Low Water Pressure Causes

• Typical incoming home water pressure varies from a minimum municipal supply of 40 pounds to a maximum of 80 pounds. However, gravity affects water pressure. One pound of water pressure is lost for every 2.31 feet of water piping, as the pipe climbs vertically through a building for supplying upstairs appliances. In fact, water traveling from a basement to a second story shower can lose as much as 11 to 12 pounds of pressure. Other factors affect water pressure as well. Clogged plumbing and water softening systems all contribute to lowering overall water pressure.
  
  

Booster Pumps

• A booster pump is a simple addition to a home's main water line that effectively increases water pressure for the entire building. Water enters the booster pump. The pump pressurizes the water. The pressurized water exits the pump and travels to a pressure tank. The tank's water supply subsequently feeds the home's water line with increased water pressure.
  
  

Booster Pump Placement

• Locate the main water line's cutoff valve. Install the booster pump after the valve on the main water line supplying the home. Installation at the water line's main entrance into the home pressurizes all the incoming water for the entire home. Depending on the booster size and model, pressure can increase by 50 to 70 pounds for all appliances.
  
  

Drawback

• Typical municipal water supply entering a home has a constant and steady flow. But adding a booster pump to the main water line creates fluctuations in the water flow. The pump's internal mechanism jostles the water as it becomes pressurized, generating variations in pressure. However, the lowest pressure variation will still exhibit higher pressure than the water supply provided before the booster pump installation.
  
  

Check Valve Consideration

• A booster pump projects all of its pressurized water into the home's individual plumbing lines. But some of that pressure may bleed backwards, affecting the general municipal water line attached to the home. Attach a check valve between the main cutoff valve and the booster pump. The check valve stops any backward water pressure movement into the municipal water lines.