All You Need to Know About Booster Pumps
Low water pressure can make it a lot harder to do things in your home, even taking a shower can be a laborious task. When we use our showers and taps so often, we want them to work as well as possible and if there isn’t a strong water pressure, it can really affect our quality of living at home. Everything from showering, to washing dishes, to doing laundry will be affected by poor water pressure.
However, if this is the case, it can be improved by a booster pump which will help to pressurise the water so you can go back to enjoying your showers again with better water quality. Here, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about water pumps so you can decide if they’re the right choice for your home.
What affects low water pressure?
If you do experience a low water pressure, you may be wondering what is causing it so that you can find ways to make it better. Here are some of the factors that may cause your water pressure to be low:
Gravity – If water needs to travel upwards to make it to your taps and shower heads then this is likely going to cause a reduction in water pressure. This is particularly common in homes that are several storeys high or if the water is being pumped uphill to your home. Because one gallon of water weighs 8 pounds, gravity wants to send it right back where it came from. Skyscrapers, apartment buildings, homes and businesses with multiple storeys require a large booster pump to move water up many storeys.
Distance from the water source – Depending on where your water source is and how far it has to travel, your water pressure may be significantly lower. The size of the pipes will also affect your pressure and if your home is at the end of a water supply line, you may suffer a loss in pressure.
Low city water pressure – Even if your property is below the water source and very close to it, you may still experience low pressure. This is simply because some area’s water plants have low pressure, so everyone in your area will likely have the same issue unless they have a booster pump.
Additional water systems – While adding additional water systems can help give you fresh, pure water, these can often lower your water pressure.
Plumbing problems – A range of plumbing problems can lead to low water pressure. This may be clogged pipes, leaking pipes or damaged pipes. If you have ruled any other potential problems you may need to contact a plumber to diagnose any problems in your plumbing system.
What is a water booster pump?
If you have decided that your property needs something to help improve the water pressure, you may need to look into investing in a booster pump. A booster pump acts like an intermediary between the water source and endpoints like taps, faucets and showers. A booster pump takes in water from the water source and pressurises it to get the desired pressure at the end points. It is essentially an additional pump for your water system that increases pressure and flow. It gives you the extra boost to bring your water pressure up to the desired level so that you are able to use the taps and showers in your home effectively.
How does a water booster pump work?
A booster pump increases water pressure and improves the flow rate. A booster pump works similarly to a fan by an impeller spinning round inside to increase the movement of water. A booster pump consists of a motor, impellers, an inlet and outlet and a pressure or flow sensing device. Water comes through the inlet and is propelled by the impeller before exiting through the outlet.
Who needs a water booster pump?
A range of properties may benefit from installing a booster pump into their water system. They can be added in households and commercial buildings such as hotels, office blocks and multi storey homes or apartments. The best way to figure out if you need a booster pump before you call a professional is by placing a 1 litre measuring jug under your tap or shower and turning the tap on full. Time how long it takes to fill the jug. If it takes longer than 6 seconds then you have low water pressure. A water specialist will be able to install a booster pump for you to quickly solve the issue.
Water tank installation
It’s best to contact a professional water specialist to install the booster pump for you as it will be much quicker and you won’t run into any complications. The installation will take around an hour and can cost you around £50-£100. The pump will be installed just after the main water shutoff valve or somewhere else that is easy to access. It needs to be easy to access in case of an emergency. The pump will be mounted onto a solid base away from pipes because they tend to vibrate a lot and can cause damage if they are vibrating the piping. The water will be turned off, a section of pipe cut off and any remaining water removed and then the pump will be installed into the gap.
How to maintain your booster pump
Once your booster pump is installed, it will have a lot of water passing through it and therefore requires maintenance to ensure it is clean and functioning and the water quality stays high. You can get a regular service of your booster pump or hire a water specialist company to clean and disinfect the pump for you as well as pipework chlorination. The company that installed it will likely offer this service. A regular service of your booster pump will reduce the risk of breakdown, increase the efficiency of the pump, decrease the risk of injury from pump malfunction, provide higher building user satisfaction, reduce noise and vibration from the pump and rectify any small problems before they turn into bigger ones. When you get your booster pump serviced it is a good time to get water tank repairs and your water tank chlorinated and disinfected.
It’s a good idea to regularly check these aspects of your booster pump:
– A visual inspection of the shaft seal to look for any leakage
– A visual inspection of the pumps pressure and discharge gauges to look for any abnormal readings
– Check the pumps foundation to ensure the frame is secure and that any loose bolts are tightened
– Check vital components of the pump for any rust or other degradation
During a service of your booster pump, the engineers will check:
– Water tank valve ball
– Inlet pipework and valves
– Outlet pipework and NIR/Valves
– Pressure vessels check tank pressure check
– Gauge check
– Pressure sensor check
– Start and stop pressure
– Speed control system
– Rotation of motors
– Running amps
– Earth and bonding
If you are experiencing excessive vibration or excessive noise from the pump you may need to get an engineer to conduct a service to check there isn’t an issue. It’s also a good idea to call a professional if you experience low pressure, no water pressure, rust or degradation, leaking from the pipework or an increase in energy bills. These all signify an issue and you may need water tank repair.
H2O Comply Limited: Water booster pump commissions
At H2O Comply Limited, we’re specialists in all things water. If you are looking for an experienced company to install a water booster pump, we’re on hand to help. We work quickly, efficiently and professionally to get any job done – big or small. We offer water tank repair, plumbing services, facility management services, water tank maintenance, pipework chlorination and much more. We aim to provide the best services available to improve your water quality so that you can enjoy it whether at home, in the workplace or in a commercial building. For more information visit our website.
