If you experience a drop in water pressure or if your softener is cycling at odd hours, there is a good chance that your water pressure tank is part of the problem. Most people never think of these two systems working together. Here is why they matter more than most people realize.
What a Water Pressure Tank Actually Does
The water pressure tank holds water under pressure. This means that your pump will not run every time you open a tap. Without a pressure tank, your pump would be running constantly. This would make your pump run out quickly. A rubber bladder or a diaphragm is present inside the pressure tank, one side of which has water, while the other side has air.
The water comes out of the pipes due to the air. The water goes out, and the pump starts again. Simple enough. But when the tank fails or loses its air charge, the pump short-cycles. And that creates problems for every appliance downstream, including your water softener.
How Pressure Problems Affect Water Softeners in Canada
Water softeners in Canada rely on steady water pressure to work properly. During the regeneration cycle, a softener draws water in at specific intervals. If the pressure fluctuates wildly, the resin bed won’t flush correctly. The result? Hard water slipping through. Iron buildup on the resin. A softener that seems to be working but isn’t really doing its job.
Signs Your Pressure Tank May Be Failing
Watch for these signs:
- The pump turns on every few seconds when water is running.
- Water pressure surges and then drops randomly
- Your water softener regenerates too often
- You can hear your water softener pump running, while the water pressure is low
These symptoms signal a waterlogged pressure tank and a damaged water softener bladder. It happens when the water has no air to push, thus leading to overworking of the water pump.
What to Check Before Buying a New Softener
If you are in Canada and are looking for water softeners, and you have a well water system, there are a number of things you will want to check before buying a new softener, which many people fail to do. So check:
- If your tank pressure rating corresponds to your pump’s cut-in pressure, which is usually 20 to 40 PSI or 30 to 50 PSI.
- Pre-charge air pressure, which can be checked with a tire gauge when your pump is off, and your water pressure reading is zero.
- Age: Bladder tanks mostly last 5 to 15 years, depending on water quality and cycling frequency.
Final Thoughts
If you are not sure if your pressure tank is impacting your softener, a water treatment specialist can check your system for you. This one call could save you from replacing a system that does not really need to be replaced.
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