Two kinds of homes, two kinds of tanks
Bristow is a mix. There are older rural homes that have been on the same well for a long time, and newer homes along Linton Hall Road and off Route 28 that were built with modern equipment. Both need pressure tanks, but the tanks we find can be very different.
Older homes
Some older homes still have an older style tank with no bladder inside. In those tanks, air and water sit together, and the water slowly absorbs the air over time. As the air disappears, the tank fills with water and the pump starts to short cycle. These tanks can be kept going for a while, but they tend to need attention again and again. Swapping one for a modern bladder tank usually ends that cycle. It also means one less thing to babysit.
Newer homes
Newer homes usually have a bladder or diaphragm tank. Those hold their air far better, but the bladder can eventually tear, and the steel shell can rust. When that happens, the tank behaves just like a waterlogged older tank: the pump clicks on and off and pressure swings with every tap.
Either way, pressure tank replacement in Bristow starts with the same step. We look at what you have, check the air charge, and tell you what is really going on. Sometimes the answer is a new tank. Sometimes it is an air adjustment, a stuck gauge, or a switch setting that does not match the tank. We would rather fix the real cause than sell you a part you did not need.
Hard water, sulfur and the tank
Parts of Prince William County sit on red shale and sandstone, and hard water, iron and a sulfur (rotten egg) smell are common complaints around here. Those water problems do not usually destroy a pressure tank on their own, but they can make a tank problem harder to spot and harder to live with.
- Mineral scale can build up in fittings, the tank tee and the gauge, which can make a gauge read wrong or stick.
- Filters and softeners add some restriction to the line, so a weak tank shows up as poor pressure sooner.
- Some treatment systems need steady flow to backwash properly, and a short cycling pump can make that harder.
- A sulfur smell that is worse on hot water is often a water heater issue, not a tank issue.
If the smell is the main complaint, our article on why well water smells like rotten eggs is a good place to start. When we replace a tank, we also look at any treatment equipment on the line, so the two work together instead of fighting each other.
Checking the air charge at home
You can do a quick, safe check before you call. Here is how:
- Turn the well breaker OFF.
- Open a cold water tap and let it run until the flow stops.
- Find the air valve on top of the tank. It looks like a tire valve.
- Read it with a regular tire gauge.
The number should be about 2 psi below your switch’s low setting. On a 40-60 switch, the most common setting, that means around 38. Very low air, or water spitting out of the valve, points to a tank problem. Please do not open the pressure switch cover or touch any wiring. Our guide on checking your pressure tank pressure walks through each step.
Pressure tank replacement in Bristow: what to expect
When you call 703-791-3981, we will ask a few questions and set a time. Bristow is on our regular route, so we can usually get to you quickly. Diagnosis is free.
On site, we check the tank, the switch, the pump and any treatment equipment. If the tank needs replacing, we install a Well-X-Trol tank sized for your home, set its air charge to match your switch, and run the system until it cycles the way it should. We check for leaks and make sure the work meets county code. We are licensed and insured, and we explain what we did in plain words.
If your home has a filter or softener after the tank, we make sure the new setup gives it the flow it needs. That way the treatment keeps doing its job and the pump is not working harder than it has to. It is a small detail, but it matters.
If a long stretch of short cycling has worn on the pump, we will tell you. Sometimes a new tank is all it takes. Other times the well pump needs work too. You will get an honest answer either way, including what can safely wait. You can read more about how we handle the job on our pressure tank replacement service page.
Close to home in Bristow
Oasis Well Service is a family company that Ken Lindgren started in 1987. His son John runs it today, and his grandson Brandon is the newest member of the crew. We answer 24/7, and no-water calls always come first.
If hard water or sulfur is part of the picture, see our page on well water treatment in Bristow. For pump trouble, visit our Bristow well pump repair page. We also replace tanks for neighbors in Haymarket and Gainesville, and throughout Prince William County.