So you've just moved into a new home, with recently installed new plumbing, but the water pressure is low... Don't fret - low water pressure could be caused by either poor community water supply from the municipality, or by gravity. The height of your building could be causing you to lose water pressure, as 0.434 psi is lost with every foot water is pushed up, and you will therefore lose around 8 psi in a double-story house when you try to pump water from the basement to the bathroom on the second floor. Today we will explain to you the benefits of, and how to install a water pressure booster pump.
Which Buildings Will Benefit From a Booster Pump?
Houses at the end of the community water supply line.
Homes high above the supply line or uphill from the pumping station.
Tall multi-family residential properties.
You will also need a water pressure booster pump if you:
are adding new plumbing fixtures, for instance when you add a new bathroom on the existing plumbing system and are on a gravity water system. Have a problem with the main line that runs between your home and the city's mains.
In some cases, homes require a water pressure booster pump because of their construction, location, or the fact that there is no high spot on which to install their water tanks.
How A Water Pressure Booster Pump Works
Most residential properties need a simple one-line jet pump. Potable water from the City's supply enters through the pressure regulator and into the home's supply line to a pump, which is connected to the water pressure booster pump.
The pump-boosted water is pulled into the home when a faucet is turned on, and the pressure in the water tank drops to draw more water from the City's supply line. This in turn boosts the pressure in the booster tank again.
In most cases, the water pressure booster pump will be set to provide 30-50 psi water pressure.
Water Pressure Booster Pumps For Multi-family Buildings
Booster pumps are often installed on the upper floors of multi-family residential buildings in order to improve the water pressure for the residents on the upper floors.
Depending on the height of the building, the pump may either be installed on ground level, or on one of the upper floors.
Installing a Water Pressure Booster Pump
1. Test the pressure
The first step to installing your water pressure booster pump is to test the water pressure by attaching a gauge to one of the outside spigots. If your meter reads anything below 30 psi, you would benefit from installing a water pressure booster pump.
2. Pressurize the tank
Before installing the tank, first pressurize it according to the instructions in the manual.
3. Drain the system
Open the highest faucet in the home, as well as an outside spigot, and then shut off your main water supply valve.
4. Find a location
Choose an installation location in a warm spot in your home, which never drops below freezing temperature. There should be a power outlet nearby, as well as a main water line which you can tap into.
5. Create a bypass
Next, you need to create a bypass on the intake line, which will allow the water to bypass the water pressure booster pump if need be. Open all the valves before soldering the system into place.
6. Install valves
Consider installing a doing a backflow preventer testing on the unit, and solder the adapters into place before connecting the intake line onto the check valve.
Once you have installed the pressure relief valve, install the pressure guage.
7. Service your water lines
Shut off all the ball valves before turning on an outside spigot and the main water supply. Now check all the connections to ensure there are no leaks.
Open the bypass valve and the highest faucet in the home in order to release any built-up air that may be trapped in the water lines.
After shutting down the bypass, open your service valve to allow water to flow through the unit.
8. Supply electricity to the unit
Open the unit's access cover so that you can attach the electrical wires to the pressure switch. Once you have connected and tightened the wires, you can replace the cover over the unit and manually adjust the unit's pressure.
That's it! It's that easy to install a water pressure booster pump. However, if you're unsure at all and would rather let the experts handle it, call Anta Plumbing