Low pressure in the water supply system can bring not only you crazy, but also expensive equipment out of order. Agree, both that, and another just need to be protected. Similar situations mostly oppress the owners of private houses, but also happen in apartments connected to centralized networks. How to deal with them?
Pumps to increase the pressure of water will permanently relieve these troubles. They will provide the operating parameters required for the normal functionality of household appliances. Compact, almost imperceptible devices will protect your nerves and extend the working life of the units.
The article presented to your attention sets out in detail the principles of equipment selection and the rules for its installation. Useful schemes will help those wishing to carry out work with their own hands or to control the hired plumbers. Photo-compilation and video supplement the information.
Pump operation to increase the pressure in the network
The problem of low pressure in the water supply system is solved using two types of devices: circulation and self-priming pumps. The former are simpler arranged and easier to install in the system.
A conventional circulation pump consists of a rotor, an impeller fixed to it, and an engine that rotates all this. Usually, if there is water in the system, but its pressure is weak, one or two pumps are sufficient.
The task of increasing the pressure in the water supply system is solved in two ways: by installing a circulation or centrifugal self-priming pump (click to enlarge)
But if water does not flow to the upper floors at all, you will have to put in a high-power pump station with a hydraulic tank. Such a device is simply installed as part of the plumbing system in a suitable location. The impeller rotates, giving the stream of water additional acceleration.
As a result, the pipes fill up faster with water, providing the necessary pressure level in the water supply. These are compact low-power devices designed to solve local problems. Suction pumps feature higher performance and more sophisticated design.
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Self-priming automatic pump
The specifics of the operation of the pump station
Suction capacity of surface pumps
Application to increase pressure on taps
Plumbing Service
Connection of two or more lines
Pressure generated by pumping equipment
Units with protective systems
In addition to a suction pump that can pump water to a considerable height, the system is also equipped with a hydraulic accumulator equipped with a special membrane.
The operation of this technique is automated, using a pressure switch. Water is first supplied to the storage tank and then fed to the water supply, providing the necessary characteristics inside the system.
Thus, if a centrifugal pump allows you to eliminate the problem in a particular area, then the suction equipment is used to regulate the entire water supply in the house or apartment.
Self-priming boost pumps are able to lift the liquid to a height of 12 m, while their capacity starts from 2 m3/ h
This schematic drawing allows you to get an idea of the procedure for connecting a pumping station with a hydraulic accumulator. This is an expensive system, but it provides stable pressure in the water system.
Increasing the pressure of the water pump operates as follows. When the water flow reaches 1.5 cubic meters, the lobe of the motion sensor changes position.
This causes the pump to turn on automatically.When the flow of water stops, the pump turns off. This type of equipment is used both in private cottages and in apartment buildings.
It is especially relevant in high-rise residential buildings, where it is impossible to provide normal water delivery to the upper floors without a special pump. The installation of one pump or even a special station with increased power can be a real salvation for residents of the upper floors.
Sometimes you have to use not one booster pump, but two or more. Such a need is sometimes faced by owners of houses in which the plumbing system was originally designed with errors.
In this case, you will have to calculate the cost of altering the water supply system (if such an opportunity exists at all) and the costs of installing additional equipment.
A small pumping station, installed in front of household appliances, will ensure a normal supply of water
It should be remembered that special types of equipment are intended for pumping hot water. They are made of special heat-resistant materials, therefore they are more expensive than simpler models, designed for contact only with cold water. There are universal booster pumps that are suitable for both cold and hot water.
The power of a conventional circulation pump is small, it consumes less energy than some incandescent lamps.
When it is included in the system, it is possible to achieve an increase in pressure by about 2-3 atmospheres. If a more serious correction of characteristics is required, preference should be given to more powerful equipment.
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Hot and cold water pumps
Booster Pump Installation Options
Work in tandem with gas equipment
Long life appliance
Circulation pumps have the ability to work “to a standstill”, ie they do not need to be turned off even if all the taps are closed and water is not drawn from the system. The supply pumps operate in approximately the same way to increase the water pressure. These devices are similar in design to circulation models.
If such a pump is turned off, water will circulate freely through its housing. As soon as the engine receives power, the pump turns on. The impeller starts to rotate and the water pressure in the system increases. If a choice arises between systems with automatic or manual control, usually preference is given first.
Comparison of the scheme of the water supply system with and without a booster pump allows us to more accurately represent the installation procedure for such equipment
It is more convenient to use such equipment, and it serves longer, because it does not work idle. It makes sense to take the pump on manual control only in those cases when it will be used either very briefly (temporary option) or extremely rarely (in summer, at the cottage, only on weekends).
The diagram illustrates the design of the pump with a wet rotor. Water washes the moving parts of the pump and absorbs excess heat.
The concept of dry and wet rotor refers to information about the cooling system of the device. In the first case, it is cooled by a stream of air, and in the second by a stream of pumped water.
A wet rotor pump is cheaper, but it serves less due to the negative effects of sludge accumulating during pumping of water on the working parts. Models with a dry rotor cope with their tasks more efficiently, and they have a longer life.
Rules for selecting unit power
The power of the device should be commensurate with the needs of the system. The lack of pressure is bad, but too much pressure is not needed.
If a too efficient pump is selected for the water supply, the pressure in the system will increase, and all its elements will be subjected to unnecessary additional load. This leads to rapid wear and frequent breakdowns.
Stable water pressure in the system should not be less than two atmospheres.This is enough for comfortable water procedures, as well as for starting an automatic washing machine.
Although some models are more demanding in relation to operating conditions. For example, if the house has a shower, hydromassage, jacuzzi or other similar devices, the pressure should be higher.
In this case, it is better to increase the pressure in the water system to 5-6 atmospheres. Certain types of equipment require even higher performance.
Therefore, the first step before installing a pressure boosting pump should be to study the documentation of household appliances. If some devices are planned to be purchased in the future, their characteristics also need to be taken into account.
To create a constant high pressure in the system, special pumping stations are used, including a pump and a hydraulic tank. Their operation is controlled by a pressure switch.
Exact calculations can be done by a specialist, but usually preliminary data made by eye is enough. To determine which pressure really exists in the system, you can use a regular liter can. The water is opened and measured, how many liters of water poured out of the tap in a minute.
Then you need to deal with current needs. If the inconvenience is due to the fact that when the faucet is open in the kitchen, it is difficult to take a shower due to low pressure, it is enough to use a conventional pump, which will increase the pressure on a couple of atmospheres.
But if the house has an automatic washing machine, shower or other equipment of this kind, you should study the technical documentation.
Each such consumer requires a certain pressure of water. Lack of sufficient pressure can lead to the operation of expensive equipment idle.
Household appliances, especially foreign ones, are not designed for such working conditions. Damage caused by the lack of normal pressure can be considered as a case that does not meet the warranty conditions.
You can focus on the maximum pressure indicators in the water supply system, indicated in the passports of the devices. If you have a large number of such equipment, you should consult an engineer.
When choosing a suitable water pump model for increasing pressure, you should also consider the needs of the equipment, the acquisition of which is planned in the future.
Lack of pressure in the water supply system can lead to premature wear and failure of expensive water heating and plumbing equipment
Principles for installing self-priming models
Installing a pump of this type is not very complicated. To do this, you will need about the same skills and tools that are needed to install pumping equipment of a different type.
Schematically, the installation of a booster pump can be represented in the form of the following steps:
- Choosing a place for the accumulator and pump.
- Accumulator installation.
- Installation of pipes for connecting equipment to the water supply.
- Hanging the pump to the wall.
- Tying the pump and the accumulator.
- Checking the operation of the equipment in automatic mode.
In fact, a pump and a hydraulic accumulator with a pressure switch are a variation of the pumping station. To implement the installation of such a system of devices, you first need to find a place to place the tank.
Some craftsmen replace the hydraulic accumulator with a membrane with a conventional large capacity, for example, a 200 liter plastic tank.
Instead of a pressure switch, the tank is equipped with a float sensor to ensure that it is automatically filled as needed. Such a tank is installed as high as possible: in the attic or on the top floor. Immediately you should think not only about the dimensions, but also about the configuration of the tank.
A flat and narrow tank takes up less space than a traditional cylindrical model. Although there are no special requirements for capacity configuration.When choosing a location for the tank, you should provide access to the tank / accumulator or the ability to easily dismantle this element. This is necessary to perform maintenance, repair or replacement of the device.
The photo shows the installation of check valves when installing a plastic tank, as well as the procedure for connecting the inlet and outlet pipes to the water pipe
Hydraulic accumulators are delivered ready for installation, but the tank should be prepared. Holes are made in it for the intake and intake of water. You can also make a separate shut-off valve to drain the water in an emergency. Pipes for supplying water to the tank and taking it into the water supply system are mounted to one water pipe.
In modern conditions, it is more logical to use easy-to-install and reliable plastic pipes for the installation of water pipes.
To prevent air from being pumped into the tank, and also to prevent water from entering there when the equipment is turned off, check valves should be installed on both pipes. After that, pipes are mounted with which the tank is connected to the water supply system.
Circulation pumps occupy a minimum of space, do not interfere with the maintenance of household appliances
After the tank or accumulator is installed and the necessary water pipes have been laid, installation of the suction pump can begin. Typically, such a device is delivered disassembled. It is first collected, and then proceed to installation.
If you decide to mount the pump on the wall, you must first make a marking for the fasteners. Then the pump is suspended and connected to the water pipes. In general, this is not a very complicated operation. An important point is the direction of the fluid in the pump. It is indicated on the case with special marks.
The pump should be installed so that the movement of water is from the tank to the points of analysis of water. Thus, the installation and connection diagram of the pressure boosting pump is as follows: accumulator-pump-consumer. Then the pump is strapped.
This is a detailed diagram of the connection of a pressure-boosting pump to the water supply system. For installation, the pipes are usually disconnected at the beginning of the system and the pump is connected to them using fittings
All connections must be carefully sealed. If threaded connections are used to connect the booster pump, a suitable sealant should be used: FUM tape, linen thread, etc.
The amount of sealant should be sufficient, but not excessive. The device is connected to plastic pipes by means of special fittings.
After that, you should check the operation of the entire system. If a tank with a float sensor was used, it is filled with water. Check not only the operation of the sensor. The tank that serves as the storage tank should be checked for leaks. If everything is in order, you can proceed to testing the operation of the pump itself.
The pump must be connected to the mains. It is recommended that the pump switch lever be turned to the automatic mode position. It remains to open the nearest water tap and observe the operation of the device. If the installation is carried out correctly, the pump should automatically turn on, and the water pressure will increase markedly.
In this way, the installation of pressure boosting circulation pumps is carried out. For them, choose a suitable place in the water supply, and cut it there. In this case, it is also extremely important to correctly connect the pump, taking into account the direction of fluid flow. If the position of the device is incorrect, the pump will still allow a flow of water.
Connection diagram of the circulation pump to the water system. Installation of such a device is very simple, but it is important not to confuse the direction of water flow
But his work will be extremely inefficient, since the device simply will not function.The instructions and on the casing indicate in detail the correct position of the pump.
After installation, the pump is turned on and checked for proper operation. If the water pressure at the nearest point of water intake has increased, then the installation is completed correctly.
A small pressure pump is simply cut into the system. Usually it’s enough to remove at the beginning of the water supply a piece of pipe of the appropriate length
Installing a system with a hydraulic accumulator looks a bit more complicated. First you need to deal with the device of the entire structure.
The pump is connected to the hydraulic accumulator using special hoses. Then connect the pressure switch, with which the equipment will turn on and off.
This figure shows in detail the principle of operation of the pump with a hydraulic accumulator and the order of its connection. The pump fills the tank and then shuts off.
Special attention deserves the configuration of the relay. Before starting work, it is recommended that you carefully study the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.
If there is not enough knowledge and skills for high-quality installation and configuration of equipment, it is better to contact a specialist for advice or completely entrust him with the performance of all work.
Some useful tips
Not always to solve the problem with a low water pressure in the system, a booster pump is indispensable. To begin with, it does not hurt to diagnose the condition of water pipes. Cleaning them or completely replacing them can restore normal pressure without additional equipment.
To understand that the problem is the poor condition of the water pipes, sometimes it’s enough to ask the neighbors who live in apartments on the same floor or higher. If they have normal pressure, you almost certainly need to clean the pipes.
If everyone has the same picture, there may be more serious problems regarding the entire water supply system of the house and even the district. In high-rise buildings, sometimes water simply does not flow to the upper floors. It requires high-power and quite expensive equipment.
It makes sense to cooperate with other residents to share costs. A good idea is to demand a solution to the problem from the organization that receives payment for water supply, since it is it that must ensure the supply of water to the consumer.
Lack of water on the upper floors is a violation of fire safety requirements. When communicating with a water service provider, you should pay attention to this point and mention the possibility of a lawsuit in view of non-compliance with legal regulations.
The installation of equipment in an apartment building is best entrusted to a regular plumber of the management company. He is better acquainted with the system and will be liable in the event of leaks or breakdowns caused by poor-quality installation of equipment.
Cognitive video on installing a boost pump:
Many models of boost pumps can easily be installed independently. Even a novice plumber will cope with this task without any problems. But the level of comfort with a normal pressure of water in the system will increase very noticeably.
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