There are several factors that can cause low water pressure and in the following examples a pressure pump can help to alleviate it.
– Gravity
Like everything on earth, water is affected by gravity. That is why rivers will always flow downstream and water in a pond or swimming pool will always settle perfectly level. Pure water weighs one kilogram for every litre and to move water up an incline will require energy.
If your water source, like a rainwater tank, is at the same level as the tap that you want to draw the water from, the water won’t move. Water pressure is created by increasing the height of your water source. For every ten metres off the ground, roughly one bar of pressure is created because the water wants to flow down. However, it isn’t always practical to move your water source higher, and this is where a pressure pump can be installed to push the water at the required pressure. The right pressure pump can even push the water several stories high!
– Distance from the water source
Water is affected by friction on the inside of the pipe, and the further the water needs to flow through a specific piece of pipe, the more friction will reduce the flow and pressure. If your water source is far away from where you need it, it is advisable to use as large a diameter of pipe as possible. To move water over longer distances and at a higher pressure, a pressure pump can be installed to increase the flow and pressure.
– Size of water pipes
If water pipes are too small, lower volumes of water will run through and more pressure will be lost due to the friction of the water moving through the pipeline. One way to reduce the friction is to use a larger diameter pipe. This will help to increase the flow of water, but it won’t increase the pressure, because the pressure of free-flowing water is only affected by gravity. To increase the pressure in your pipe system, a pressure pump can be installed to push the water at a greater pressure than gravity or pipe diameter can provide on their own.
– Low city water pressure
Due to various factors outside our control the water we receive from our municipality may be under low pressure. This situation can however be improved by installing a water tank and pressure pump system. What this system does is it continually collects the low-pressure water from the municipality, stores it, and boosts the water pressure when you open a tap. The reason why a tank is needed in this system is because your pressure pump can’t make water. It needs a good, consistent volume of water to operate.
– Adding fixtures to your existing system
You may experience low water pressure because you are using water in more places at once than your system was originally designed for. For example, you are irrigating your garden while doing the washing and taking a shower. This will decrease the water pressure across your entire system. This situation can be improved by installing the right pressure pump to meet the higher demand placed on your water system.
– Plumbing problems
Plumbing problems like clogged, corroded, or leaking pipes, faulty pressure valves, faulty water meters or cut-off valves will however not be solved by installing a pressure pump. These problems must be eliminated before installing a pressure pump to ensure that you are not focusing on the wrong solution to your problem.
Luckily the professionals at Pascali are standing by to assist you with any questions you may have.
