How to Troubleshoot a Sta-Rite Well Pressure Tank

Limited Water Supply

• 1

  Open faucets located farthest from the location of your tank and allow the pump to operate at its maximum rate to flush it out. When the temperature is high for long periods, the tank’s pre-charge pressure can increase and this decreases the amount of water available per cycle. You must lower the tank’s pre-charge pressure so it is 2 psi below the pump’s cut-in setting.

• 2

  Allow faucets to run until there is no longer a sputtering flow of water. Once the water flows steadily with no sputters or breaks caused by air in the system, close the faucets.

• 3

  Open the faucets once more to make sure excess air is out of the system and you continue to have a steady flow.

Sputtering Faucets

• 4

  Open the faucets nearest to the tank and pump to flush the air from the tank and to lower its pre-charge pressure to 2 psi below the pump’s cut-in setting.

• 5

  Check for leaks in the suction side of the pump if the water continues to sputter after flushing the tank. Examine the piping on the pump and the tank to ensure you have tight connections with no cracks or breaks in the lines.

• 6

  Apply liquid soap to the connection and around the air valve on your pressure tank. Wherever you see bubbles indicates a leak.

• 7

  Tighten connections and if bubbles are still produced. Use Teflon tape on the male threads of all connections from pump to tank to prevent leaks and to ensure a tight connection. Hand-tighten these first and finish tightening them using a pipe wrench.

• 8

  Replace the core in the air valve if this is the location of the air leak. The Sta-Rite pressure tank’s air valve core is the same as those used for automotive tubeless tires.

Water Hammer

• 9

  Turn off power to the pump and open a faucet closest to the tank.

• 10

  Run the faucet until no more water flows out. If the amount of water produced per pump cycle has dropped drastically or if you experience water hammer, or banging pipes, the tank’s air charge may be higher than the pump’s cut-in setting.

• 11

  Attach a tire gauge to the air valve located in the top of the tank. It should be 2 psi lower than the pump’s pressure switch cut-in setting.

• 12

  Add air to the tank using an air compressor until you have a reading 2 psi lower than the cut-in setting if the tank pressure is too high.