Inflatable bladders are used as storage tanks for water and other chemicals. Some inflatable water bladders are used by mobile businesses for portable water supplies. The bladder pumps remove the contents from the bladder using suction or air pressure, making the removal of the contents flow faster. Companies often use inflatable bladder pumps for high pressure washers or water reserves.

Bladder pumps vary in size and style depending on the manufacturer. However, there are two basic sizes of an inflatable bladder pump. If your company has a water bladder that holds 250 gallons or less, you need a small volume water bladder pump. If your business utilizes a large water bladder, a large volume pump is required. When buying replacement parts, bladder pump accessories the pumps themselves, consider the list below before making a major decision.

1. Choose a small volume pump for bladders that hold 250 gallons or less.

2. Find large volume inflatable bladder pumps for larger water bladders.

3. Locate replacement parts and accessories needed for a bladder pump.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find small volume bladder pumps

Small volume water bladders hold up to 250 gallons and are commonly referred to as ground water pumps. A small volume pump generally pumps about 100 gallon of water per second.

I recommend: Visit the GeoPump website to buy small volume inflatable bladder pumps online. Northern Tool has a wide variety of small and large volume pumps and transfers. Purchase or rent industrial small volume bladder pumps at Industrial Environmental Monitoring Instruments.

Purchase large volume inflatable bladder pumps

Bladder pumps that reach into and pump out water or chemicals from a water bladder that holds more than 250 gallon is a large volume pump. Some of the pumps use a large hose to reach the bottom of inflatable bladders while others pump air pressure into the bladder to pump the water out of the industrial inflatable bladder.

I recommend: Visit an inflatable bladder pumps manufacturer site to purchase large volume pumps from Solinst. Kiwi Pumps carries a variety of bladder pumps used in inflatable water bladders. Browse the list of inflatable pumps available at WaterTanks.com to find a water bladder pump that meets your company's needs.

Find bladder pump accessories and repair parts

Some bladder pumps are available in kits that include tubes and compressors. Some pumps are sold separately and require your company to purchase a few accessories to go with the pumps. Like other industrial equipment, bladder pumps may need replacement parts from time to time. Inflatable bladder pumps are designed to last for at least 120 years, depending on the frequency of use, but tubing and compressors may wear down over time requiring replacement parts.

I recommend: Browse through the replacement parts or kits at EnviroEquip to find everything you need for your inflatable bladder pump. Enviro-Tech Services provides replacement parts as well as battery packs and hoses for bladder pumps. Field Environmental Instruments carries tubing and compressors for bladder pumps.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always check that the inflatable pump is submersible before putting it into the bladder.