Pressure Tank Replacement in Sunderland, MD

The Problem

A homeowner in Sunderland, MD (20689) noticed their well pump was cycling on and off rapidly — sometimes dozens of times per hour. The water pressure in the home was inconsistent, surging and dropping with each pump cycle. Their electric bill had increased noticeably over the past two months.

They had been told by a neighbor that they probably needed a new well pump.

The Diagnosis

We performed a systematic diagnostic. The circuit breaker was not tripped. The pressure switch was functioning correctly. We checked the pressure tank — tapping it revealed it was completely waterlogged (solid sound throughout, no hollow upper section).

We tested the pump performance: the pump was building pressure correctly when it ran. The problem was not the pump — it was the pressure tank. The tank's internal bladder had failed, leaving the tank completely full of water with no air cushion.

Without the air cushion, the pump was cycling on and off for every small water draw — sometimes 30–40 times per hour. This short-cycling was stressing the pump motor and wasting electricity.

The Solution

We replaced the waterlogged pressure tank with a properly sized bladder tank. We sized the replacement based on the pump's flow rate and the home's peak demand — the original tank had been undersized for the home's usage.

We set the pre-charge pressure in the new tank to 2 PSI below the pressure switch cut-in setting, as recommended by the manufacturer.

We tested the system after installation: the pump was now running in long, efficient cycles rather than short-cycling. Water pressure was consistent throughout the home.

The Outcome

The short-cycling stopped immediately after the pressure tank replacement. The electric bill returned to normal the following month. The pump, which had been short-cycling for at least two months, was still functioning correctly — the early intervention likely prevented a premature pump failure.

Key Takeaways

• A waterlogged pressure tank causes pump short-cycling — not a failing pump
• Short-cycling dramatically shortens pump life and wastes electricity
• Replacing the pressure tank is far less expensive than replacing a pump that failed due to short-cycling
• Proper pressure tank sizing prevents short-cycling even when the tank is new
• A systematic diagnostic approach identifies the actual cause before any parts are ordered