increase water pressure
increase water pressure
(OP)
Hi everyone this is my first time asking a question.I recently discovered a problem in an apartment building of mine.The water pressure on the third floor apartment is extremely low and i do not want to purchase a $895 booster kit just to increase the pressure. The pressure reducing valve works and all the taps under the sink are fully open.The pressure on the 1st floor apt is fine but the floors above the water barely flows.what are the possible sites that i can get a inexpensive (thing a ma gig)or any other possible solutions to fixing this problem.By the way the house was built in the 1980s.





RE: increase water pressure
Pressure reducing valve? it may need adjustment or replacement. Get a pressure gauge to check the adjustment, home depot will have one for about $10 to $20 that will hookup to a hose bib. Pressure reducing valves will only last about 10 to 20 years before they need to be rebuilt or replaced, but sometimes just adjusting the valve will get it working again.
You want at least 20 psi on the third floor for the fixtures to operate properly, also check the screens for debris.
Remember for every foot of elevation the pressure will decrease by 0.43 psi so the third floor will have pressure about 10 psi lower than the first floor.
Hydrae
RE: increase water pressure
RE: increase water pressure
1. How long have you had this problem? Is it a recent problem or an old problem?
2. What are the pressures on each floor?
3. Does the water pressure in the building drop when the water is flowing?
4. What size is the pipe coming into the building?\
5. How many apartments? How many floors?
RE: increase water pressure
RE: increase water pressure
Measure pressure at the source (meter) before any valves.
Then determine height of each floor above the source.
Then make your own diagnosis or come back with that information and we can easily help. What I am saying is anyalyze the whole system so that you know what is going on. If a component is then malfunctioning you will find it. If you must have a booster you will then become convinced that you need it.
Remember as someone already stated, multiply height by .433 to obtain the pressure loss for that height. A 100 foot high elevation would have 43 psi pressure loss to the top just for the elevation, plus the pipe/fitting losses.
PUMPDESIGNER
RE: increase water pressure
RE: increase water pressure
RE: increase water pressure
Is the pressure low when you first turn on a tap? If the pressure builds up to main pressure less elevation difference when there is no flow and drops quickly when the tap is opened then you have a blockage in the pipe inside the building.
What is the pipe material? If the building is old and still has lead pipes then you most likely have corrosion inside the pipes that has restricted the flow.
If this is the case the replacement of the pipe is required. Replacing the pipe is not very expensive; it’s the patching the walls that costs all the money.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com