How to best drain bladder pump without drain available?

[amberkshire]

I am thinking of putting in a bladder tank and pump. We do not have any sort of drain in the basement (thanks to the last owners). What's the best way to drain the bladder tank? The reason we are replacing it is because it's full of water and kicking the pump on/off. We were quoted $800+ by the plumber to do this, but we can get the parts for less than half of that. Any other tips? Thanks!

 

[johnjh2o]

We use utility pumps.
http://www.acehardware.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1260936

John

 

[amberkshire]

I assume you use the utility tank to just drain whatever water comes out of the bladder, right?

 

[johnjh2o]

Yes the pump is just used to drain the tank. But if the cost of the pump is to high for the amount of use you will get out of it. You could drain it into a bucket and cart it out.

John

 

[amberkshire]

I was just worried that it would drain too quickly and a bucket wouldn't work. We have a drain (sink) right next to the well. I even thought about using a garden hose or something, but I wasn't sure about sizing. Thanks!

 

[Valveman]

The problem is that sometimes the bladder will seal over the water discharge hole and will not let the water out of the tank, even after you cut the pipe. Sometimes you have to poke a hole in the side of the tank to get the water out. This makes a mess and is hard to attach a hose to drain the water. But a waterlogged 80 gallon tank can weigh 640 pounds until you get the water drained out.

 

[speedbump]

Use an air compressor on the schrader valve and leave a faucet open on your laundry tub. (Cold Water) If water comes out for a while, there's a good chance this will empty it. If not, you can put a schrader valve somewhere in the plumbing and push it backwards out of the schrader valve on the tank through a piece of plastic tubing. You will have to remove the valve stem naturally. A small hose clamp and the tubing should drain it into the laundry tub.

 

[Valveman]

Pushing it back out the Schrader valve is a good idea. With an 80 gallon tank you should probably go take a long lunch and come back later to see if it is empty.