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Water Pressure Tanks
Goulds Water Technology
When you open a
spigot in your home, you expect water to flow at a certain speed. Water
pressure in the line causes that water to flow.
If your home is
on city utilities, water pressure is controlled (for the most part) by the
city.
If your home is
on a well, you need something to build that pressure and this is the purpose of
the pressure tank.
In a nutshell:
The pressure tank in a water well system creates water pressure by using
compressed air to bear down on the water.
Because of this
pressure, when a valve is opened water is pushed out of the tank through the
pipes in your home.
When the water
in the pressures tank drops below the required amount, a pressure switch is
activated turning on the pump. The pump then refills the pressure tank.
The combination
of the pressure tank, pressure switch and the pump is what allows water to flow
through your home.
Pressure tanks,
which also act as reservoirs for the home, are generally set to keep pressure
within 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) of your starting and stopping
parameters.
For example,
most homes have pressure of 40 PSI to 60 PSI. If the pressure drops below 40
PSI, the pump kicks on and brings the pressure back to 60 PSI before cutting
off again.
Because the
tank acts as a reservoir, it allows water to be drawn from the tank without the
pump cycling on and off each time the water is turned on.
This ultimately
protects and prolongs the lifespan of the pump.
Pressure tanks
also reduce instances of water hammer as they reduce air in the pipes and
control the pressure of the water.
When choosing a
pressure tank, you will need to know the gallons per minute (GPM) – or if they
ask for gallons per hour (GPH) just multiple that number by 60 – your pump
pushes water through your pipes.
You’ll also
need to count the number of plumbing fixtures, including outside spigots, the
system needs to service.
Most
manufacturers provide a chart to help you size your pressure tank.
Like
everything, if in doubt, it’s always better to go with larger pressure tanks
and have them installed by a professional.
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