Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

we had a friend with a similiar predicament. He just installed a shallow
well pump inline to a 50gallon storage tank. Set the pressure where you
want.

s


"Beachcomber" wrote in message
...


I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

On Jan 13, 6:30 pm, (Beachcomber) wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber

Sorry - I have to ask - What does the city say about it? My city
water is 89 psi, and I have a friend in another state that has to have
a regulator to get his water down to a reasonable pressure.

JK

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

Beachcomber wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber



A booster pump and tank may be the answer
as Barker suggested.

I would do some more investigating before
installing it though.

The trickle when the wash m/c operates makes
me suspicious that there is a flow problem as
well as pressure loss. If so, a pump may not be
able to cope.

Ask the city if this is a known problem there.
Ask neighbors if they experience exactly the same
conditions you do.

Look for evidence of galvanized iron piping
in the service; even a short nipple can create
a terrible blockage.

Consult with the city before installing a pump.
They may have prohibitions on pumps or requirements,
such as backflow valves. Do lots of homework on this
project first.

Jim

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

"Beachcomber" wrote in message
...


I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

Have you talked to the city about this? That's the first step. Maybe
they're unaware of a pumping station or main line problem.

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

"Beachcomber" wrote in message
...


I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.
Beachcomber


First, I'd find out why it is so low. Do you have low static pressure (like
when noting is being used) or does it drop once a faucet is opened? If the
latter, it may be the feed pipes are old and clogged.

More information is needed. Type of pipe? Size? Pressure at nearby
houses? Have you talked to the town water department? They may be unaware
of your problem and can help if you tell them.

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

Big_Jake wrote:

On Jan 13, 6:30 pm, (Beachcomber) wrote:

I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber


Sorry - I have to ask - What does the city say about it? My city
water is 89 psi, and I have a friend in another state that has to have
a regulator to get his water down to a reasonable pressure.

JK


These high pressures are frequently the result of a city water
distribution system that didn't keep pace with development. They're now
undersized. The static pressure is high, at times of high load the
pressures drop quite a bit. And, water heaters get replaced a bit more
often.

Living with a well, I found that plumbing with 1" copper helps a lot.
My pressure tank is between 45 and 65 psi. The larger pipe means that
there is little distribution pressure drop.

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

Boden wrote:


These high pressures are frequently the result of a city water
distribution system that didn't keep pace with development. They're now
undersized. The static pressure is high, at times of high load the
pressures drop quite a bit. And, water heaters get replaced a bit more
often.

Not necessarily, using higher pressure on mains (not just water) and a
regulator at the point of utilization is a classic design method to
insure there is always constant pressure at the point of utilization.


Living with a well, I found that plumbing with 1" copper helps a lot. My
pressure tank is between 45 and 65 psi. The larger pipe means that
there is little distribution pressure drop.

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

Beachcomber wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber


Did you ask/complain to the city? My house was also on an old dead end
line with similar issues. Our water system is owned by a water company
that serves the region. It took some calling to the local town council
and water company and getting the neighbors to do the same before they
replaced the line.

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

On Jan 14, 7:15*am, George wrote:
Boden wrote:

These high pressures are frequently the result of a city water
distribution system that didn't keep pace with development. *They're now
undersized. *The static pressure is high, at times of high load the
pressures drop quite a bit. *And, water heaters get replaced a bit more
often.

Not necessarily, using higher pressure on mains (not just water) and a
regulator at the point of utilization is a classic design method to
insure there is always constant pressure at the point of utilization.





Living with a well, I found that plumbing with 1" copper helps a lot. My
pressure tank is between 45 and 65 psi. *The larger pipe means that
there is little distribution pressure drop.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yep. It is impossible to design a city distribution system for equal
pressure at all elevations. Then there is the desire for high
pressure at hydrants for fire suppression vice reasonable pressure in
a residence.

Thus it is, at least here, up to the people living in the excessive
high pressure zones to install a pressure reducer.

Harry K

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

On Jan 13, 4:30*pm, (Beachcomber) wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. * The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. *It's low coming into the house *(20 psi or
so...) *Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. *Showers have no power. *Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. *Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

*Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber

Assuming you measured the pressure coming as static, i.e., nothing
being used:

The 20psi coming in is suspicious. I can't feature any city,
town...etc. supplying pressure that low. I would first check the
pressure at the meter. If low there, then the city (or whoever is
supplying the water) has a major problem. If high there, then you
have a serious flow restriction in the line between the meter and the
house.

Harry K

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

"Harry K" wrote in message
...
On Jan 13, 4:30 pm, (Beachcomber) wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber

Assuming you measured the pressure coming as static, i.e., nothing
being used:

The 20psi coming in is suspicious. I can't feature any city,
town...etc. supplying pressure that low. I would first check the
pressure at the meter. If low there, then the city (or whoever is
supplying the water) has a major problem. If high there, then you
have a serious flow restriction in the line between the meter and the
house.

Harry K

--

well, it's possible. my local town provides me with pressure at about 20 or
sometimes even less. the local tank for providing water is in the next
property. turns out that since the line was put in before the utility was
town owned, they plumbed my line before instead of after the pressure pump
by mistake. i thus only get a gravity feed. when the tank is full, i get
higher pressure than when it's low.

here's what they're replacing it with: http://chaniarts.blogspot.com

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

On Jan 14, 8:31 am, Clark wrote:
Big_Jake wrote in news:a9a66249-98cf-402c-86bd-
:



On Jan 13, 6:30 pm, (Beachcomber) wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

This causes all sorts of incoveniences. Showers have no power. Basin
faucets go to a trickle if the washing machine kicks on, etc.

I know there are various booster pumps available. Are there any
alternatives? I was thinking of some sort of bladder tank arrangement
with a pump similar to well-water systems or possibly a standpipe...

Wondering if anyone can recommend the best solution, what worked for
them, and discuss pros and cons.

Beachcomber

Sorry - I have to ask - What does the city say about it? My city
water is 89 psi, and I have a friend in another state that has to have
a regulator to get his water down to a reasonable pressure.

JK

Ummmm, Jake, at 89 psi you need a regulator also...and then the system will
need an expansion tank.

Water companies use of pressure to solve problems with system capacity pushes
costs up for the homeowners. We end up paying twice: once for operating a
distribution system at higher pressure and again for stepping that pressure
down.

--
---
there should be a "sig" here

They require a regulator at 90 psi. I haven't had any issues, but the
water main has broken in the street 3 times in the last 4 years. :-)

JK

Low Water Pressure - City Water
 

Beachcomber wrote:
I have a raised-elevation freestanding house on city water at the end
of the line with a long driveway. The problem is low water pressure
throughout the house. It's low coming into the house (20 psi or
so...) Otherwise..., the plumbing is OK.

Here's the first decision tree:

Was the water pressure ever adequate?

If yes, did you change anything?

If no, it's the city's problem.