There are many choices available when you start looking at pressure pumps, but it is important to identify your specific need before committing to one. Here are some tips to keep in mind when selecting the right pump for your requirements.
The first step in selecting the correct pressure pump is to know what it is going to be used for.
Over what distance will the water be moved?
The distance that the water needs to be pumped will have an influence on the size of pump you choose. The further it has to go, the stronger the pump has to be.
What is the size of the pipe through which the water will be pumped?
The diameter of the pipe has an influence on the pressure and flow. Because the inside of the pipe causes friction that restricts flow, a larger pump may be needed to overcome the friction.
Is the water source above or below the pump?
If you are pumping water from a stream or pond for irrigation you may have to consider a pump that has a suction capability, like a jet pump, that can lift water from the source to the pump before sending it on through your water system.
Know the extent to which the pressure pump needs to work
Does your house have multiple stories? You will have to look at a pump with a high enough head, or the height you need to push the water, because water is affected by gravity like everything else, and your pump should be able to overcome that.
How many outlets must the pump be able to supply at once?
Look at your household water use. Is someone going to be in the shower while the washing machine is running? Do you want to irrigate your garden while running a bath? This will have an influence on the amount of water the pump needs to be able to supply.
How much pressure is needed?
Different designs of pumps have different pressure capabilities. Do you need a lot of pressure to operate your pop-up irrigation system, or do you need medium pressure for normal household use?
These are all important questions and factors that will influence the type and size pressure pump that needs to be purchased. The further the water needs to travel, the more robust the pump needs to be. Water weighs a lot and the longer the distance & the steeper the height the water needs to travel, the more pressure is put on the pump.
Secondly, you need to consider the following when purchasing a pressure pump:
– Flow rate: How much water can the pressure pump produce?
– Pressure boost: How much pressure can the pump add to the existing water pressure?
– Power: How much power does the pump require to operate?
All this information is available in flow charts and graphs that are unique for every pump. The professionals at Pascali can assist you in making the right choice for your application. To help them to help you make the right choice, be prepared to answer as many of the questions listed above as possible.
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.
Installation of a water pump at your home does not need to be a complicated task, but because a water pump combines electricity and water, the utmost care should be taken to ensure that the installation is done safely. You will need some basic technical and hands-on skills to install a water pump.
If you are in any doubt whatsoever, please consult a professional installer, especially if your situation is more complicated, or if you live in an estate with shared services and maintenance on outside fixtures.
If you are confident that you have the required plumbing and electrical skills, there are some details you must keep in mind while planning and installing your pressure pump system.
Installation starts with the water tank or static water source.
Pressure pumps are always used in combination with a water tank or water source because a pump cannot increase the water supply provided by your municipal supplier. (If your municipal supply is only seven litres per minute, (for example) and your pump is designed to deliver more than 15 litres per minute, the motor will be strained – reducing its service life – and the results will be disappointing.)
Decide on the position of your water tank or static water source.
The location of the water tank will depend on the space you have available, the distance from the nearest water pipe/ gutter pipe and power supply.
Distance is important, because pressure and flow is affected by friction inside the pipes, so the further the pump has to push the water to where it is needed, the lower the flow and pressure will be.
You will also need a power supply for the pump’s motor, so the distance to the pump will affect the length of cable you need to install, and this will influence the installation cost.
Also understand the size of your water tank which can range from small to massive storage tanks. The tank should always be installed on a sturdy, smooth and perfectly level surface that won’t collapse under the weight of the water. Remember that a full 5 000 litre water tank will weigh more than five tons! It is a good idea to raise the base of the tank a little off the ground so that the pump can be installed slightly lower than the tank’s outlet. This will help to keep the pump primed, or full of water, and prevent it from running dry and possibly causing damage.
How is the water tank filled?
In simple terms your water tank is kept full of low-pressure water coming in through a simple float valve connected to the municipal supply/alternative static water source which closes when the tank is full. When water is extracted, this valve opens to refill the tank again in the same way a toilet’s flush system works. The pressure pump uses this water to feed into your house at a higher pressure. The pump switches on and off automatically as water is used.
What size water tank should you get?
The size of the water tank will depend on your average water consumption and can range from a small 750 litre tank up to 10 000 litres, depending on if you want to also harvest rainwater. This can be determined on your water reading meter if you want to draw from municipal lines.
Determine and install electrical components.
Now that you have identified and prepared the location of our tank, and there is enough space for your chosen pressure pump and tank, you must install the correct electrical cable and isolator switch for the size motor you plan to install, keeping in mind the power rating of the motor.
Keep in mind the cable sizing, as the kilowatts of the pump you select will determine what cable you need to use to supply the pump with power.
Ensure the pressure pump is firmly mounted to the ground.
Pressure pumps come with mounting holes in the base so that it can be fixed to the floor. This ensures that the pump always stays upright and in the correct position. Any kind of vibration or the mere on/off operation can cause a loose-standing pump to wander out of position.
Install a non-return or one-way valve.
There should always be a nonreturn valve, one-way valve or check valve installed as part of the pump system and these are usually included in the package.
Ensure the inlet pipe is straight and big enough.
One important factor to consider is the routing of the pipe coming from your tank into the inlet of the pump. This should be as straight as possible for at least 100cm to prevent any turbulence in the water entering the pump.
Installing 90-degree elbows close to the pump’s inlet causes turbulence which can result in air bubbles forming which can damage the pump.
If you have a small pump, it is possible to use flexible piping between the pump and the rest of the water system to avoid any possible vibrations being transmitted throughout the house. This can cause irritating noises and the vibrations can also cause leaks over years of use.
Ensure your water pipes are the right size.
Make sure to use the correct size pipes and try to match the existing size of your house’s water supply system. Every time the pipe diameter changes, or there is an elbow in a pipe, it disturbs the even flow of water, and this leads to pressure and flow losses.
Install cut-off valves at the inlet and outlet.
Make sure to install cut-off valves so that the pump can be isolated and tested without having to pump water throughout the whole system. You must be able to bypass the pump in case it has to be removed or serviced. This will also simplify the process if you decide to upgrade to a bigger pump in the future.
Protect your pump from the elements.
The pump should also be protected from the elements like rain, excessive dust etc. to ensure a long life and continued performance. Pump housing products are available.
Contact the specialists at Pascali who are standing by to advise you on exactly what will suit your requirements.
Hear straight from the experts on how they approach a pressure pump installation at homes;
Any machinery with moving parts will require periodic maintenance and your pressure pump is no different. Pascali pumps are designed and manufactured to last many years but even the greatest machines in the world won’t survive neglect and abuse.
Below are some pump maintenance checks you can perform on a regular basis to ensure that your pressure pump keeps functioning optimally for a long time. Getting in the habit to check your pump regularly will help you identify potential problems early, avoiding more expensive repairs than if you just forget about your pump.
Protect your pump
The first step in maintaining your pressure pump is to protect it from the elements. Invest in a cover for the pump to keep rainwater and dust out. Keeping direct sunlight off the assembly is also a good idea because sunlight can damage some plastics over time.
Check for leaks
Regularly check for any water leaks from your tank to the pump and throughout the whole system. Fixing small leaks early can avoid it developing into bigger leaks down the line. The pump and motor should never stand in a puddle of water and should also be installed above possible flood levels in case of a heavy downpour.
Listen for noises
Listen to the pump while it is running to hear if there are any strange noises. A variety of things can cause unusual sounds coming from the pump, including leaves or sticks stuck in the impeller or a cooling fan scraping the inside of the housing. Check if insects or rodents haven’t decided to nest next to your pump causing possible future problems.
Keep it clean
The water entering your pump should ideally be at room temperature and free of any debris, so if you are collecting rainwater from your roof, install a filter system to keep any leaves, twigs, and other foreign matter out of the tank. It is inevitable that dust that settles on your roof during the dry months will wash into your gutter system and eventually into your tank. This should settle to the bottom of the tank and can be cleaned out every couple of years, depending on the level of build-up.
Keep it cool and steady
Check the mounting points of the pump to ensure it is still secure and that there isn’t excessive vibration. Make sure that there is adequate airflow around the motor from the cooling fan.
You can also consider protecting your pump from electrical surges with a surge protector installed on your distributor board.
Do all these regular maintenance checks, and your water pressure booster pump can perform for many years to come!
For more on the subject, check out this interview with Charlie du Plessis, Technical Advisor at Pascali.
It can be extremely frustrating having to deal with inadequate water flow and water pressure, but there is something you can do to improve the situation.
Even though water flow (or flow rate) and pressure are two different measurements, they are still related to each other.
Water flow refers to how much water comes out of a tap or other fixtures in a specific time.
Water Pressure refers to the force that the water is under to make it move in the desired direction, or the amount of force the water exerts on the pipe and fittings containing it.
What’s the difference between water pressure and water flow or flow rate?
Water flow is measured in litres per minute, so it has to do with volume over time.
Pressure is measured in bar or PSI (pounds per square inch), so this equation has to do with weight and surface area.
When a tap is closed the flow is zero, but the pressure can be 3 bar for example. As soon as the tap is opened the flow increases and the pressure drops. There is a sweet spot between flow and pressure that is ideal for household applications and various factors influence both. A pressure pump can help homeowners to achieve the desired flow and pressure.
What affects flow and pressure?
Water flow and pressure are both affected by friction. Friction is caused by the inside diameter of the pipe, elbow fittings, height, etc.
As water moves through a pipe, friction will slow it to a certain degree, depending on the texture and diameter of the pipe. The smoother the pipe, the less friction there will be, and the faster water can move through the pipe, provided that the water pressure is sufficient. With good water pressure, the friction in smaller pipes can be overcome so that the water flow remains high.
How do I overcome friction?
A professionally installed water pressure booster pump can help to overcome limiting friction inside a water system.
A water pressure booster pump increases the pressure the water experiences on demand, overcoming friction to be delivered to where it is needed. Because the friction is overcome, higher pressure will also lead to higher flow rates, because both flow and pressure are affected by friction.
(For illustration purposes only)
For a visual representation of flow and pressure many pumps will have a flow chart, depicting its characteristics under different circumstances.
Homeowners need to find their sweetspot
Pressure is indicated on the vertical axis and flow on the horizontal axis. As illustrated pressure is highest when the flow is lowest, and vice versa. The sweet spot for household water delivery is a balance between flow and pressure and the pressure booster pump you choose should create this balance.
Check out the interview with Pascali’s technical advisor on this very subject!
