Air Over Water Pressure Tank Vs Bladder

Most not all water pressure tank models using a bladder isolate water inside the bladder meaning that water coming out of the air valve shows a burst bladder.

Air over water pressure tank vs bladder. Bladder instead of a diaphragm a bladder is used. Diaphragm a diaphragm separates water and air but overtime the diaphragm may detach from its connection allowing water and air to mix. Even if the tank air pressure is too low you should still see some air pressure at the tank air valve when all water has left the tank. Usually in a bladder type water pressure tank the water is in the bladder and the air is in the tank outside the bladder.

Possible mix up between water and air is highly likely. In a bladder type water tank with proper pressure adjustment when all water has left the tank you ll see air pressure at 2 psi below the pressure switch cut in setting. Generally the pressure in the tank air bladder should be 2 psi below the water pressure switch kick in pump turn on point. In this example of 48 to 68 lbs the air bladder pressure should be 46.

Imo the biggest plus to a bladder type tank is it is much smaller physically than air over water type tanks. There are a few bladder type water tank models in which this design is reversed water is in the tank and air is in the bladder more likely with fiberglass tanks.