Pressure Tank Replacement in Chapel Hill, NC
Short cycling, pulsing faucets, and a pump that never rests usually mean a failed pressure tank. Here is what replacement involves and what it costs in Orange County.
Pressure tank replacement in Chapel Hill, NC is the fix for a waterlogged tank that has lost its air charge and is making your well pump start and stop every few seconds. That short cycling is the fastest way to burn out an otherwise healthy submersible pump, which is why a $900 tank replacement often prevents a $3,500 pump job. T.W. Stanley & Son replaces pressure tanks across Chapel Hill and Orange County, usually same day, with the correct size for your pump and household.
What our team handles on the call
- Air charge testing and bladder diagnosis before recommending replacement
- Correct tank sizing based on pump output, drawdown, and household fixture count
- Same-day replacement of waterlogged, rusted, and ruptured tanks
- Pressure switch and gauge replaced with the tank when contacts are pitted
- Cut-in and cut-out pressure set and verified, not guessed
- Constant-pressure alternatives explained when a bigger tank is not the right answer
How a service call works
- 1Phone triage
Call (336) 273-7314 and describe the symptom. Short cycling, pulsing pressure, and a pump that runs constantly each point somewhere different, and we can usually narrow it before arriving.
- 2Test the existing tank
We check the air charge at the schrader valve with the system depressurized, check for water coming out of the valve, and evaluate the bladder, shell, and fittings.
- 3Size the replacement
Tank size follows pump flow rate and desired run time. Too small causes short cycling, too large wastes money and can stagnate water. We size it to your actual system.
- 4Replace and set pressures
We install the tank, replace the switch and gauge if contacts are worn, pre-charge the tank 2 psi below cut-in, and verify a full pump cycle on site.
- 5Verify and document
You get the measured cut-in and cut-out pressures, the tank pre-charge, and the warranty in writing before we leave.
What does it cost?
In Chapel Hill, a standard pressure tank replacement typically runs $800 to $1,500 installed, depending on tank size and whether the switch, gauge, and fittings are replaced with it. A larger 62 gallon tank for a high-demand household runs higher. Replacing a failed tank promptly is almost always cheaper than the pump failure that short cycling eventually causes.
- •Standard 20 to 32 gallon tank replaced: typically $800 to $1,200 installed
- •Larger 44 to 62 gallon tank: typically $1,200 to $1,800 installed
- •Pressure switch and gauge replaced with the tank: typically $150 to $300 more
- •Diagnosis only, if the tank turns out to be fine: quoted before we start
Every job gets a written, on-site estimate before any work begins. No surprise fees.
Where we work
We replace pressure tanks across Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Efland, and all of Orange County, plus the surrounding counties we have served since 1946. Call (336) 273-7314 for same-day scheduling when the tank has failed.
Frequently asked
How do I know my pressure tank has failed?
The clearest sign is short cycling: the pump kicks on and off every few seconds while a faucet runs. Other signs are water spitting from the schrader valve on top of the tank, pulsing pressure at fixtures, and a tank that feels full of water when you rock it.
What does pressure tank replacement cost in Chapel Hill NC?
Typically $800 to $1,500 installed for a standard tank, more for a 44 to 62 gallon unit. Replacing the pressure switch and gauge at the same time adds roughly $150 to $300.
Can a waterlogged tank damage my well pump?
Yes, and it is the most common preventable cause of premature pump failure. Every start draws high current, and a tank with no air cushion can force hundreds of starts per day instead of a few dozen.
How long does a well pressure tank last?
Typically 8 to 15 years. Tanks in unconditioned crawlspaces and those running on aggressive, acidic Orange County water often land at the lower end of that range.
What size pressure tank do I need?
It depends on pump flow rate and the run time you want, not on house size alone. A common Chapel Hill household on a 10 gpm pump is well served by a 32 to 44 gallon tank. We size it against your actual pump rather than a rule of thumb.
Can I just add air to the tank instead of replacing it?
If the bladder is intact and the tank has simply lost charge, recharging can restore it. If water comes out of the air valve, the bladder has ruptured and no amount of air will fix it. We test before recommending.
More reading
Need help right now?
We answer the phone 24/7. Most calls are reached on-site within a couple of hours.
Call (336) 273-7314Or send a message and we will get back to you.