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I suspect that my well expansion tank (Amtrol 'Well XTrol' tank; submersible pump & check valve; pressure range 25-50 psi) has accumulated deposits over the years since I know (from water testing) that I have a 'medium' amount of sediment in my water.  I would like to drain the tank so as to remove these deposits.  Are there any subtle factors of which I should be aware when draining / cleaning the expansion tank?  What procedure should I follow? For example, I thought I would use the following procedure: - shut pump power - close whole house valve downstream of tank so that when I drain tank I do not drain the house piping - attach hose to expansion tank drain valve - open drain valve until tank empty - close valve - start pump However following this procedure would trap air in the tank, right? So is there a better procedure that I should follow?  Thank you!!!

I suspect that my well expansion tank (Amtrol 'Well XTrol' tank; submersible pump & check valve; pressure range 25-50 psi) has accumulated deposits over the years since I know (from water testing) that I have a 'medium' amount of sediment in my water.  I would like to drain the tank so as to remove these deposits.  Are there any subtle factors of which I should be aware when draining / cleaning the expansion tank?  What procedure should I follow? For example, I thought I would use the following procedure: - shut pump power - close whole house valve downstream of tank so that when I drain tank I do not drain the house piping - attach hose to expansion tank drain valve - open drain valve until tank empty - close valve - start pump However following this procedure would trap air in the tank, right? So is there a better procedure that I should follow?  Thank you!!! In my experience, you may be better off leaving well enough alone. (pun intended) Your procedure is OK. When you fully drain the tank, the bladder inside will deflate completely since there will be no pressure on the bottom side. That will cause sediment/rust/muck to flake off the bladder surface. When you power up the pump, the sudden flow into the tank will wash most of the loose stuff off the bladder.   As pressure builds, open the drain again and flush it out.  Repeat several times. Unless you have a sediment filter between the tank and the house, expect some deposits to run out of the faucets, etc. for a while. Leave the faucet aerators off till clear. Jim

I do not drain the house piping - attach hose to expansion tank drain valve - open drain valve until tank empty - close valve - start pump However following this procedure would trap air in the tank, right? So is there a better procedure that I should follow?  Thank you!!! In my experience, you may be better off leaving well enough alone. (pun intended) Your procedure is OK. When you fully drain the tank, the bladder inside will deflate completely since there will be no pressure on the bottom side. That will cause sediment/rust/muck to flake off the bladder surface. When you power up the pump, the sudden flow into the tank will wash most of the loose stuff off the bladder.   As pressure builds, open the drain again and flush it out.  Repeat several times. Unless you have a sediment filter between the tank and the house, expect some deposits to run out of the faucets, etc. for a while. Leave the faucet aerators off till clear. Jim First, the tank is the well/pump pressure tank, not an expansion tank but, I'll add that when you turn on the pump you count to 4-5 fast and shut it off. That will flush the tank better. You do that with the drain valve open. Then let all the water drain out of the hose, the dirt will be at the end of the water flow. Repeat until the last water out of the hose is clean. I've done this many many times for customers and you may be surprised how much harmless 'dirt' you can get out of the tank. Remember harmless. It is rarely added to your water. While you're at this and the water is out of the tank, check your air pressure and set it to 2 psi less than the pressure switch cut-in pressure setting. I.E. pressure range of 30/50 air pressure at 28 with no water in the tank. You would watch the guage as to what pressure the pump comes on and goes off at before draining the tank. This 'dirt' usually doesn't change your water analysis data. Gary Quality Water Associates

I suspect that my well expansion tank (Amtrol 'Well XTrol' tank; submersible pump & check valve; pressure range 25-50 psi) has accumulated deposits over the years since I know (from water  testing) that I have a 'medium' amount of sediment in my water.  I would like to drain the tank so as to remove these deposits.  Are there any subtle factors of which I should be aware when draining / cleaning  the expansion tank?  What procedure should I follow? For example, I thought I would use the following procedure: - shut pump power - close whole house valve downstream of tank so that when I drain  tank I do not drain the house piping - attach hose to expansion tank drain valve - open drain valve until tank empty - close valve - start pump However following this procedure would trap air in the tank, right? So is there a better procedure that I should follow?  Thank you!!! In my experience, you may be better off leaving well enough alone. (pun intended) Your procedure is OK. When you fully drain the tank, the bladder inside will deflate completely since there will be no pressure on the bottom side. That will cause sediment/rust/muck to flake off the bladder surface. When you power up the pump, the sudden flow into the tank will wash most of the loose stuff off the bladder.   As pressure builds, open the drain again and flush it out.  Repeat several times. Unless you have a sediment filter between the tank and the house, expect some deposits to run out of the faucets, etc. for a while. Leave the faucet aerators off till clear. Jim First, the tank is the well/pump pressure tank, not an expansion tank but, I'll add that when you turn on the pump you count to 4-5 fast and shut it off. That will flush the tank better. You do that with the drain valve open. Then let all the water drain out of the hose, the dirt will be at the end of the water flow. Repeat until the last water out of the hose is clean. I've done this many many times for customers and you may be surprised how much harmless 'dirt' you can get out of the tank. Remember harmless. It is rarely added to your water. While you're at this and the water is out of the tank, check your air pressure and set it to 2 psi less than the pressure switch cut-in pressure setting. I.E. pressure range of 30/50 air pressure at 28 with no water in the tank. You would watch the guage as to what pressure the pump comes on and goes off at before draining the tank. This 'dirt' usually doesn't change your water analysis data. Gary Quality Water Associates Gary, Thanks for the help!!  Just to clarify - are you saying that I should modify my procedure so that when I turnj on the pump, I just turn it on for a few second with the drain valve open?  When I am finished draining, should I be concerned with the air trapped in the tank? Thanks for the help!!

pump comes on and goes off at before draining the tank. This 'dirt' usually doesn't change your water analysis data. Gary Quality Water Associates Gary, Thanks for the help!!  Just to clarify - are you saying that I should modify my procedure so that when I turnj on the pump, I just turn it on for a few second with the drain valve open?  When I am finished draining, should I be concerned with the air trapped in the tank? Thanks for the help!! Yes, a fast count to 5 or whatever gets the most dirt out just as the water stops coming out of the hose. Turning on the water and allowing all of it to drain out is flushing the tank. Trapped air is not a problem because the 'bladder' has all the air out of the tank before you turn the pump on. Any that's in the water area of the tank will be absorbed into the water. Gary Quality Water Associates