Ways to increase water pressure in an apartment. Water pressure norm

Situations often occur when the water pressure in the tap has become weak. Due to the thin stream, it is impossible to use the same washing machine or dishwashing equipment. Sometimes it is difficult to take a shower because of such water pressure. In our material we offer methods on how to increase the pressure in the water supply.

The hot water pressure has dropped - what to do?

There are many reasons for the deterioration of hot and cold water pressure. First of all, you need to ask your neighbors and find out if everyone on the site has poor pressure.

The hot water pressure has dropped, what to do:

If all the neighbors are facing a problem, it makes sense to go down to the basement and see if the valve is closed. It often happens that during replacement, or during some related manipulations, the valve is not fully opened, and accordingly the water pressure drops.
This is the simplest option; just open the valve completely and then the water pressure for all residents of the house will become much higher. If you asked your neighbors, and no one encountered a similar problem except you, then the problem is directly in the apartment.
The most common option that causes a decrease in water pressure is the ingress of scale. This happens if the riser is made of metal pipes. They rust, and iron oxide can come off in pieces from the pipes and clog the system.
This usually happens directly in the mixer. In order to get rid of the problem, you need to turn off the water in your apartment, unscrew the valve that supplies hot cold water. In this case, it is necessary to unscrew the tap from which water flows poorly.

No water

Rules for selecting power, pressure and volume

The pressure characteristics can be determined in accordance with SNiP standards. For optimal use of the liquid supplied to houses and apartments, as well as the operation of household appliances, 0.6 atm is required, provided that the input is provided with a value of 0.2. That is, you need to purchase a device that allows you to achieve water pressure levels of 0.9 atmospheres. The summation results in 11, which is quite enough for stable operation of the system.

The volumetric parameters and the resulting force of movement of H2O in the network are closely interrelated. However, in most cases, booster units can be found on store shelves that make it possible to pump a liquid medium at a rate of 2.4 cubic meters per hour. Actually, you don’t really have to choose.

Power data is also important, although it is not a criterion of primary importance. When deciding on the purchase of an electric booster, you should focus on models with lower energy consumption.

The water pressure in the tap has dropped - how to improve the supply?

At the inlet to each section there is a mesh that protects from mechanical impurities and collects them. Simply remove the mesh and rinse thoroughly. Usually it collects all the main debris, scale, and mechanical impurities, which worsen the water pressure.

The water pressure in the tap has dropped:

If the sieve is clean enough, you need to remove the valve and see what is underneath. Remove the valves and look inside. If you see that there is scale there, remove it. It often happens that there are large pieces that interfere with normal pressure.
After removing them and installing the valves in place, the pressure returns to normal. However, it often happens that when disassembling the mixer and removing scale, the situation does not return to normal, and the water continues to flow in a very thin stream.
Perhaps the pipe is clogged somewhere in the supply to your apartment, or directly in it. Experienced locksmiths recommend using a special thin cable. It is placed into a pipe from which the mixer is first removed and cleaned. Thus, as a result of using the cable, all scale is removed from the surface of the pipe.

Weak pressure

How are the reasons for the column and for the boiler different?

Water heating boilers do not have a heating radiator . Water enters the unit, is heated using a heating element and supplied to the consumer. Therefore, the reasons for the drop in pressure are somewhat different from the situation with a gas water heater:

Formation of blockages. Filters are installed at the boiler inlet. If the water is of poor quality, they become clogged with scale and rust particles.
The heating element is covered with scale and salt deposits.
Corrosion has formed inside the tank and cracks have appeared.
The pressure regulator is faulty.
The thermostat has failed. In this case, the water overheats, but does not leave the boiler.
Faucet (mixer) failure. Blockages can form on the mesh that is installed at the outlet of the tap. If the water heater is in good condition, you should pay attention to the mixers. The problem with pressure can be solved by cleaning the tap filter.

Since the faucet is not part of the water heater, cleaning it yourself will not void your warranty. Therefore, you can clean a clogged mesh yourself, without resorting to the services of specialists.

Low water pressure - reasons: what to do?

Quite often it gets clogged directly at the insertion point where your riser connects to the water supply. If the pipes are metal, most often scale forms at the welding points. It is in these places that strong growths are found that interfere with normal water pressure.

Low water pressure, reasons, what to do:

To get rid of them, you need to remove the ball screen and try to clean the riser using a cable. Please note that if there is rust in this place, scale build-up and scale are observed inside, then after cleaning it may begin to leak and you risk flooding your neighbors.
In this case, the only correct option is to replace this section of the pipe. It is best to replace with plastic products. If the valve is a ball valve, then there is a filter at the bottom.
Thus, it will be possible to cope with the problem without cutting off the water supply to the entire house. It is enough to unscrew the filter and try to clean the cold or hot water supply riser through it.

The filter is clogged

Legal regulation of water supply parameters

Water supply parameters in apartments and private houses are determined by legislative acts and SNiPs. Such documents must be taken into account during installation work and connecting devices. SNiP reflects the normal level of pressure in pipes.

In this direction, SNiP 2.04.02-84 is used. This act specifies that at 10 meters of water supply height, the pressure required is 1 bar.

The minimum pressure is determined in the specified act:

faucet in the bathroom - 0.3 atmospheres;
toilet - 0.2 atmospheres;
sink with faucet in the kitchen - 0.2 atmospheres.

In addition, SNiP also prescribes pressure limits. The specified value should not be more than 6 atmospheres. The exception is the time when repair work is being carried out. Then the maximum pressure is 10 atmospheres.

Government Decree No. 354 of 2011 “On the provision of public services...” sets standards for cold and hot water. The pressure should be in the range of 0.3 - 0.6 MPa.

Important! The pressure in the tap may vary depending on the time of day. However, these boundaries must not be violated.

Self-increasing pressure

If the water does not flow well in the bathroom or kitchen, you can deal with this phenomenon yourself. Behavior options depend on the reason for the reduction in the level of resource supply.

Including:

when the problem is related to the mixer, you can buy a new one or repair the old one;
if the aerator is clogged, blow it out or clean it with a needle;
If it is necessary to change the pipes, this should be entrusted to the employees of the management company. The risers of the house are replaced entirely, because the presence of a large number of joints affects the level of water supply;
when a citizen lives on the top floor, special pumps are used to solve the problem.

If the reasons lie in the incorrect connection of the water supply system, the issue is resolved by involving a specialist.

Poor cold water pressure - what to do?

Often the filter can become clogged directly in the meter itself. The fact is that in this device, when water is supplied to it, there is a special mesh that prevents scale, rust and mechanical impurities from entering the measuring device.

Poor cold water pressure, what to do:

The mesh protects it from damage. Therefore, one of the options to increase the pressure in the apartment is to unscrew the nut and clean the aerator. The same can be done with the mesh, which is located directly at the end of the mixer.
It can also become clogged with small debris. The faucet often starts to leak at the junction of the gander and the pipe. This indicates that the mesh itself, which collects debris in the mixer, is clogged. If your neighbors are also familiar with the decrease in water supply, then a separate riser may be clogged.
Ask your neighbors who are powered by a different riser. These could be residents of the apartment located opposite. If everything is fine with their pressure, the problem is in the riser itself and it is necessary to clean the filter, which is located at the point where the common pipe connects to your riser.

Water flows poorly

Options for increasing pressure in residential water supply

The following measures will help raise the pressure in the apartment:

laying new pipes of larger diameter instead of old ones. This will increase the amount of water supplied. The fluid velocity in large diameter pipes decreases, which leads to an increase in pressure;
switch from valves to lever shut-off devices in mixers with a large passage diameter.

In addition to the measures listed, regular prevention will help prevent the formation of deposits on the internal walls of pipes and their failure.

Low water pressure in the apartment - how to improve?

If you encounter this problem, you can use larger diameter pipes. That is, you will have to replace old pipes with new ones, preferably made of plastic. There is no scale formation on them, and there is no rust inside.

Low water pressure in the apartment, how to improve:

The higher the diameter of the pipe, the less likely it is to clog. If the diameter of the pipes is very small, scale or limescale may indeed soon clog inside. You can also use a pump.
There are special small portable pumps that pump water. The cost of this equipment is not the smallest, but it will solve the problem of poor water pressure. However, neighbors may complain about you because they will not have enough water.
Typically, such a device increases water pressure by one and a half atmospheres. This is a completely safe value for home cold water distribution.
If the water pressure in the entire house has dropped, it makes sense for all residents to cooperate and purchase a portable pumping station. It consists of several pumps that operate autonomously.
The entire system is connected to automation, which regulates the need to turn on the pump at different times of the day. The higher the pressure and water pressure in the system, the less the pumps will turn on. When the water supply decreases, especially if there is a private sector nearby and there is an irrigation season, such a pumping station will work and turn on frequently. This will improve living conditions and normalize water pressure.
The most difficulties arise with private houses that operate from wells or boreholes where there is no running water. In this case, it is necessary to solve the problem with insufficient water.
Indeed, a pump cannot pump out water from a well that simply is not there; it simply may not have time to collect. In this case, the only correct solution is to install a container to collect liquid. Floats are installed inside such containers, which regulate the water level. As soon as it falls below the required level, the pump will turn on and continue pumping water into the storage tank.

Water supply

Common product brands

When planning to buy a water pump, first determine how much money you are willing to spend on it. Next, figure out how the booster pump works to increase (increase) water pressure for a water supply system using photos and available information on the Internet. Consider products from different manufacturers, and only then make a decision.

Grundfos

Danish manufacturer, which is a global giant in the production of water pumping equipment. Russians have been willingly purchasing its products since the middle of the last century. High quality and long service life remain unchanged.

Among the built-in models we can highlight UPA 15-90. Its operation is based on the principle of circulation and wet cooling is present. The device can operate automatically or in manual control mode. It has a rust-resistant coating and a durable cast iron body.

Wilo

A widely used brand produced in Germany. The products are painted in the company's green color. The functional wheel is made of stainless steel, the frame is made of cast iron, and the connecting tubes are made of bronze. All manufactured devices are dry cooled, are distinguished by high performance and the ability to operate at extreme temperature conditions.

Jemix

For example, we can consider the W15GR-15 A. This inexpensive unit is produced at a joint Chinese-Russian production facility. The hydraulics are represented by brass elements, inside of which there is a plastic wheel; the body is made of cast iron.

The model allows installation on DHW and cold water networks. In this case, the device can be installed in both vertical and horizontal positions.

AMETHYST - 02 M Residential building for up to 10 people or up to 2 cubic meters/day.

Aeration unit AS-1054 VO-90

Main table dispenser AquaPro 919H/RO (hot and cold water)

"Gilex"

A prominent representative among Russian manufacturing plants specializing in the creation of water pressure equipment. Known on the market for more than 20 years. Paying attention to, say, the Jumbo pumping station, it should be noted that its power characteristics are 1100 W, productivity is 70 liters per minute. The device is capable of storing liquid in a volume of 24 liters. Thanks to the ejector, the fence depth reaches 9 m.

Why is there low water pressure from the boiler?

This is often encountered by residents of apartment buildings that do not have a hot water supply. Accordingly, a boiler is used to obtain hot liquid. There are several reasons why the pressure and pressure of hot water decreases, even though cold water flows quite well.

Why is there low water pressure from the boiler:

The back pressure valve is clogged.
Insufficient adjustment of the pressure reducer in the boiler. Problems with the filter or mesh on the faucet.
The water supply tap to the boiler is not fully open.

In general, all these problems can be solved independently, without the help of specialists. To do this, you need to check the mesh on the mixer. The nut on the tap is unscrewed, the metal filter is removed from there and washed in a vinegar solution. You can leave it in ammonia for several hours. This will clean the holes and normalize the pressure.

It is also necessary to check whether the water supply valve to the heater is fully open. If the back pressure valve has failed, it must be removed and checked for functionality and debris. The reducer will have to be replaced if the problem is related to a breakdown of the pressure regulator in the boiler. A master can handle this kind of work.

The faucet is dripping

How can I find the problem?

The easiest way to look for the reason is from largest to smallest. That is, it is recommended to first exclude those problems that do not depend on the tenant and narrow them down to his apartment.

So, the algorithm of actions will be like this:

Talk to the residents of the house and find out if they have the same problem. If you find that other people have the same situation, it makes sense to immediately contact the service responsible for the water supply in a particular city or area. Perhaps an emergency is brewing in the water main due to serious blockage or damage;
If people in other entrances or apartments do not have this problem, it is worth talking to the residents on the same riser . When the problem occurs in several apartments at once, you need to contact the management company for diagnostics. The problem can only be solved by completely replacing the pipes in the riser or by consistently searching for blockages ;
If the previous 2 situations did not show anything, then the problem lies in the apartment . First, you should turn on all the taps in sequence and observe whether the pressure changes because of this. If this happens, then there is a problem in the plumbing circuit , and it will have to be completely redone. In a new house you can contact the developer, in an old house you can contact the management company;
If the problem is in only one faucet , this indicates a blockage in it or in the supply pipe. They need to be disassembled and checked for limescale blockages . If you have the tools, you can do this yourself, but without the appropriate experience, it is better to call a plumber. If the pipes are old, they may need to be replaced.

Low water pressure, where to go?

Regarding the complaint, it all depends on what type of water is flowing poorly. If it’s hot, you need to complain to the Heating Center, but if it’s cold, then to the Gorvodokanal. Please note that very often management companies do not want to spend money on appropriate repairs. Therefore, it endlessly redirects your application to another organization, which proceeds in the same way.

It turns out that companies are simply shifting the blame onto each other without doing anything. Accordingly, you must initially check the pipes in your apartment, communicate with your neighbors, and file a collective complaint. If only one tenant files a complaint, the likelihood of success is extremely low.

Low water pressure, where to contact:

The very first step is to contact the Housing Office. It is necessary to write a collective written statement stating that the house has low water pressure, which is not enough to meet the needs of the residents. As a result of this complaint, housing office workers are forced to come and check the pressure using special instruments.
If it is below 2 atmospheres, then appropriate measures must be taken. Please note that the Housing Office often refuses to accept an application. In this case, the ideal option is to send it by registered mail with a report.
In this case, you can threaten to go to court. Typically, such applications are always considered first. If nothing can be done, and several new houses have been built, while there is only one pump left, the pressure will decrease accordingly.

Good pressure
There is no need to put up with the situation; you can achieve a reduction in the cost of paying for cold water. After all, according to the contract, you pay for two atmospheres that will fully satisfy your needs. If the pressure is lower, you can seek a reduction in payment.

When and where can you file a complaint?

It is advisable to file a complaint if the reason for the low pressure lies in external pipelines: main pipeline, access risers. It is necessary to have an evidence base: officially confirmed measurements. Having in hand a certificate of low pressure in the water supply network, they draw up a document.

If insufficient water pressure is detected in a private house

An agreement for the supply of water was concluded with the organization on whose balance sheet the networks to the distribution well are located, from which the water is diverted to private housing construction. This could be Vodokanal, housing department.

In a new building

In buildings commissioned after 2000, housing and communal services are provided by management companies.

In a privatized apartment

The old fund is serviced by housing maintenance departments or a homeowners' association.

Shut off the riser and drain the remaining water

First you need to turn off the cold water. To do this, close the ball valve on the cold water riser. How to do this is described in detail in the article:. And here I will give just a picture:

Cold water is turned off. Now you need to drain the remaining water in the pipes. There is a drain valve located directly below the self-cleaning filter. Some people have a hose leading out of it that goes straight into the drain pipe, while others have just a faucet:

More about types of water systems: What types of water systems are there and which ones do I have?

As mentioned earlier, a gravity system is a low pressure system with a cold water storage tank as well as a hot water cylinder.
As the name suggests, the pressure supplied around your home depends on the height at which the cold storage tank is located from where the taps are located around your home. Generally speaking, the water pressure supplied to your upstairs bathroom will be around 1 or 2 bar, and the pressure supplied to your kitchen will be around 5 bar. This type of system greatly limits your faucet choices, and it should be noted that installing a water pump gives you access to a wider range of drain options.

If there is a hose, then simply open the tap and drain the remaining water. If there is no hose, then you need to find a bucket or basin and place it under the tap, then open the tap and drain the remaining water.

Changing the coarse filter

Now you can work on filters.

A combi boiler is typically installed in your kitchen where pressurized water enters your property. It controls both your hot and cold water sources as well as your central heating, giving it the name "combination".

A combi boiler system heats cold water directly from the mains as and when required when the hot tap is on. As the water supply comes from the mains, at mains pressure your water will be at high pressure and will fit most high pressure taps if you have a good enough combi boiler. Pressure can vary from boiler to boiler, but a typical pressure expectation from a combi boiler is between 1 and 2 bar.

First, we will look at the condition of the coarse filter:

One nut needs to be unscrewed. For this procedure we will need Swedish women. Before doing this, take care of a container where you will need to drain the remaining water from the filter. You need to take a container such that it can be placed directly under the filter (Ideally, a cut-off plastic bottle, which you will see below, is suitable).

With an uncontaminated water supply, the master cylinder will be filled with cold water directly from the mains. Unlike a traditional gravity system, the unreliable system does not require additional storage tanks and instead offers a much simpler solution.

The water contained in the master cylinder is constantly pressurized by the incoming mains water and then indirectly heated by an external source such as a boiler, solar panel, oil or electricity. These types of systems are often found on new builds and will provide high pressure, meaning you can choose any brass you require.

So, take the Swedes and unscrew the nut:

Turn it counterclockwise as shown in the picture. Swedes won't have to work for long. Next, you need to carefully unscrew the nut by hand, placing a container to drain the water:

It is very important that you select the correct pressure taps for the water supply system you are using. Installing a faucet that requires high pressure to operate in a low pressure system will result in low flow rates or disappointing functionality.

For example, installing a high-pressure bathtub head on a low-pressure system would mean that it would take ages to fill the bathtub, and since the water would be constantly cooling, you would have to use more hot water to compensate. Dealing with low water pressure can be frustrating for any homeowner. The source of the problem is not always obvious and tests the entire path the water takes when entering the house. You may need the help of a local Toronto plumber to help track and correct the pressure.

But finally, the water has stopped flowing and you can examine the filter from the inside:

We see with you not a very good picture. First of all, the inside is completely rusty. Secondly, the filter contains a replaceable mesh. It needs to be removed:

What to do next? In a good way, it is better to replace the mesh (buy a new one). The rust inside the filter needs to be washed off. If there is a lot of rust, then it is worth replacing the filter itself. You may ask, how to clean if the water is turned off? Everything is correct, you need to stock up on cold water in advance and dilute it with hot water, which is not turned off for you. In general, you can handle it.

And this is what the new mesh for the coarse filter looks like:

install it in the filter and screw it back onto the pipe.