bladder or diaphragm ages and loses flexibility. When a tank fails, you may notice the pump cycling too frequently or pressure dropping suddenly. If you suspect a failing pressure tank in your well system, a pressure tank and system repair specialist can diagnose and replace it.