Bleeder Valves

Bleeder valves are installed on hydropneumatic tank systems (not captive-air/bladder tank systems) to keep the tank from becoming waterlogged.  When the pump shuts off, a check valve holds the pressure in the tank while the bleeder valves slowly drip the water out of the pipe.  When the pipe above the bleeder valves are empty of water, air enters the pipe.   The next time the pump starts, that column of air is pushed into the tank - recharging the tank with air to make up with the air that had already been absorbed by the water in the tank.   

• Generally, you want the bleeder valves located 21' down from the spool - exceed that and you'll risk putting more air in the tank than the Air Volume Control can quickly discharge; less than that and you may find that the tank gets waterlogged easily.
• The bleeder valves should be located ABOVE the Static Water Level.  If the SWL is shallow, increase the diameter of the pipe above the bleeder valves to put a bigger column of air into the tank.
• Bleeder valves should be vertically slotted with a grinder so that, if they are pushed flush against the well casing, they still have room for the water to bleed out.  
• Bleeder valve tees should be pointing in the same direction.  If you point them in other directions, one is more apt to push the other tee into the side of the well casing - causing it to plug and not work properly.
• Bleeder valves must be installed in the correct direction,   The half-moon should be on the top side of the valve when looking at it.   The flapper should close when water rushes past it and open from the weight of the water when the pump shuts off.
• Always replace the bleeder valves when you pull the pump for another problem.   They're a low-dollar item and replacing them can buy time for the customer before they need a service call to replace them because they're plugged.
• Always tape the pump wire to the SIDE of the bleeder tee, not to the back of it.