Bladder Tank vs. Pressure Tank: What are the Differences? (2023)

There are three types of pressure vessels:standard stainless steel tanks, bladder tanks and membrane tanks.Membrane tanks are still new and have rarely been used until now, but this is not the case with stainless steel tanks and bladder tanks.

Standard stainless steel tanks have been used so much that they have become synonymous with the termpressure tank. We also use this term in the title of this article.

However, bladder pressure tanks outperform ordinary stainless steel tanks in terms of overall performance, size and cost of production, which is why they are so common in homes today.

Let's take a closer look at why that is by looking at the differences between the two and providing a general overview of both types of containers.

The difference between a bladder tank and a pressure tank

The main difference between Astandard stainless steel pressure tankand the bladder pressure reservoir is an additional balloon system in the latter.

The differences between the two go beyond the bladder, but by simply adding a bladder, the system sees a huge performance boost.

The first big difference is the size of the bladder reservoir. Because the expansion tank does not require the entire tank to build up pressure, it allows for a significant reduction compared to a standard stainless steel pressure tank.

Size is important due to the resistance of both tanks. Even though the interior of a typical stainless steel tank is spacious, it iswithdrawalit is much weaker and less effective than rebuilding the bladder reservoir.

The next difference concerns maintenance. The bladder tank requires significantly less maintenance than a standard pressurized tank.

The stainless steel tanks are inclinedoverflow. Because in a typical tank, water and air are in contact with each other all the time, air can eventually escape through the water, and regular monitoring is necessary to prevent this.

Bladder-type pressure vessels are not affected by this problem. The bladder plays a key role in overflow prevention by keeping water from coming into contact with air.

Finally, while stainless steel and galvanized metal are corrosion resistant, they are not completely corrosion resistant. Eventually the steel will start to rust, especially when the water is rich in metals and water quality will drop.

Even if the metal components of the diaphragm tank corrode, the water will never come into contact with the metal, so the risk of contamination is virtually non-existent. In addition, because the water never touches the metal, the corrosion process in a bubble tank is slower compared to a standard tank.

What is the purpose of the bladder tank?

The purpose of the bladder tank is to store and produce pressurized water for homes and appliances that require electricity or water as a source. This is done by using the space inside the tank to create compressed air. This compressed air then pushes the water to a pressure of 20-40 psi, depending on configuration and intended use.

Galvanized pressure tanks, although larger, are less effective at creating pressure due to the amount of water needed to create the compressed air in the tank.

The more water a pressure vessel loses, the weaker the air pressure is. The air pressure in the bladder pressure tank remains constant due to the negative pressure created by the tank and balloon.

Another important thing to note is the compact nature of diaphragm pressure tanks, which, thanks to their size, allows them to be used for many purposes. Someone who lives in a smaller house and has less space will have a hard time finding the right amount of space for an entire galvanized pressure vessel.

Related Comparison: Expansion tank vs pressure tank

Do all pressure vessels have bubbles?

There are three common variants of the pressure vessel:

• standard stainless steel,
• cyst,
• diaphragm pressure.

The first, as we said, has no bladder. and neither is the membrane.

The diaphragm pressure vessel serves as an intermediate solution for the diaphragm and stainless steel variants. The volume of water and air entering the membrane system is greater than that of a standard tank, but this means that the inside of the tank is inaccessible.

Although a membrane tank uses a bladder-like system, if the internal parts of a pressure tank become damaged, there is no way to repair them.

However, this is the only drawback of the membrane tank. It is currently the most efficient pressure vessel and requires the least maintenance of the three.

Low maintenance requirements due to sealed internals and virtually no bladder. Instead of a bladder, the membrane pressure tank has an internal rubber lining that separates air and water.

This rubber liner acts like a bladder in a way, but its connection to the tank is permanent. This particular item is not interchangeable.

Can the bladder in a pressure vessel be replaced?

The bladder can be replaced with a bladder-based pressure reservoir. Most if not all bladder reservoir components can be repaired or replaced if required.

However, there is always the possibility that your tank is an old model, which means there will be no replacement bladders available in the market. Additionally, if you have an old system, investing in a new one may be a smarter decision, as the price of a new bladder can be as high as $300.

Additionally, since replacing a bladder is not an easy task and may require the services of a professional plumber, a new tank can also be the most economical step. Of course, you will also need a plumber to install the new tank, but at least it will last longer as it is a brand new system.

How much does a bladder tank cost?

Depending on where you look, bladder tanks can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500, but they average $500. Traditional pressurized tank systems are less expensive, while membrane systems are more expensive than bladder systems, so bladder tanks can be said to be a middle ground between the two.

How long does a bladder reservoir last?

Typically, a bladder tank will last 5 to 7 years, depending on its use. Since its components are mostly replaceable, you can extend the life of your tank by only investing in problematic parts.

Stainless steel tanks have a slightly longer lifespan because they don't have a bladder to damage, but ultimately it dependshow well you keep them. Membrane pressure tanks last longer because they are made of high-quality materials.

There are tricks used in creating a bladder reservoir to extend its life. For example, the tank's ability to hold a significant amount of water allows fewer pumps to be used and the tank to run.

The placement of the tank also plays an important role in its life expectancy. For example, a well-grounded system can withstand less than a home pressure bladder tank.

A pressure vessel used outdoors will always degrade more quickly due to the accumulation of minerals and contaminants which can damage the pressure vessel over time.

application

In short, bladder tanks are better than standard stainless steel tanks.

The former do not use the contact of air with water to create pressure. Instead, a balloon called a bladder applies pressure.

This difference in design makes bladder tanks more efficient and compact than stainless steel tanks. In addition, they completely eliminate the possibility of overflow, their corroded parts do not come into contact with water and corrode more slowly.

A bladder tank can last 5 to 7 years, but since you have a new system, you can replace the bladder and the inside of the tank, which will extend the life of the system. With stainless steel systems, this is simply not possible.