What is the normal water pressure?

Piping is a communication system in the form of complex pipe and crane designs designed to supply water to consumers. To determine the effectiveness of the system, the concept of "water pressure" in the water pipe is used. From this indicator, the correct operation of plumbing fixtures and the comfortable fulfillment of hygiene measures directly depend.

The result of low pressure in the system is insufficient pressure, which causes a lot of inconvenience to tenants on the upper floors of apartment buildings. This phenomenon makes it difficult to work dishwashers and washing machines, or even impossible to use a massage shower and jacuzzi.

However, there are several ways to combat such a life-complicating factor. If the cause of low headroom does not lie in the usual clogging of pipes, the water pressure in the water pipe can be adjusted by installing appliances that provide the most comfortable for life activity head.

What water pressure in the water pipe is considered the norm?

To measure the head of a liquid in a pipeline, use units that differ slightly in their values. Despite minor differences, the indicators are equated one to one.

1 bar equals 0.0197 atmospheres and 10.19 m of water column.

Pumping equipment that provides water supply to a height of 30 m, develops at the outlet pressure of 3 bars (3 atmospheres). If a 1 bar is required for pumping water by a submersible pump from a well or well with a depth of 10 m, the remaining 2 bars ensure that the liquid rises to the water points.

Pressure in urban and private pipelines

In order to optimize the water pressure in the city water supply, one should not take into account the delivery of liquid from the well. Water is supplied from a centralized network. However, owners of country cottages with an autonomous water supply need to take into account the level of the source, more precisely the depth at which pumping equipment will be installed in the shaft pit. When water passes through a pipeline, it overcomes some resistance, which should also be taken into account when calculating the required head.

According to the standards and GOST, the pressure in urban systems should be 4 atmospheres. However, users of the water supply network connected to centralized stations, accurate information about what water pressure in the water supply, will not give. This value can fluctuate in the range 2.5-7.5 atmospheres.

What to consider when choosing a bathroom equipment

Increasing the water pressure in the water pipe to more than 7 atmospheres has a destructive effect on sensitive plumbing fixtures, connecting elements in the pipeline and ceramic valves. Residents of urban apartments are advised to purchase equipment for a water pipe with a maximum margin of safety. This will help to avoid repair work, provoked by sharp pressure jumps in the future.

All installed faucets, faucets, pumps must withstand the water pressure in the water pipe in 6-7 atmospheres. It should be noted that with an annual seasonal check, the pressure can reach 10 atmospheres.

Optimum pressure value for normal operation of household appliances

The minimum water pressure in the aqueduct of 2 atmospheres is sufficient for the following tasks:

• Showering;
• Washing;
• Washing of kitchen accessories;
• Other hygiene are needed;
• Normal functioning of the washing machine.

The pressure in the 4 atmosphere allows you to expand the range of tasks, which include the adoption of a massage shower and Jacuzzi, watering the infield with greenery.

In the out-of-town houses, the head should be sufficient for simultaneous water consumption by several water intake points. In order not to overshadow the life of family members, water supply should be equivalent in all sanitary facilities and make up at least 1.5 atmospheres.

Fire water supply system

The water pressure in the fire water can be high and low. The high-pressure fire water pipeline is designed to extinguish large industrial, commercial and public buildings. To build a water pipe with a pressure of 2.5 l / s on a country plot does not make sense. Owners of cottages should take into account that the minimum value of water pressure in the fire water pipe should be at least 1.5 l / sec.

How to measure the pressure in a water pipe

Measurement of water pressure in the water pipe is carried out using a manometer. Before installing the appliance, it is necessary to block cold or hot water, depending on the strength of the water pressure which must be measured. The place in the system for mounting the instrument should be convenient and easily accessible. Next, you need a metal tube 5 cm long. With the help of a die, it is necessary to make an external thread on the pipe so that it fits as close to the gauge as accurately as possible. In order to cut a hole in the pipe with the correct diameter and attach a prepared piece of pipe to it, you can use a welding machine.

The manometer is mounted on a metal pipe with a wrench. To solve the leakage problem, there are special sealing materials in the junctions. After the installation is complete, you can start checking the pressure in the water supply. For this, it is necessary to restore the water supply and record the indicators on the manometer.

How to lower water pressure in a water pipe

To stabilize and lower the water pressure, a special reducer is used. It protects from the water hammer not only the water supply itself, but also household appliances connected to it. A small device is located in a sealed metal casing. The pressure regulator has two branch pipes with a thread located at the inlet and outlet. In some cases, it may house a third nozzle for mounting a pressure gauge and a screw designed to adjust the head of water.

The reducer operates on the principle of equalizing the force of the diaphragm and the tuning spring. If the tap in the water pipe opens, the outlet pressure in the device decreases, and therefore the pressure on the diaphragm also decreases. The force of the spring increases in this case. It opens the hole until the pressure in the water supply at the outlet reaches a certain value. High pressure or its jumps do not affect the opening and closing of the valve.

Ways to increase water pressure in the aqueduct

Most often, the problem of reduced water pressure in the system is encountered:

• Owners of apartments in multi-storey houses located on the upper floors;
• Owners of suburban areas in the summer, when the water discharge is significantly increased.

Before you start installing equipment that provides increased water pressure in the water pipe, residents of urban apartments should find out the cause of the problem. A weak pressure may result from the clogging of the pipeline with small objects or calcareous deposits. As a result, the diameter of the pipes decreases, and water enters a smaller volume. Only complete replacement of all pipes will solve this problem.

If the cause of low pressure lies in the other, stabilize the water supply in the following ways:

• Installing a circulation pump that increases pressure by sucking more water from the pipes;
• Installation of a pumping station with a hydro accumulator;
• Autonomous water supply network.

The choice of the right option depends on several factors:

• Water supply is carried out regularly, but the head is insufficient for normal life and work of household appliances - the circulation pump will help to increase the pressure;
• Water does not reach the upper floors of the house - the pumping station is suitable.

Classification of circulating pumps

There are several modes of operation of pumps:

• Manual - the equipment operates in a continuous mode. However, in order to avoid overheating or failure, the pump should be switched off in time.
• Automatic - equipped with a flow sensor. When the water is turned off, the pump is automatically activated, which makes it more economical and durable.

By functionality, pumps are divided into classes:

• Universal - installation is possible for hot and cold water supply;
• Only for cold or hot water.

Advantages of pumping equipment are low cost and compact size. However, it is worth remembering that pumps increase head by 30%. Their installation justifies itself if the water pressure in the water pipe, whose norms are not less than 1.5 atmospheres, is equivalent in all water intake points.

Self-priming pumping stations

The water pressure in the water pipe can be increased by installing a pumping station. As a rule, it consists of the following elements:

• Centrifugal pump to increase the pressure of water;
• Accumulator for 1-3 cubic meters;
• Pressure switch - controls the entire system.

With normal water supply, the appliance will not be activated. If there is water pressure in the water pipe, the norms of which are very different from those set, the pump will automatically turn on. Usually the accumulator will be filled at night, at a higher head in the system. The larger the capacity for accumulating liquid, the less the device will turn on and the longer its service life. This system maintains a pressure level of 3-4 atmospheres.

Before installing the pump station, remember that this equipment requires a large space for installation. The tank is subject to regular cleaning (at least 1 time during 2 days). Mount the accumulator can be on the roof, in the basement or in the ground.

Features of decentralized water pipes

The specificity of autonomous water pipelines is the need to raise water from wells or shaft wells, as well as ensure a good head in all water intake points of the house and remote points on the backyard. The operation of a decentralized water supply network depends not only on the pressure of the water, but also on its flow.

Efficiency of pumping equipment should maximally meet the planned volume of water flow and production rate of the mine well. For calculation it is better to take the water consumption indices in the summer period, when they reach the maximum value.