Pump to increase water pressure in an apartment: varieties

Causes of low blood pressure

Before purchasing a pump, a certain specification of the issue is required. Frequent questions are:

What to do if water is flowing, but there is actually no pressure?
What to do if water does not flow only to the top floor of the home; it is on the lower floors.

In the first case, the issue can be corrected by installing a pressure increase pump. The second problem cannot be corrected by a similar method, therefore, the solution is a pumping station, the purchase of which will need to be spent. The selection process is very complex and depends not only on the need for water, but also on some other components.

The problem is that before buying a pump you need to make sure that the source of absolutely all troubles is actually low pressure, and not clogged pipes . Because various deposits over time can significantly reduce their diameter, therefore, in this situation, even the pump may be powerless, since a change in the water supply will be required. If the issue is still low pressure, then a pressure pump will come in handy.

How to achieve perfect pressure in water pipes?

According to standards, the water pressure in an apartment should be 4 atmospheres , however, usually the differences can vary greatly. A coefficient of more than 6-7 negatively affects plumbing, leads to breaking of pipe joints, and low values are not favorable. If the pressure is less than 2 atmospheres, in this case the washing machine, dishwasher and instantaneous heater for supplying hot water are at risk of failure.

The following values are used as units for measuring pressure in pipes: 1 bar = 1.0197 atmospheres = 10.19 m of water column. The minimum pressure required for the operation of many home devices ranges from 1.5 to 2.4 atmospheres; in fire extinguishing systems the requirements are higher - at least 3 atmospheres.

If the indicators in the system are significantly lower , for example, because the apartment is on the final floor of the building, or because of a large amount of water, then there is a need to use specialized means (installations) that would maintain the required pressure level. In any case, the problem should be detailed first.

What problems can a pump help solve to increase water pressure in an apartment?

Before implementing this project, you need to make sure of its necessity, study the equipment market, and clarify the price level. This will help to more accurately determine the volume of financing and time costs.

Why is this technique used?

In autonomous water supply systems of personal cottages, appropriate user adjustments are provided. But in standard city apartments there are no such opportunities.

The greatest difficulties arise for owners of real estate on the upper floors of high-rise buildings

Utilities do not always fulfill their obligations exactly. Sometimes the power of centralized equipment is poorly calculated. In other cases, attempts are made to “save money” at the expense of ordinary consumers. Be that as it may, the result is that the pressure is too low:

It takes a long time to fill the bathtub.
Only in the absence of other residents of the house is it possible to take a shower.
Excessively low pressure causes washing machines to malfunction.
It is not enough for the productive operation of flow-type filters and reverse osmosis systems.

More serious difficulties arise when there is a separate heat supply system. Built-in sensors turn off gas boilers and electric boilers when the pressure drops below a certain level.

How to determine your actual needs

The list of possible troubles is clear. But first it is necessary to clarify the state of the existing engineering system.

The faucet divider must be cleaned of dirt.

It is possible to remove hard deposits from calcium salts using citric acid, or using specialized anti-scale products. Such deposits can gradually accumulate in pipes. Over time, they will reduce the working holes to a critical level, which will create a corresponding negative effect.

To check, you need to go to your neighbors. If they also experience a drop in blood pressure, you can try to use legal methods to influence the management company or direct service provider. If the result is negative, you will have to buy a pump to increase the water pressure in the apartment.

When the study does not reveal any deficiencies among neighbors, the condition of the pipeline is checked. In some cases, you will have to seek help from specialized companies.

Note! Replacing pipes is not always necessary. Sometimes problems can be solved by flushing.

Removal of blockages is carried out using specialized equipment

Criterias of choice

To consider suitable equipment samples, pay attention to the following factors:

A pressure drop below 1-1.5 atm is critical.
The norm for the operation of household appliances is from 2 to 3 atm.
The maximum threshold is from 4.5 to 5 atm.

Monitoring parameters using measuring devices

Note! If a pressure gauge is installed in the inlet line in combination with a filter, then a quick check of the pressure will become available, and the causes of mechanical clogging of the pipes will be eliminated.

Manual pump control is not convenient and less productive. The drive will not consume energy economically. But due to its relative simplicity, the overall reliability of such a system is higher and the cost is lower.

Automated analogues are more expensive. However, they provide not only rational use of energy resources:

Such a pump for increasing water pressure in an apartment performs its functions for a limited time, which increases its resource.
When fully equipped with sensors and emergency valves, pressure increases above a critical level will be prevented. It should be remembered that such differences can provoke maintenance and repair enterprises.

Pressure limiter regulator

To accumulate water and dampen pressure surges, some projects include special containers. This reserve will be useful in case of increased consumption and interruptions in the operation of centralized networks.
Systems of this type are convenient. They work independently, without settings or other user actions.

Automated system with flow filter and storage tank

Related article:

Why do you need a water pressure regulator? In a separate publication you will find useful information about this device: operating principle, purpose, prices, etc.

Pump classification

When selecting a device, it is necessary to take into account the parameters with which the unit is required - to increase weak pressure or to raise water from the lower floor to the upper one. The main option involves equipment that is small in power and size. It is simply defined in the pipeline. For the 2nd option, you will need a centrifugal apparatus with a hydraulic accumulator. Both of them perform work in 1 of 2 modes: The continuity of operation of the equipment is determined by the manual mode.

In order for the device to work for many years, it is necessary to prevent its overheating , therefore, it is necessary to turn off the automatic mode in a timely manner. In this case, the flow regulator implements control. If the truck tap opens and water starts flowing, the pump turns on. This order is the most advantageous, since the pump does not turn on when there is no water, and, therefore, is protected from dry operation, which leads to the longest service life of the device. It is also customary to systematize pumping units according to the housing cooling method. It is executed in 2 ways:

using an impeller;
thanks to water pumping.

If the cause of low pressure has been determined, and it is that the water simply does not rise to your floor, you need to purchase the most powerful device - a self-priming pumping station. Installation of the pump, which can be purchased, is carried out with or without a hydraulic accumulator. Numerous residents choose the second option, although experts insist on the first, even if the modification has a small tank.

What is a pressure boosting pumping station?

This is a simplified centrifugal device for improving water pressure; it operates with an attached hydraulic accumulator and a pressure switch, which has the function of controlling the entire system. With the support of such a system, water is collected and supplied to the tank. Even if the pressure switch turns off the pump, the consumer still has the opportunity to drink prepared water, which is comfortable in case of frequent shutdowns. The pressure will decrease. As soon as it drops to the set level, the relay will work again and the pump will turn on. You can understand that the larger the tank, the less the load, the longer its operating period.

Types of water pumps for pumping constant pressure water

Water supply pumps for constant pressure are divided into products with a “wet” / “dry” rotor:

Units with a wet rotor are almost silent. The equipment is introduced into the system through an insert into the water supply pipe and works as a flow pump. The devices operate automatically and do not require operator attention or additional settings. Lubrication of working units is carried out using liquid. Products with a “wet” rotor are used, as a rule, to service one water intake point, for example, a washing machine or dishwasher, since the increase in pressure is insignificant.
NPDV with a dry rotor are more powerful and have high performance. At the same time, the devices require regular maintenance (lubrication of working units) and have a higher noise level than similar units of the first type. Such pumps are capable of significantly increasing pressure and are used for large water supply systems with several water intake points.

Constant pressure pumps can be purchased for organizing high-quality water supply to an apartment, cottage, private house, as well as for arranging irrigation systems on a personal plot, pumping water from reservoirs, and other tasks (pumps located in another section of the site are used for pumping gas).

What to consider when choosing a unit for an apartment

When choosing equipment, you must definitely take into account several significant points:

a specific problem;
properties (throughput and generated pressure);
the authority of the manufacturer's company;
the dimensions of the building in which it is planned to install equipment;
the necessary amount that is planned to be spent on obtaining it.

Without knowing the required performance and pressure, it is very difficult to make the right choice. It is better to entrust all necessary calculations to a professional. Numerous companies that sell such equipment provide this service absolutely free.

If you just need to slightly increase the pressure in the system by about 1.5 atmospheres, then a small-sized pump , which you can simply buy and plug into a pipe, will fit perfectly. Some experts consider the expensive and powerful pump design to be unnecessary. In their opinion, the most rational option is a pair of devices of lower power that are connected directly in front of the disassembly points and home devices, the operation of which needs to be optimized.

Today, purchasing pumping equipment to increase water pressure is not difficult. Since it is freely presented in various shopping centers for household appliances, online stores, and construction markets. However, the best solution would be to visit a company salon, where there is the most extensive selection and there is the opportunity to receive information from a professional. After that, you will be provided with warranty service, which is especially important if the consumer purchases an expensive model.

What should a consumer consider when purchasing a pump?

When selecting, you need to focus on the following parameters:

The pressure created by the unit and its throughput.
Dimensions of the room or site on which the pumping equipment should be located.
Reliability of the pump from the manufacturer whose device the buyer wants to purchase.
Financial capabilities of the consumer himself.

Before you go to purchase the desired pump, you need to contact a specialist who will carry out the necessary calculations on the performance of the unit and the required pressure. Such things cannot be decided by eye. Most pumping equipment manufacturers provide such services almost free of charge.

If possible, then instead of one large pumping station, you can purchase several small units of lower power, which are usually turned on right in front of the liquid entry points and various household appliances; their operation should be optimized as much as possible.

You can purchase pumping units at construction markets and in various stores. It is better to go to special branded centers. There the choice is much wider, and it is possible to get free advice on pump parameters and their installation, as well as warranty service.

How to install an automatic water pressure booster pump with a hydraulic accumulator?

Installing a pump with a hydraulic accumulator is not particularly difficult. This will require approximately the same skills and equipment that are needed to install other types of pumping equipment. Schematically, the design of a booster pump can be represented in the form of the following steps:

Selection of a site for a hydraulic accumulator and pump.
Installation of a hydraulic accumulator.
Installation of pipes to connect equipment to the water supply.
Hanging on the wall.
Strengthening the pump and accumulator.
Automatic control of equipment operation.

Basically, a pump and hydraulic accumulator with a pressure switch involves a variation of the station. To implement the design of such a system of devices, it is first necessary to find a position for placing the tank. Certain craftsmen replace a hydraulic accumulator with a membrane with a large capacity, for example, a plastic tank of 200 liters. Instead of a relay, the tank is equipped with a float meter to ensure that it is automatically filled according to demand. This type of tank is located as high as possible: in the attic or on the top floor.

You immediately need to think not only about the volume, but also about the configuration of the container . A flat and small tank will take up less space than a classic tubular model. Although there are no specialized conditions for the configuration of the container. When choosing the position for the tank, it is necessary to calculate access to the tank/hydraulic accumulator or the likelihood of simply dismantling this component. This is necessary for performing technological maintenance, repair work or changing equipment.

Hydraulic accumulators are delivered ready for installation, but the tank needs to be prepared. There are holes in it for the supply and intake of water. You can also make your own shut-off valve to release water in an emergency. The water supply pipes to the tank and its intake into the water supply system are installed to one pipe.

In modern circumstances, it is more logical to use easy-to-install and durable plastic pipes for installing water supply systems. In order to prevent air from being sucked into the tank from the pump, and also to avoid water entering there when the equipment is turned off, it is necessary to install opposite valves on both pipes . Subsequently, pipes are installed, with the support of which the tank is connected to the water supply system.

After the reservoir or accumulator has been installed and the required water pipes have been laid, you can start installing a suction pump. As a rule, such a device is supplied disassembled. It is first assembled, and then installation begins. If you decide to fix the pump in the wall, you must first make markings for fasteners. Then it is suspended and connected to the water supply. Overall, this is not a very complicated procedure.

An important point is the direction of the water in the device . It is marked in the case with special marks. The pump must be installed in such a way that water moves from the tank to the water collection points. Similarly, the pump installation and switching diagram looks like this: hydraulic accumulator - pump - consumer. Then the pump is strengthened. All connections should be carefully sealed. After this, it is necessary to check the operation of the entire system.

Which is better?

The water pressure pump market is wide and diverse. It presents a huge number of products from manufacturers from various countries. The following modifications are better known:

Sprut 15WBX-8

The household silent pump is a pressure booster unit, offered at an affordable price, designed for installation in an apartment. Has the following data:

cooling method - dry rotor;
the operating procedure is automated;
lowest inlet pressure 0.3 bar;
working pressure, no more than 6 bar;
productivity no more than 0.09 kW;
efficiency is not less than 8 l/m;
the largest weight is 2.24 kilograms.

Aquatica 774715

The household automatic pump is designed for use as a pressure increasing unit in a private home and has an affordable price. Recommended for the purpose of maintaining the pressure required to ensure the functionality of geysers, washing machines and dishwashers. Characteristics:

cooling method - wet rotor;
the operating procedure is automated;
productivity no more than 0.09 kilowatt;
efficiency, not less than 10 l/minute;
the largest weight is 2.8 kilograms.

You can purchase a high-quality pump to increase water pressure in building materials markets, special outlets selling plumbing fixtures, and, in addition, with the support of functioning stores on the Internet. Wherever pumps for increasing water pressure are sold, a potential consumer can familiarize himself with the operating parameters and obtain qualified advice on absolutely all issues of interest to him.

Classification of high pressure water pumps

Manufacturers offer various types of equipment. When choosing a high-pressure water pump, you should have a good understanding of the existing varieties. We invite you to get acquainted with the existing classification of equipment presented by manufacturers according to various criteria.

For each apartment riser you should select a suitable pump

By type of control

Manufacturers offer devices with manual and automatic control. The first type of pressure boosting pump operates continuously. Such equipment requires constant monitoring. If you turn it off untimely, the unit may overheat and fail. In apartments located in multi-storey buildings, turning off the central water supply will lead to the so-called “dry running”, which will significantly reduce the life of the equipment.

The automatically controlled pump only works when water is supplied. The rest of the time the equipment is in standby mode, which significantly reduces energy costs. If the central water supply is turned off, the apartment’s equipment will remain operational, since there will be no “dry running”.

Automatic pumps do not create problems during operation