Residential Water Pressure Tank Size

I bought a 52 gallon tank for my house, which is plenty. It's kind of a money thing. I wouldn't go smaller than what I bought, but the larger the pressure tank, the less cycling the well pump has to do, which in theory, should extend the life of the pump.

It would help to know the production numbers on the well.

Then you could estimate the water usage over a day by 1/4 hour intervals and determine when demand outpaces supply and for how long; plan accordingly.

Or, go down to the local hardware store (not HD or Lo's) or plumbing supply house and ask them.

Luis, the sizing and operational settings of the well pressure tank (also known as a hydropneumatic tank) will depend on the following criteria:

1. The well production rate, in gallons per minute (gpm).

2. The well pump cycling period, in minutes.

3. The well pump delivery head (pressure) as measured at the tank location, in Pounds per Square Inch Gauge (psig).

4. The maximum pressure losses in the house plumbing due to friction losses and head losses @ Peak Instantaneous Demand (flow rates), in psi with all water consuming devices "on". To determine the friction loses you need to know the lengths of each size and type of pipe as well as it's interior condition + a design flow rate, etc.

5. Typical Average Daily Demand (ie, water consumption), in gpm, based of a host of factors.....number of people in the household served, number of water consuming fixtures (incl. faucets, showers, tubs, dishwashers and clothes washers...outside sprinklers & hose bibs). From this baseline flow rate value, together with the total number of Fixture Units, the PID can be determined.

There's a lot more to this than just guessing a certain size tank and popping it into place and pray that it works properly.....improper sizing and settings will result in fast recycling of the pump and hence reduction of the well pump life span. Also, you may experience inadequate flow rates at some of the highest water fixtures if the tank settings are not properly done.

I suggest that you obtain the services of a certified mechanical contractor who has experience in installing wells and hydro tanks. Also, hired the services of a Licensed & Registered Professional Engineer from Texas to complete the calculations and make a tank selection recommendation.....either a well- qualified Mechanical Engineer PE or a Civil Engineer PE who is experienced with well pump and hydro tank design and installations can assist you.

Good luck!

Aw c'mon Moosie. Good advice until the end.

This stuff isn't rocket science. Anyone that's fairly handy can do the job.

To the OP:

Do some rough calculations, and buy the next biggest sized tank from the one you think you need.

Can you measure, cut and glue PVC pipe? If the answer is yes, you're half way there.

Can you operate a small compressor, put air in your tire and check the pressure with a pressure guage? If the answer is yes, bingo! you're in luck.

Follow the directions with the tank and don't forget to turn off the power to the well pump before you start cutting pipe.

If your existing lines are copper, or if you want to go with PEX, just post here and we'll get you through it.

That's what I did 7 years ago, and everything is just fine.

If you don't have a pressure gauge on your water line, (you should), you'll have to invest in one of those too.

If I hired a qualified engineer for every project I've done on my place, all I would have is $50,000 worth of advice, and I'd still be living in a dump.

Ohhhh come on Kram, I've seen a bunch of DIY hydro tank installations over the years (34 yrs. to be exact) that were the homeowner screwed the pooch from the get go.....

IF the OP doesn't know how to do the necessary calculations nor is handy around the house then he's liable to screw up his selection & settings. Not everyone is a dedicated DIY'er.

A wise man once said: "Penny wise, pound foolish.....".

[OR in my own words: pay me now or pay me later and it'll cost you more than double the initial amount to fix things correctly.]

Sorry, but my advice was correct and spot on.

I just reread the original post..................you're probably right.

If he can't get past figuring out the right size, installing it probably won't go well.

Sorry.

These people need the yellow pages, not CR4.

Still,

I'd go to one of these places:

• Moore Supply Co.

  201 Industrial Boulevard, Austin (512) 462-0606 yahoo.com (1)

  Place page

• Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. - Plumbing and Builder Products

  700 E Saint Elmo Rd, Austin (512) 445-5140

  1 Google review

• Morrison Supply Company : Home Page

  4211 Willow Springs Rd, Austin (512) 916-4901 insiderpages.com (5) - citysearch.com (5)

  3 Google reviews

• Economy Supply Company - Home

  4708 East 7th Street, Austin (512) 385-9160

  Place page

and hang around and ask questions. There's always plumbers around who are looking for work.

i usually determine the tank size by the number of resididents. a 30 gal. tank should easily accommadate 3-4 people.