Hydraulic accumulators. Hydraulic accumulators and membrane tanks What should be the pressure in the accumulator

Any private home that uses an autonomous water supply system as a water source may experience difficulty maintaining stable pressure in the system. Several systems are used to stabilize pressure, but the simplest and most reliable is the circuit using a storage tank.

Why install a hydraulic accumulator

A storage tank, pressure or expansion tank, or hydraulic accumulator still does not have a viable alternative for autonomous water supply systems. The design of the device is quite simple and the industry offers a lot of varieties that differ in marking color, capacity and operating parameters. Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems, design and principle of operation, as well as approximate prices can be found out if you spend a few minutes and read this material.

In addition to maintaining constant pressure in the system, the hydraulic accumulator protects expensive equipment included in the water supply circuit, primarily the hydraulic pump, from overload. The pump is protected from constant starts and stops, which prolongs its service life, and in addition, precise and delicate modern equipment sometimes simply refuses to work at low or high pressure, and with a correctly selected expander, you can forget about water hammer in the system forever.

How does a hydraulic accumulator work?

The simplest circuit of a hydraulic accumulator is shown in the photo above. As you can see, there is nothing supernatural in the design. The standard device is a metal cylindrical tank with ends in the form of hemispheres to uniformly distribute pressure on the walls of the container. A rubber membrane is placed in the tank, which divides it into two parts - one volume is intended for water, the second for gas or air.

The water chamber is made of special rubber, which is resistant to bacteria and necessarily meets all sanitary and hygienic standards applicable to drinking water. The pneumatic chamber has a special valve valve that allows you to regulate the pressure on the membrane. In a hydraulic chamber with a volume of less than 50 liters, a hydraulic valve is not installed to bleed air released from the water, and in batteries with a capacity of 100 to 500 liters, such a valve must be installed.

When installing a container into the system, it is necessary to ensure that the diameters of the inlet pipe correspond to the size of the pipeline pipe. This will avoid hydraulic losses in the system. The device is mounted so that it can be accessed for maintenance, pressure monitoring and, if necessary, repairs.

Operating principle and maintenance of the device

The operating diagram of the device is simple; approximate connection diagrams are shown in the photo. Regardless of which system the pump uses, it supplies water through the filter element into the hydromembrane under a certain pressure. As soon as the pressure in the area from the battery to the pump reaches the nominal value, the relay turns off the electric motor, and water is distributed to consumers directly from the expander. The larger the reservoir capacity, the longer the pump will be in standby mode. The relay only turns on again when the pressure begins to drop.

For long-term uninterrupted water supply, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance from time to time; for this it is necessary to bleed the air from the membrane if the battery capacity is no more than 100 liters and the design does not have an automatic bleed valve. This is done in the following sequence:

The system is disconnected from the power supply.

The tap opens at the nearest point of water consumption.

The water is completely drained.

The tap is closed, the system is connected to power and put into combat readiness.

These procedures must be carried out every three to four months.

How to choose and how much does a hydraulic accumulator cost?

Depending on the installation method, the device can be of either vertical or horizontal type; there is no fundamental difference between them, but one type or another is chosen based on the capabilities of the room. According to the type of energy storage, the expander can be pneumatic or mechanical. In the latter case, the membrane is acted upon not by air or gas pressure, but by a spring.

It is important to consider the storage capacity. For example, for a typical two-room apartment or small country house it will be enough to buy a 50-liter hydraulic accumulator. For a large house, storage tanks with a capacity of 80 liters or more are used, and for two-story houses, devices with a cylinder from 100 to 500 liters are suitable. Also, storage tanks are distinguished by membrane material - for cold or hot water; they are painted blue and red, respectively. The price of an average device for 50-80 liters from a domestic manufacturer will be from two thousand rubles, and a Gilex, Reflex hydraulic accumulator with a volume of 100 liters or more will cost 6-8 thousand. Good luck with your choice and uninterrupted water supply to your home!

It is enough to delve into the operating principle and structure of the hydraulic accumulator to understand for yourself how important this unit is for water supply systems in a private home.

Any owner of a country home is well aware of how difficult it can be to ensure stable operation of autonomous systems. Water supply failures happen quite often. They lead to the failure of expensive household appliances and significantly complicate a person’s life in a private home.

Sometimes one pressure surge is enough for a gas water heater or a recently purchased dishwasher to break down. A hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems, commonly called an expansion, pressure or storage tank, helps prevent such troubles.

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems

The main tasks of such a device:

1. Maintaining a constant pressure in the water supply network, protecting the system from pressure changes. When 2–3 taps are running simultaneously (for example, in the kitchen and in the bathroom), significant temperature fluctuations are observed during water pressure surges. If you take a shower or wash dishes at this time, there is a high risk of getting a burn. Such unpleasant situations can be prevented by installing an expansion tank for water supply systems.
2. Protection against early operational wear of the water pump. There is always some amount of water in the accumulator. When the tap is opened, it is the first thing that begins to flow into the network. In this case, the pump does not turn on until the water supply in the storage tank is completely used up.
3. Protection of the pipeline from hydraulic shocks. They are often fixed when the pump is started and cause significant harm to the water supply system.
4. Providing consumers with a certain supply of water in case of a power outage when the pump does not function due to lack of electricity. Thanks to the installed tank, water is still available in such situations. Its specific amount depends on the volume of the hydraulic accumulator (100 liters, 200 liters, and so on).

As you can see, the hydraulic tank in question is truly of great importance for the normal functioning of water supply systems in private homes, especially if they are located outside the city.

Based on the type of energy storage, the devices we are interested in come with mechanical and pneumatic storage. The first of these operate due to the kinetics of a spring or load. Mechanical tanks are characterized by a large number of operational disadvantages (large geometric dimensions, high inertia of systems), therefore they are not used for domestic water supply systems. It is worth noting that such devices do not require recharging or power supply from external electrical sources.

Units with pneumatic storage are more common. They function by compressing water under gas pressure (or vice versa) and are divided into the following types: piston; with a bulb or a balloon; membrane Piston devices are recommended for cases where it is necessary to constantly have a sufficiently large supply of water (500–600 liters). Their cost is low, but in private homes such installations are used extremely rarely.

Membrane tanks are small in size. They are easy to use. They are most often used for water supply systems of private housing construction. Simpler balloon units are also actively used. Such devices are easy to install (you can install them yourself) and maintain (if necessary, any home craftsman can easily replace a failed rubber bulb or a leaky tank). Although the need to repair cylinder accumulators rarely arises. They are truly durable and reliable in use.

Membrane tank for a private home

According to their purpose, storage tanks are divided into the following types:

• for heating systems;
• for hot water;
• for cold water.

And according to the installation method, vertical and horizontal units are distinguished. Both the first and second function exactly the same. Vertical hydraulic tanks with a volume of more than 100 liters usually have a special valve. It makes it possible to bleed air from the water supply network. Horizontal devices are equipped with a separate mount. An external pump is attached to it.

Also, expansion tanks for autonomous water supply systems vary in volume. There are very small units on sale, designed for 2–5 liters, and real giants with 500 or more liters. For private homes, it is recommended to purchase hydraulic accumulators of 100 or 80 liters.

Diaphragm accumulators are a container inside which a special rubber gasket is installed, dividing the tank into two functional parts. Inert gas or ordinary air is pumped into one part, and water is contained in the second.

The unit we are considering is equipped with a pressure gauge showing air pressure, as well as a special hole through which water is supplied. It is pumped into the container through the action of an electric pump. If the hydraulic tank for water supply systems is equipped with automatic devices, they independently turn off the pumping equipment when the specified pressure is reached. In this case, water stops flowing into the container.

Hydraulic tank design

The pressure in the tank decreases with each flow of water. When it becomes minimally acceptable, the automation starts the pumping equipment again and pumps up water. As you can see, the principle of operation of the hydraulic accumulator is very simple. It is not difficult to deal with this issue even for a person who is very far from the intricacies of water supply systems and equipment for them. The design of tanks with a bulb or cylinder (they are most often made for 100 liters) differs from membrane ones in that there is no contact of the liquid with the body of the container. In balloon units, water enters the bulb and is then used for its intended purpose.

Important point! Diaphragm tanks with a capacity of more than 100 l are always equipped with an air bleed valve. Hydraulic accumulators with a smaller displacement do not have such an additional element. Therefore, when installing them, it is imperative to provide the water supply with a tap or a special tee, with the help of which it will be possible to shut off the main line of the network, and then bleed off unnecessary air without any problems.

Cylinder and membrane containers are mounted using two methods. If you use surface pumping equipment, the hydraulic accumulator is connected according to the following diagram:

1. Determine the pressure inside the container. Its indicator must be 0.3–1 bar less than the pressure required to start the pumping equipment (the specific number is usually indicated on the pump relay).
2. Connect the fitting to the hydraulic tank. It must have 5 outputs - for connecting a water pipe, a pump, a storage tank itself, a pressure gauge, a pump unit and a relay. The fitting is connected to the hydraulic accumulator through a flange, which is equipped with a special valve (throughput) or a rigid hose.
3. Screw all other elements of the system to the fitting.
4. Seal all joints with tape or sealant and tow.

Connection diagram for hydraulic accumulator

When installing equipment, pay special attention to connecting the pressure switch. Under its cover there are two contacts - the pump and the network. You need to connect the corresponding wire to each of them. This is easy to do if the contacts are signed. Otherwise, you will have to call a professional electrician. After installing and connecting the tank, be sure to check the system for leaks. If there are any, seal the connections better.

Connecting a storage tank to has some features. Such pumping equipment is installed in a well with water or in a well. In this case, a check valve must be installed. It is placed on the pump (through the internal thread made in the cover of the device).

The valve is necessary to prevent water from flowing back into the well. This is his only task. After installing the check valve, you can connect the hydraulic tank to the water supply system according to the scheme already known to you. Now you know everything about the principle of operation, design and subtleties of installation of storage tanks. Feel free to install a hydraulic accumulator so that there are never any interruptions in water supply in your home!

What makes us install a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system? So, let's look at it in detail:

• Firstly, there is the need to accumulate (accumulate, preserve) the volume of liquid;
• Secondly, it is necessary, while accumulating liquid, to also remove excess pressure;
• Thirdly, this is the need to dampen water hammer in the water supply system;
• Fourthly, the hydraulic accumulator allows you to maintain water pressure even when the pump is turned off;
• Fifthly, the presence of a hydraulic accumulator gives “advance” to the pump; it turns on less often;
• And sixthly, during peak water consumption, the hydraulic accumulator “smoothes out” them...

Hydraulic accumulator has synonyms to designate the same product and structural element of the water supply system: “Expansion tank” and “Expanzomat” are among them, and are used quite often, especially the first. They mean exactly the same as the hydraulic accumulator.

Historical retreat: For a more conscious perception of the function and location of the hydraulic accumulator in our water supply system, it is good to remember the design and purpose of water towers known to many. They stored water and also provided water pressure in the system (pressure in common parlance).

But due to their design and location in the water supply, they could not and should not smooth out excess pressure and dampen water hammer. But both the water tower and the hydraulic accumulator improve the operation of the system: the first due to the potential energy of water raised above the ground, the second - due to the potential energy of the air compressed in it.

Digression on color: Hydraulic accumulators are also installed in heating systems. And here it is worth remembering that hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems and for heating systems are usually (by most manufacturers) manufactured with a difference in color. Blue ones are for water supply systems. Red – heat supply. There are also colorless ones.

In any case, you should read the technical documentation to be sure of the intended purpose of the device. Among the differences between these devices: the blue ones use only food-grade rubber. They, the blue ones, are designed in such a way that you can change the membrane yourself. The red ones have technical rubber, and you can’t change the membrane yourself in all of them. Therefore, the hydraulic accumulator for the water supply system is a blue hydraulic accumulator.

Hydraulic accumulator device for water supply systems

Appearance of the hydraulic accumulator- a container that actually accumulates water, a membrane or bulb inside, a filter - usually also inside, inputs and outputs for water and air, and various pipes, valves, devices and structures to ensure the functioning of the water supply outside.

Hydraulic accumulators have two standard design options. Diaphragm accumulators and hydraulic accumulators with a rubber bulb.

Both the bulb and the membrane are hidden inside the device.

The membrane follows the shape of the tank as we see it from the outside. In this case, water enters it from below. Its place is inside the membrane. The outside of the membrane is surrounded by air.

The water inlet is at the bottom, the air inlet is at the top. At the input below there is a filter, at the input above there is a spool.

Note: sometimes they make an entrance for water from above.

Hydraulic accumulators with a bulb are designed in approximately the same way, but there are modifications when the water inlet is located on the side, the whole device seems to be horizontal. The pear can be attached either on one side or on both ends, to opposite walls.

Ecological retreat: Opinions about which is better, a bulb or a membrane, and which material for the bulb or membrane gives you better quality water output are very varied. Many believe that a pear, and even one made of rubber based on natural rubber, provides the best water in an environmental sense. There are other opinions that different types of membranes and bulbs have sufficiently high quality material and do not affect the composition of the water.

Selection of a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system. How to choose?

For those who like simple solutions, we can confidently suggest: buy a 24-liter hydraulic accumulator, and allocate the space as close as possible to the pump - and your water supply system will work normally.

If the building is larger, or the family is large, and the activity in using water is high, it is worth doing some calculations.

Let's approach from the point of view of turning the pump on and off. It is better not to turn on the pump more than 30 times per hour. Find out the capacity of your pump, most likely it is about 40 liters per minute. In a hydraulic accumulator, water and air divide the space in half... so from this point of view you need a hydraulic accumulator volume of up to 100 liters.

The issue of peak consumption: 8 liters of water for the kitchen, 10 liters of water for the shower, and 6 liters for the toilet. It's in a minute!

If there are two toilets, then you need to take this into account too.

We get a figure of 30 liters per minute. We only have half of the hydraulic accumulator tank – it’s water, remember that. A hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems up to 100 liters is suitable from this point of view!

Note for the diligent: If you want to approach the issue even more carefully, take an interest in the fairly well-known international calculation methodology. It is also denoted by the Latin abbreviation UNI. The technique will require effort from you - you need to fill out the tables and understand the calculation formula.

From the point of view of reserving water in case of a shutdown, make a decision subjectively, based on your understanding of what a reserve is and how much water you need “just in case.”

How to choose a hydraulic accumulator for water supply in terms of pressure. The pressure should in no case be less than the pressure in the water supply system at home. A pipe height of 10 meters gives you a pressure of 1 bar. The tap operates normally at 0.5 bar.

You need the pressure to be no less than the sum of these two values, that is, 1.5 bar. Typically, manufacturing plants provide exactly this figure. However, the pressure in the accumulator should be checked once or twice a year!

Installation of a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems

It’s always a good idea to remind that the installation of the hydraulic accumulator must be carried out in full accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

It would be ideal if this is carried out by experienced specialists. A non-specialist who has the ability, experience and desire, the owner of a house, for example, often prefers to do everything himself. In this case, again, the manufacturer’s instructions must not be violated, and prudence and caution should be exercised:

• Hydraulic accumulators with external damage should not be installed;
• The conditions at the place of installation and operation must correspond to those specified by the manufacturer;
• Tank weight! The weight of the accumulator should be taken into account, not forgetting the amount of water that will be in it after installation!
• Sometimes it is necessary to drain the water from the accumulator. Think ahead and do everything necessary for this case!
• Freezing of water in the accumulator is unacceptable. The room must be heated!
• The hydraulic accumulator and its elements, and the supply parts of the water supply system should not be subjected to any static loads;
• Protect your hydraulic accumulator from moisture and mechanical damage from the outside;
• If you are lucky and need a hydraulic accumulator with a volume of, for example, 750 liters, evaluate in advance how you will drag a large tank into the house (door openings, etc.)

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: connection diagram.

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems: malfunctions

The vast majority of hydraulic accumulator malfunctions can be repaired - it is ideal to invite a specialist to do this, but you can do a lot on your own.

Does the pump turn on too often? This is a signal of several possible malfunctions of your accumulator:

• There may be no compressed air in the container. You can fix the problem by simply pumping up the air with a car pump;
• The membrane may be damaged. You should replace it by contacting specialists or yourself. Be sure to read about replacing the membrane. Be sure to use only the original membrane (or, as we say, native);
• Hull damaged. This breakdown speaks for itself. It is necessary to repair the body by turning to professionals;
• The pressure difference is too small, at which the pump turns on, and the pressure at which the pump turns off. It is necessary to change the pump on and off pressure (on the pressure switch).
• Is water leaking from the air valve? The membrane is clearly damaged. It needs to be changed, again at a service center, preferably, but if you do it yourself, then only to the original one!
• Air pressure has dropped below the calculated value? The nipple is to blame; it should be blown out, restoring the pressure inside.

Has the water pressure dropped below normal (no “pressure”)?

There may be two reasons for this:

1. Lack of compressed air in the hydraulic accumulator. Then we upload it there!
2. Or the pump does not provide the required pressure. You need to check the pump, maybe there is a malfunction. Or it cannot cope with the load according to its technical data

Hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems: prices

The price of a hydraulic accumulator differs. The price is affected by the volume, brand, and country of the tank manufacturer. Also, prices vary depending on the region of Russia in which hydraulic accumulators are sold. There is an opinion that a Chinese-made hydraulic accumulator with a capacity of 24 liters can be purchased for 1,200 rubles at retail.

On the Internet, the cost of hydraulic accumulators for water supply systems ranges from 1100 rubles to 7500.

Let's sum it up

When dealing with a water supply system, we usually consider the pump to be the most important thing in it. If the pump is working, then there is water.

But the pump, taking water from a well, well or the same water supply system, pumps it into the hydraulic accumulator, or, more precisely, into the rubber membrane or bulb inside it.

Water is pumped into the hydraulic accumulator. Having reached a certain point, the pressure set during setup gives a signal to the pump to stop pumping water.

And only when the shower or washing machine is running, or other water flow occurs, the pressure sensors give a signal to the pump to resume operation.

Hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems saves and our water supply, and the pump itself, and energy, and especially our nerves.

Its size and pump power can be calculated, it is inexpensive, maintenance is not difficult, and repairs are not burdensome.

The hydraulic accumulator is one of those things that can make your country house truly modern and comfortable!

Hydraulic accumulators- this is equipment used to maintain and smoothly change pressure in heating and hot water supply systems.

When installing a hot water boiler, a certain volume of coolant is constantly circulated in the system. When water heats up, it expands and can rupture the pipes or tank in which it is located. In order to avoid this, experts have developed a special design - an expansion tank into which the “extra” coolant passes as the volume increases.

The membrane for the hydraulic accumulator is the most important element of the entire structure. It is designed to separate the liquid and air that are in the tank, and is made of synthetic and natural rubber.

Purpose and technical features of hydraulic accumulators

1. Accumulation of a small volume of water.
2. Reduced risk of water hammer.
3. Increased pump service life by reducing the number of on/off switches.

By design, hydraulic accumulators can be of two types: horizontal (used mainly with surface pumps) and vertical (work with submersible pump models). The volume of the hydraulic accumulator is selected depending on the power of the pump installed in the system.

We offer a wide range of hydraulic accumulators for water supply from such well-known manufacturers as Reflex, Wester, Gilex and others. If you cannot decide on the model of the hydraulic accumulator, contact the managers of the Teplomatika company for advice. Experienced specialists will help you choose exactly the equipment option that will satisfy all your requirements and wishes.

You should not install hydraulic accumulators for water supply and heating systems yourself. We recommend entrusting their installation and connection to qualified specialists from our company.

A hydraulic accumulator, also known as a storage, pressure or expansion tank, is a necessary element for a closed water supply system in any private home. In order to correctly select and use such an accumulator, it does not hurt to study the principle of operation of the hydraulic accumulator, the types, causes of breakdowns and how to eliminate them. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to figure out the difference between red and blue tanks.

How does a hydraulic accumulator work?

Hydraulic accumulators are often called hydraulic accumulators, since inside such a device there is a special rubber gasket - a membrane. It divides the container into two parts. On one side of the membrane there is water, on the other there is air or intervening gas. Also, the hydraulic tank is usually equipped with a hole for water supply and a pressure gauge that reflects air pressure.

Typically the hydraulic tank consists of a metal body and a rubber membrane. In addition, a spool is installed that regulates the air supply and bleed, as well as a filter to remove small contaminants

Water is supplied to the water supply system using a pump and pumped into the tank. As a result, the gas pressure in the automatic accumulator increases. When it reaches the maximum permissible value, the automatic control system turns off the pump and the water supply stops.

The diagram clearly shows the principle of operation of a hydraulic tank in a water supply system. The device is controlled automatically, which increases its service life

Gradually, the water from the tank is consumed. The pressure decreases, reaches the minimum specified limit, after which the automatic control system turns on the pump. Water enters the tank until the pressure reaches the set value, the pump turns off, etc.

Why is such a drive needed?

If there is a hydraulic tank, the pump on-off cycle occurs only when it is necessary to fill the tank with a sufficient supply of water. If there were no hydraulic accumulator, the pump would turn on every time one of the household members opens the tap. The presence of a storage tank in the system allows:

• significantly increase the service life of the well pump;
• prevent harm from possible water hammer in the system;
• maintain a certain pressure in the system;
• prevent breakdowns of elements of the water supply system and plumbing equipment.

It is obvious that hydraulic accumulators for closed water supply are simply necessary. The role of the storage tank in the water supply system is described in detail in the following video:

Types of membrane tanks and their features

There are vertical and horizontal hydraulic tanks, which are mounted differently at the installation location. There is one more important point. In the part of the hydraulic tank that contains water, a small amount of air can accumulate over time. This air should be periodically removed to prevent air pockets, which are quite dangerous for it, from entering the system. In vertical containers, air accumulates at the top and a special nipple is used to remove it.

With horizontal hydraulic tanks everything is somewhat more complicated. To bleed off accumulated air, you will need not only a nipple, but also a ball valve, as well as a sewer drain.

Owners of small hydraulic tanks with a capacity of less than 100 liters need to get rid of excess air differently. To do this you should:

1. Turn off power.
2. Open the mixer tap.
3. Wait until the tank is empty.
4. Close the tap.
5. Connect the system to power to refill the tank.

Excess air will escape along with the water. This procedure should be done at least once a month.

Red hydraulic tanks are designed for hot water supply systems. Although the membrane in them is made of fairly durable rubber, they should not be used to supply cold water.

Manufacturers offer hydraulic tanks in red and blue, as well as colorless ones. Blue devices are intended for use in a cold water supply system. To make the membrane in such tanks, food grade rubber is used, which is safe for human health. Red hydraulic tanks are intended for heating and hot water supply systems. It is not recommended to use them for cold water, since the membrane in such tanks is made of a different rubber. In addition, the operating pressure threshold for blue hydraulic tanks is higher and reaches 8 Bar.

Typically, water enters the storage tank from below, and on top, as already noted, there is a nipple through which air is discharged. Therefore, each device has two threaded connections (usually inch or half inch) that should not be confused. An automatic air venting device is often installed on the upper nipple.

Sometimes there are situations when water is supplied to the hydraulic tank from above. It is believed that in this case automatic air venting will not be needed. But you should take care of the filter so that sand particles or other contaminants do not enter the system.

Note! The consumer is offered a wide variety of models of hydraulic tanks of foreign and domestic production. Not all imported devices are adapted for the Russian water supply system, which significantly reduces the period of their uninterrupted operation. As practice has shown, high-quality domestic hydraulic tanks last longer.

Pay attention to the material about the design and operating principles of pumping stations:

Causes of breakdowns and ways to eliminate them

The most vulnerable part of the hydraulic tank is the rubber membrane. During operation, it is constantly stretched and then contracts. Gradually, the rubber loses its elasticity and breaks. The following symptoms may indicate problems with the hydraulic tank:
water comes from the system in small portions at high pressure, the tap seems to “spit” water;
the pressure gauge needle suddenly reaches high values ​​and then immediately drops to zero.

Rubber membranes for hydraulic tanks can have different shapes and sizes. When replacing the membrane, use a product designed for a specific hydraulic tank model

To make sure that the membrane is torn, you need to press the nipple spool to release air from the storage tank and determine what air pressure is in the accumulator. If at the same time the pressure gauge needle immediately goes down, it means that there is very little air left in the hydraulic tank that provides the necessary pressure. It is necessary to completely bleed the air, if after this water flows from the spool, then the membrane is definitely torn and repairs are necessary. If the water does not flow, the membrane is intact, and the air leaves the container through the cracks that have appeared, faulty connections or the spool.

Problems with the hydraulic tank in the hot water supply system can be indicated by a small leak that appears at the water heater safety valve. You should proceed in exactly the same way: press the spool valve nipple, estimate the amount of air, bleed it completely and determine by the presence or absence of water whether the hydraulic tank membrane is intact.

Replacing the membrane in a hydraulic tank is not that difficult; in addition, it is much cheaper than installing a new device. For repair you will need:

1. Purchase a new membrane that exactly matches the torn one.
2. Carefully disassemble the hydraulic tank by unscrewing the connecting bolts.
3. Remove the torn membrane.
4. Install a new membrane in its place.
5. Assemble the hydraulic tank.
6. Tighten all bolts evenly.

The main danger in this case is that improper handling of the device can lead to the edge of the membrane slipping into the metal case. As a result, the work will have to be redone. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to tighten the connecting bolts gradually to ensure even tension on the membrane. Problems arise when one bolt is fully tightened before working on the next one. At the same time, the edge of the membrane shifts and can slip off.

You will learn about common malfunctions and how to fix them in our material:

Another mistake is using sealant at joints. The use of such compounds leads to a reduction in friction between rubber and metal. As a result, the edge of the membrane moves and the joint density decreases, which can cause water leakage in the future.