Water pressure pumps or booster pumps as they are also known are designed to help increase the volume and pressure of water flow from various water sources, to a water outlet.

One of the biggest reasons to install a pressure pump is to assist with the correction of low water pressure which can be a very frustrating problem to have, especially when it comes to activities like showering under a trickle of water or waiting very long to fill a glass of water.

Below are commonly asked questions regarding pressure pumps:

HOW DOES A PRESSURE PUMP WORK?

A pressure pump is basically a motorised fan. The blades of the fan/impeller spin around to increase water movement and are powered by an electric motor.

Everything You Need To Know About Pressure Pumps in Zimbabwe

All pressure pumps have an inlet and an outlet, and sensing devices, usually a pressure switch or flow control, that helps with maintaining the correct amount of pressure. For more control around the cut-off pressure etc. a pump pressure switch can be installed.

WHEN IS A PRESSURE PUMP NEEDED?

There is a multitude of household water pressure problems a pressure pump can help alleviate. Basically, a pressure pump can be used in any instance where a higher flow rate or increased water pressure is required, or to get water from point A to point B.

Typical applications include:

Bringing water out of a water/rain harvesting tank.
Increasing a home’s household pressure if it is too low.
Increasing water pressure for irrigation systems.
Pumping water from an alternative water source such as a river, pond or stream.
Feeding water to an apparatus that might require high volumes of water at a higher pressure for an industrial application.
Boost water pressure as a result of low supply from city water.
Push water from ground levels up multiple levels.

WHAT CAUSES LOW WATER PRESSURE?

Gravity – pumping uphill or to a house with multiple levels.
Distance from the water source – the further the distance, the lower the pressure due to friction losses in the pipe.
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.
Low city water pressure.
Overuse of your water system by adding additional systems such as fixtures or irrigation systems.
Plumbing problems such as clogged pipes, faulty pressure valves, small pipes, leaks etc. These issues can not be solved with a pressure pump.

WILL A PRESSURE PUMP HELP WITH FLOW RATE AND/OR ENHANCE PRESSURE?

Flow rate refers to the amount of water running through a hose, pipe or faucet in a certain amount of time. Water Pressure is the force that is needed to make water move from one place to another, or can also refer to the force the water exerts once released from a pipe or faucet.

Typically, pressure pumps boost water pressure, and can also, improve flow rate. The function of a pressure pump is to push water at a faster rate and a higher pressure. But these two states influence each other, and this is why it is important to understand and refer to pump curves. As the flow rate goes up, the pressure comes down.

To visualise the relationship between pressure and flow rate, image a running garden hose that you put your thumb over. By restricting flow rate with your thumb, the water comes out of the hose at a higher pressure. A pressure pump works in a similar way. The pump provides increased water flow/a high flow rate at very low pressure. The plumbing of the house, with multi-story’s, elbows in the piping and taps create restrictions (like the thumbs on the hose) which means the flow rate for the home is going to be lower.

HOW TO SELECT A PRESSURE PUMP:

The first step to selecting the correct pressure pump is to know what it is going to be used for;

Over what distance will the water be moved?
What is the size of the pipe through which the water will be pumped?
Is the water source above or below the pump?
Know the extent to which the pressure pump needs to work – Is the house a multiple-story unit, with one or two bathrooms?
How much water do you need to move or how many outlets must the pump be able to supply at one time?
How much pressure is needed?

These are important questions and factors that will influence the type and quality pump that need 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?

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