How to determine the pressure in the water supply and increase it if it has fallen?

Where to deal with the problem of incorrect pressure

When the cause of insufficient pressure in the circuit is not the shortcomings of the intra-apartment pipeline, the homeowner has the right to file a complaint with the housing department or HOA.

The current legislation gives tenants the right to protect their consumer interests. To do this, an official statement must be drawn up, which indicates:

• The fact of providing a low quality service. Here this is the pressure in the water supply system, which differs from the norms of SNiP.
• Data of devices showing what water pressure in the apartment is available at a given time.
• The requirement to immediately eliminate all causes leading to violations of construction and operational standards.
• The need to recalculate cash payments for low-quality services.

The terms given to employees of the housing maintenance department for consideration of the application and taking measures on it are one calendar month. If during these periods no measures were taken, and the situation with water supply did not improve. Then the tenants have the right to apply to any supervisory authority: the city administration, the prosecutor's office, the courts. The main thing in this matter is to submit a well-written application with fixed indicators of instrumentation.

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Water pressure: standards and reality

In order for plumbing and household appliances to function normally, water supply with a certain pressure is required. This pressure is called water pressure. I must say that different types of equipment require different pressure. So the washing machine and dishwasher, shower, taps and faucets work normally at 2 atmospheres. For the operation of a jacuzzi or a shower cabin with hydromassage, at least 4 atm is required. So the optimal water pressure in the water supply is 4 atm or so.

For household appliances and plumbing equipment, there is also such an indicator as the maximum allowable pressure. This is the limit that this equipment can withstand.If we talk about a private house, then you can ignore this parameter: your personal equipment works here and above 4 atm, well, a maximum of 5-6 atm. Higher pressure simply does not happen in such systems.

Pressure Units - Conversion and Ratio

For centralized water supply networks, the standards set the operating water pressure in the water supply system of an apartment building - 4-6 atm. In reality, it ranges from 2 atm to 7-8 atm, sometimes there are jumps up to 10 atm. It rises very strongly after or during repair work, and this is done on purpose. There is a so-called pressure test - checking the reliability and tightness of the system with increased pressure. With the help of such a check, all weak points are revealed - leaks appear and they are eliminated. The downside is that some appliances may have a lower tensile strength, resulting in them being a "weak point" as well, and usually costing a lot to repair.

It happens in high-rise buildings and the opposite situation - the water pressure in the water supply is too low. In such a situation, household appliances simply do not turn on, and a thin stream of water flows from the tap. This situation can occur at times of peak loads - in the morning and in the evening, when most of the residents use the water supply. Approximately the same situation can occur in summer cottages or in private houses connected to a centralized water supply. There is a solution to this problem, and more than one.

How to eliminate the causes of low pressure in a private water supply

Low pressure in the water supply occurs due to a decrease in pressure. This can be caused by many reasons. Therefore, a comprehensive check of the entire plumbing system and water treatment filters is necessary.

Pressure check at all points

To determine the point at which the pressure has decreased, it is necessary to use a portable pressure gauge - an instrument that measures the number of bars in a liquid. It is necessary to check the readings at the pipe attachment points - a well, a pump or a pumping station, the pipe entering the building. The instrument should show the point at which the pressure has dropped.

Water pressure test

IMPORTANT! If a pressure drop is detected, a professional plumber should be called. It is not recommended to climb into the system and try to fix the problem on your own, as this can lead to even more damage.

Checking filters

If the filter is clogged, the pressure inside the water supply may decrease. Depending on the model, the filter can be cleaned in different ways:

• Contaminants in the fine filters are eliminated by removing the filter and cleaning under running water.
• Coarse filters must first be disassembled, the cleaning cartridge replaced and screwed back.

Norm for multi-storey buildings

This parameter is fixed in a special SNIP. Also, the specified building rules set the pressure rate in the pipes.

The standard fixed in SNIP

These rules state that the pressure in the water supply system must be at least 10 m.

If the house has several floors, then with each subsequent floor, the norm should increase by 4 m. The necessary indicator of pressure in a house with one floor is 1 atmosphere.

This SNIP also fixed that the pressure in the water supply system should not exceed 60 m. This corresponds to an indicator of 6 atmospheres. Sufficient pressure is considered in the range from 1 to 6 atmospheres.

For hot and cold

In p.5.12 of another SNIP under the number 2.04.01-85 it is fixed that pressure in pipes with hot water will be considered normal, the indicator of which does not exceed 4.5 atm.

For pressure in a pipeline with cold water, general requirements are provided for, fixed in the previously mentioned building rules. An indicator of up to 5.5 atmospheres will be considered normal.

Minimum and maximum indicators

A single minimum is set for hot and cold water pipes. It is equal to 0.3 atm.

A minimum pressure of 0.3 atm. is fixed for showers, as well as bathtubs equipped with faucets. In washbasins equipped with faucets and toilet bowls with flush cisterns, the minimum value should be 0.2 atmospheres.

The maximum permitted pressure of hot water is fixed by SNIP 2.04.01-85. It is equal to 4.5 atmospheres. The maximum pressure in pipelines with cold water should be 6 atmospheres.

Pressure standards in the pipeline

Water pressure is measured in bar. The quantity has an alternative name - the atmospheric unit. Under a pressure of 1 bar, water can rise to a height of 10 m.

In urban networks, pressure is usually 4-4.5 bar, which is enough to service multi-storey buildings.

According to regulatory documents, in particular the instructions of the collection SNiP 2.0401-85, the allowable pressure for cold water varies from 0.3 to 6 bar, for hot - from 0.3 to 4.5. But it does not follow from this that a pressure of 0.3 atmospheres will be optimal. Only the allowable pressure limits are given here.

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Low pressure affects operation

Difficulties with getting water

Difficulty receiving procedures

Switching off the washing machine

Threat of instantaneous water heater burnout

Consequences of overpressure

Excessive pressure at water intake points

Electronic control failure

Residents of private houses are forced to calculate the pressure in the water supply individually. If the system is autonomous, the pressure may exceed the limits allowed by regulatory documents. It can fluctuate around 2.5-7.5 bar, and sometimes reach 10 bar.

The standard values ​​​​for the normal operation of the system with a pumping station are considered to be an interval of 1.4 - 2.8 bar, corresponding to the factory setting of the pressure switch indicators.

If excessively high pressure is provided in the system, then some sensitive devices may fail or work incorrectly. Therefore, the pressure in the pipeline must not exceed 6.5 bar.

High pressure in the water supply system can cause the pipe to leak, so it is important to pre-calculate the optimal pressure level yourself

Gushing artesian wells are capable of delivering a pressure of 10 bar. Only welded joints can withstand such pressure, while most fittings and shut-off and control units are destroyed under its action, resulting in leaks in the areas.

It is necessary to determine what water pressure is necessary for the normal functioning of the water supply system of a country house, taking into account the household appliances used. Some types of plumbing fixtures do not work at low pressure.

For example, for a jacuzzi, a pressure of 4 bar is required, for a shower, a fire extinguishing system - 1.5 bar, for a washing machine - 2 bar.If you provide for the possibility of watering the lawn, then there should be a strong pressure of 4, sometimes - 6 bar.

Household plumbing fixtures connected to the water supply are able to work correctly only from a certain pressure, which is usually at least 1.5 bar

The optimal pressure indicator for a country house is 4 bar. This pressure is enough for the proper operation of all plumbing devices. At the same time, most fittings, shut-off and control valves are able to withstand it.

Not every system can provide a pressure of 4 bar. Typically, for country houses, the pressure in the water supply is 1-1.5 bar, which corresponds to gravity.

Pump Installation Instructions

How to increase the water pressure in an apartment or in a private house? If utilities do not solve the problem, it remains to do their tasks with their own hands. For this you will need:

• boost pump;
• pumping station.

Procedure:

1. Determining the causes of insufficient pressure in the cold water supply system.
2. Assessment of the quality of cold water supply.
3. Installation of equipment at the entrance to the dwelling.

The reasons for the appearance of a thin stream of water from the tap can be very different. This is a blockage of pipes, salt deposits and the location of the apartment at a high altitude. There may be a weak water pressure in the apartment due to improper operation of the regular pump. A blockage in the riser will also prevent water from circulating properly through the pipes.

If the stream is always thin, then it is enough to install your own pump. If water practically does not enter the floor, but there is water on the lower floors, a pumping station will have to be installed. The pump can be turned on manually, but some brands turn on automatically.The pumping station pumps water into the accumulator and maintains the required pressure in the system.

To install the station, you need to find a suitable place. Its dimensions significantly exceed the dimensions of the pump due to the inclusion of a hydraulic accumulator, a centrifugal pump, a pressure gauge and a control unit in the kit. A pumping station can only be installed in a private house. There are some problems in multi-apartment and high-rise buildings. With a decrease in pressure in the risers, the pump will pump portions of air from the neighbors' taps. Your faucets will then just spit air and water.

To install additional equipment in the form of a pumping station, it is imperative to obtain permission from the water utility if the house is connected to a centralized water supply. A simple pump is also not very easy to install in an apartment. There may be friction with neighbors and with the same water utility. In any case, before installing additional equipment, it is necessary to clean the pipes. Sometimes it will be cheaper to replace them with new plastic ones.

The best place to locate a water well in your own home is a basement or basement. Then a pumping station and water tanks are placed nearby. If there is no well yet, it should be drilled near the foundation of the house. This will make it possible to insulate its upper part. For the pumping station, a light brick foundation is mounted or a table is welded from metal. All pipes extending from the mouth of the well are insulated and insulated.

Few people carry water into the house on a yoke. Everyone is used to home plumbing. But sometimes, instead of a good stream, you can see a thin stream from the tap.What water pressure should be in the water supply of an apartment building or a country mansion and how to increase the water pressure in the pipes are questions that concern some people.

Lack of water may be due to clogged pipes and risers. They must be thoroughly cleaned or replaced.

They can work both in automatic mode and in manual mode.

Installation can be somewhat difficult. This applies to relationships with neighbors and with the water utility. There can be no such problems in a private house. The installation of equipment, especially pumps, does not present any difficulties.

But the pressure in the cold water supply system will be provided for many years. And this is the key to the quality work of all household appliances that use water.

How to increase the water pressure in the water supply

There are many ways to increase the water pressure in the water supply, the most popular of which are:

• the use of a circulation pump;
• the use of special equipment for the pumping station.

Increase water pressure in the plumbing

Using the circulation pump

A circulation pump can be used to increase the water pressure. The principle of operation of such a pump is based on an increase in the flow rate of water, which leads to an increase in pressure.

When installing the circulation pump, you must strictly follow the instructions. Arrows on the pump show the direction of the water flow.

IMPORTANT! If the device is installed incorrectly, this will lead to its breakdown, which will not be considered a warranty case, because this is a violation of the rules for operating the pump during installation. The pump can operate in two modes - manual or automatic

It is best to purchase the second option, since it is equipped with an additional device - a flow sensor. This device automatically regulates the speed of water movement. This allows you to save water when the owners are not at home, and also, if necessary, increase the pressure in the pipe by increasing the speed of water movement.

The pump can operate in two modes - manual or automatic. It is best to purchase the second option, since it is equipped with an additional device - a flow sensor. This device automatically regulates the speed of water movement. This allows you to save water when the owners are not at home, and also, if necessary, increase the pressure in the pipe by increasing the speed of water movement.

When choosing a pump, pay attention to the following components:

• Max pressure;
• Energy consumption level (the higher the class, the better);
• Noise level (the lower the better);
• Brand (the longer it is on the market, the more profitable it is to buy. Especially since the price of such a product is not always higher than new companies).

Water pumping station equipment

To ensure pressure increase, you can put a pumping station.

Replacing the submersible pump with a version with a stronger submersible pump. Also, in the process of replacing the device, you will have to replace the pressure switch with models that operate at higher pressure values.

• Pipe replacement. In this option, the case of replacing pipes from a small to a larger diameter is considered. This method is based on a decrease in hydraulic resistance, i.e. it is easier for water to rise to a height through a large diameter pipe than a small one.For example, replacing standard 32 mm pipes with 64 mm pipes.
• Installing a hydraulic accumulator. The accumulator is installed in the presence of an automatic plumbing system. The essence of the operation of such a device is that a certain amount of water accumulates in the hydraulic tank until the taps are opened. When the valves are opened, a large pressure will be maintained until the hydraulic tank is empty to the lower limit. In this case, the accumulator will automatically turn on the pump and the tank will start filling up again.

Increasing the water pressure in a private house using a pump

Institutions responsible for water supply

Before contacting any authorities about poor water pressure, you must make sure that the cause of this is not clogging of the device with lime or other deposits, equipment malfunction, etc.

If the reason is not in the above, then if the pressure standards of the water supplied to the MKD are not observed, you can contact the following organizations:

Useful article
If the management company does not respond to claims in any way, you should contact the higher regulatory authorities - the housing inspectorate, Rospotrebnadzor and the court. Read more in this article

• to the management company (MC), on the balance sheet of which this house is located. The UK, by definition, is an intermediary between the supplier of life support resources for an MKD and a citizen who is the owner or tenant of housing in this house. The following must be done:
  1. write an application to the Criminal Code with a description of the problem, with the requirements to eliminate the violation of water supply standards and recalculate the cost of paid services for housing maintenance,
  2. refer the complaint to the Criminal Code in 2 copies, one - to leave in the company, the other, with a note on the acceptance of the application - to pick up for yourself,
  3. expect the problem to be resolved, the Criminal Code is obliged to consider the complaint no later than 1 month after its acceptance.
• to the city administration department, if the actions on the filed complaint were not considered by the Criminal Code in a timely manner. When contacting the administration, you should write a new application and attach to it a second copy of the complaint previously sent to the Criminal Code.

How to increase the water pressure in the water supply

There are several ways to solve such a problem. The simplest is pipe cleaning. Or replacing them if cleaning is not possible or no longer helps. If you have old steel pipes in your house or apartment, you may not even try to clean them. Most likely, when you dismantle them, the diameter of the water channel in them will hardly exceed a centimeter, or even be many times less than this indicator, the rest of the space will be occupied by plaque, rust, and so on. In this case, it is easier to replace the water pipes than to try to increase the water pressure in them. It is better to change pipes for an analogue made of metal-plastic or polypropylene.

If you have already changed pipes, then they should be cleaned, you can do this with special chemicals that can be purchased at the store, and if this does not help, then by mechanical means (brush, etc.). It is worth noting that if the cleaning is successful, then the water pressure will increase noticeably, the result will exceed your expectations. For some reason, traditionally, people have little faith in cleaning water pipes in an apartment or house. But only until such time until they try this method.

Another way to get good water pressure at home or in an apartment is to use special circular pumps. Pressure booster pumps are often used in apartment buildings. But this is, of course, a little unfair to your neighbors. Increasing the low water pressure in your apartment will lower the pressure in their water pipes. But in matters of personal comfort, there are no friends or neighbors.

The most important thing in this matter is not to talk about this act to your neighbors, otherwise they will do the same, offended by you. And everything will result in an "arms race" of pumps, the winner will be the one who has the most powerful device. What water pressure in the water supply system can be obtained using such a pump? You will definitely succeed in increasing to the norm established by the standards. The main thing is to choose a pump model that is not the cheapest one presented in the assortment of the store.

There are times when the water pressure suits you, but one appliance (for example, a washing machine or dishwasher) refuses to work. Then the centrifugal pump can be installed directly in front of the device. This will not create problems for your neighbors. Also in this case, you can use a cheap pump, because the load on it will be minimal.

What pressure is enough for full consumption?

A pressure of 2 atmospheres is sufficient for:

• taking a shower,
• washing,
• washing dishes
• other daily needs
• normal operation of the washing machine

Water consumption table

A minimum pressure of 4 atm is required:

• to use the jacuzzi or massage shower
• watering the countryside

In country cottages, the pressure should ensure the simultaneous consumption of water by several points, so that it is possible to take a shower, wash dishes and water the flower bed in the yard at the same time. Therefore, at each of the points, the pressure should be at least 1.5 atm.

Pressure unit conversion table

When buying plumbing that is connected to the city water supply network, it is recommended to choose equipment that has a certain margin of safety, designed for possible sudden pressure surges and water hammer.

This is interesting: How to choose a pumping station for home and garden - useful tips

A little about consumer rights

At the very end of 2017, Federal Law No. 485 was adopted, and in 2018, Federal Law No. 485 began to operate. The need to develop a new document with regulations was dictated by changed realities in the aspects of managing the operation of apartment buildings.

Head calculation

The number of organizations that can take part in providing for the needs of people, compliance with standards and pressure requirements for residents of MKDs has expanded.

If earlier only strictly limited agents could deal with pressure and regulations, with the advent of MUP (not vested with the right of ownership of commercial municipal unitary enterprises), MPA (municipal legal acts, or local regulations), decisions of local authorities began to operate.

An ordinary consumer can find out about the established standards directly at the office of a water supply company. In particular, the pressure and temperature stipulated by the regulations. Consumer rights are protected even under such conditions.

Can filling speed

The transfer of the relationship between the consumer and the supplier, who does not have the right of ownership, transferred to a new legal plane, does not exclude the obligations that are assigned to him in the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation.

Water in the apartment, flow and pressure standards, instructions for issuing bills, and even standards for the operation of drains - all this can be found in Decree No. 354, which has not lost its relevance in 2019, although it dates back to May 2011.

Household losses in the apartment

Subtleties

Appendix No. 2 to Decree No. 354 indicates the proper parameters for the quality of water supplies, which also include pressure standards. And this is not accidental, since the document is called "On the provision of public services to owners."

Violation of any regulations, not just pressure, at the local level may be the basis for the revision of invoices issued by the manufacturer. If the cold water pressure does not comply with GOST and non-compliance with the pressure parameters is caused not by blockages or malfunctions, but by the central water supply in the house, then the management company should deal with the resolution of the existing problem.

In the water meter

Of course, suppliers are not always ready to admit shortcomings in their own activities. Therefore, they will first send a representative of the company, who must check whether the level of water supply in the cold tap is normal, as well as compliance with the established standards. A pressure level that does not allow the connection of water-consuming appliances, household appliances is considered unacceptable.

The minimum pressure indicator according to the standards is set for the consumption of a shower and a bath, and this is 0.3 bar. At the washbasin and toilet bowl, this pressure value is slightly less - 0.2 bar. It is unacceptable to consider the work of a company as satisfactory, in which the population of the house should be limited to a thin stream from the wash tap and not be able to fully implement hygiene procedures.

Residents of an apartment building should be aware that the current legislation Russian Federation provides for them the right to demand compliance with the standards specified in the joint venture (SNiP).

In the basement of the house

To change the negative situation, you need to make sure that interruptions in water supply are not due to problems in the apartment, but to the incorrect activities of the utility provider. By writing a statement indicating the parameters and the requirement to eliminate the causes that are within its jurisdiction, you can add a clause on the need to reduce payment for low-quality services.

A correctly drawn up application and documented violations of the standards (at least 4 bar at the entrance to an apartment building) can become a weighty reason for applying to the courts, the prosecutor's office or the city administration. So it is accepted, for example, in St. Petersburg.

Why know water pressure standards

1. Preventing the increase in water pressure helps prevent the failure of water supply devices, household appliances;
2. Identification of the reasons due to which the devices stopped working. As a rule, such a breakdown is associated with a low level of water pressure in the system;
3. Ability to connect new appliances that require increased water consumption.

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Norms for an apartment building

For a standard five-story building, the calculation is made according to the following formula:

10 + (4*5) = 30 meters.

10 meters is the standard standard for water pressure, which is supplied to the first floor. 4 meters is the standard height of each floor. 5 is the total number of floors in the house. Accordingly, in order to provide all residents of this five-story building with water with normal pressure, it is necessary to comply with the norm of 30 meters (3 atmospheres).

Norm for a private house

Attention! If this 10-meter mark is exceeded, then the minimum pressure standard for a private house is set to 2 atmospheres

Pressure in the autonomous water supply

Plumbing in a private house is a rather complicated system, since it is necessary to make sure that the pressure water from any natural source was constant. If such a nuisance occurs with "enviable" regularity, you first need to find its causes, and then try to eliminate them.

Pressure units are bar or atmosphere (atmospheric unit). For example, to guarantee the rise of water to a height of 10 meters, it is necessary to create a pressure equal to one bar. The difference between private houses and multi-storey buildings is the lack of clear standards regarding the pressure in the water supply. This value, which is set at the stage of building design, can be different - from 2 to 10 bar (atmospheres).

The old standard (1 atm) is no longer an indicator. A large number of equipment with such pressure will simply refuse to work. The average, most common values ​​​​are in the range of 1.4-2.8 atmospheres, but it is recommended to make a margin. In this case, the water supply system needs a pressure switch. The work of this device is to automate the process.When the pressure drops, the device turns on the pump, when it increases, it turns off.

Pressure and instruments

To ensure pressure, at the design stage it is necessary to provide for all plumbing fixtures that are planned to be installed in the building. Each of them requires its own pressure:

• bath, shower, bidet - 0.2 bar;
• jacuzzi, hydromassage - 0.4 bar;
• heating boiler - at least 2 bar;
• dishwasher - 1.5 bar;
• sink, toilet - 0.2 bar;
• fire extinguishing system - 1.5 bar;
• garden irrigation system - 3.5 bar;
• washing machine - 2 bars.

In order for the operation of household appliances to be as efficient as possible, at least 0.5 atmospheres must be added to the parameters indicated in the passport of the devices. The optimal value for a private house in which they live permanently will be at least 4 bar. This pressure will enable the trouble-free use of all the benefits of civilization, protect water pipes from possible emergencies.

Autonomous System Features

Stability pumping station operation depends on the productivity (debit) of the well or well. If it is insufficient, then the flow rate increases the capabilities of the source, and the pressure is significantly reduced. This situation quite often happens if non-pressure wells and wells are used.

Only artesian wells are able to guarantee the necessary pressure, but even in this case, difficulties may arise, since not all of them are able to provide the required volume of water. Due to a source with a large flow rate, the owners may get another problem: a strong increase in pressure causes the pumping station to fail and the plumbing equipment to wear out quickly.

Working conditions of household appliances

The operation of household appliances associated with water also depends on the pressure in the pipes. For example, a washing and dishwasher, a hot tub, a heating boiler and much more can be installed in an apartment or house. And each of these devices needs certain pressure readings to work properly. For example, the minimum pressure for a faucet in the bathroom, as well as in a shower cabin, should not be lower than 0.3 atm, and for a washbasin and toilet bowl - at least 0.2 atm. The washing machine will not work with a pressure below 2 bar, but for a jacuzzi you will need a pressure of at least 4 atm.

The washing machine will not work if there is insufficient pressure.

Conclusion

In houses with a large number of apartments, the pressure in pipes with cold water is up to 6 atmospheres. The minimum threshold is 0.3 atm. For hot, the range is even smaller. It is equal to a maximum of 4.5. The minimum threshold is also 0.3 atm.

For a single house, its pressure in the pipes is calculated based on the number of floors. You can independently identify a discrepancy between the pressure and the norm, either using a pressure gauge or by conducting a test by filling a 3-liter jar with water for a certain amount of time.

If there is a problem in the common house pipeline, you need to contact the Criminal Code for its solution. With the consent of the tenants and the management company, individual in-house pumps can be installed.