pressure tank...replacable bladder?

[woodlot]

I'm in the market for a new larger pre-charged pressure tank for my well system. I've seen some tanks that advertise a "replaceable bladder." Has anyone ever actually replaced one of these? Was it hard or a simple job? I'm wondering if this is a desirable feature in a pressure tank or just a marketing gimmick.

 

[turnkey4099]

I haven't done it. Been in some discussions about it.

The consesus is that it is not an easy job.

As the cost of a bladder tank is not that high to begin with it wouldn't be worth my trouble trying to replace the bladder.

Just my opinion.

Harry K

 

[_RaT_]

I try and think about the difficulty of tracking down the bladder after 15 years has gone by. I finally find the bladder, buy it, pull my tank apart only to find its rusted very badly. I have a new bladder, and old rusted tank and think, maybe this was not the best way to go.

Anyway, thats a scenario I could see happening. With infrequent checking of the precharge pressure, a bladder should last a very long time.

 

[heehaw]

i have a friend that has worked on pumps etc for 30+ years: his recommendation is to go with a fiberglass pressure tank: he says he never had to go back, when he installed that type of tank>
heehaw

 

[GaryQWA]

Getting the old broken bladder out is a real problem and then getting the new one in isn't much easier. And the availability of the new bladder years later is a real concern and the cost can be a good portion of a new tank. So my vote goes to not planning to change a broken bladder. Actually I've only heard of a very few guys that attempted changing their replaceable tank bladder.

WellMate (fiberglass) tanks are a nice choice and you never need worry about the sweating or rusting problems associated with steel tanks.