Pressure Tank
Definition
A pressure tank (also called a captive air tank or bladder tank) is installed between the submersible pump and the household plumbing system. Inside the tank, a rubber bladder separates a pre-charged air chamber from the water storage chamber. As the pump runs, water fills the tank, compressing the air bladder. When a faucet opens, pressurized water is pushed out of the tank without the pump running — until the pressure drops to the pump’s activation threshold and the cycle repeats. Pressure tanks reduce pump start/stop cycles (extending pump life), smooth out pressure fluctuations, and provide a buffer supply when demand briefly exceeds pump output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Pressure Tank Matters
How Trident Drilling Company Uses It
During well system inspections, Trident Drilling evaluates the pressure tank's condition by checking its pre-charge air pressure, listening for short-cycling behavior, and assessing whether the tank's volume is appropriate for the property's demand and the pump's GPM output. A tank showing loss of air charge or signs of waterlogging is documented in the inspection report with a recommendation for service or replacement through a pump system partner.