Pressure hvs in mcd. Video: How to measure water pressure with your own hands

One of the systems that creates comfortable conditions for life - plumbing. The performance of some household appliances depends on how it functions, as well as whether we can normally accept water procedures. We will talk about what the water pressure in the water supply should be and how to increase or decrease it.

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. It must be said that for different types technique requires 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 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 networks centralized water supply standards set the working pressure of water in the water supply 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 they do it 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. bad moment that some devices may have a lower tensile strength, as a result they will also be " weak point”, and their repair usually costs a lot.

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.

Ways to increase the pressure in the water supply

Low water pressure, although not as dangerous as excessively high, is very unpleasant - washing under a thin stream of water is very inconvenient. In addition, household appliances do not work, which also does not bring joy. There are two ways to increase water pressure:

• put .

If the installation of a booster pump in an apartment can still be considered, then you can hardly put a pumping station. Embedding it into the water supply is a dubious undertaking, and there is often simply nowhere to put a storage tank on a couple of cubes. True, if necessary, there is a place for everything - if only the water would flow with normal pressure.

If low pressure is available only in your apartment, most likely you have a clogged filter at the inlet and need to be cleaned. There is a second option - the pipes are clogged. Then you have to change them.

If the pressure is low on the entire riser or even in the house, you should contact the management company. If calls and verbal requests do not help, you can write a collective letter. It is signed by all tenants, taken to the Criminal Code and registered. The letter must be in two copies. One remains in the Criminal Code, the second - with a seal and affixed the incoming number and date of receipt - with one of the residents. In theory, you should be given an answer within a month or take action to fix the problem. If there is no action, this letter can be addressed to the Consumer Protection Committee.

Water pressure booster pump

This equipment raises the pressure existing in the network by 1-3 atm. It is placed in a pipeline break. It usually crashes right after the counter, ensuring the stable operation of water taps. If you also need to ensure the normal functioning of household appliances (washing machine and dishwasher), then the pressure boosting pump is placed directly on the outlet leading to the equipment.

How does he work? It turns on when there is a flow (the faucet is opened or the machine starts to draw water). Turns off when water flow stops. This is how they work automatic models. But there are also manual or combined - which can work both in manual and automatic mode. Manual ones are not very convenient and economical, although they are cheaper. But the combined ones can come in handy if there is a need to increase the pressure, and it is higher than the pump operation limit. Then you can turn it on forcibly - manually.

How to lower the pressure in the water supply

To ensure that all equipment has a normal operating mode and stable pressure, it is advisable to install a gearbox. This is a small device that is placed after the filter. coarse cleaning(large mesh), but before the fine filter (fine mesh). It levels the pressure surges in the water supply, "cutting off" the excess of a certain threshold.

Water pressure reducer - a device for lowering and stabilizing the pressure in the system

There are many different pressure reducers, you need to choose them depending on the situation. Selection criteria:

• The maximum pressure in the system must not exceed the rating pressure of the reducer.
• So that the device can work in the range you need.
• It is necessary to take into account the minimum pressure at which the reducer starts work (from 0.1 bar to 0.7 bar).
• The temperature of the environment with which the device can work. For installation in a hot water system, a temperature of at least 80°C is required.
• How can it be located in space. There are models that are installed vertically, there are horizontal ones, there are universal ones, but they are more expensive.

More expensive models of water pressure reducers may have built-in pressure gauges or filters. If you do not have these devices, it may make sense to purchase one combined instrument. But, according to operating experience, it is easier to maintain individual devices (an exception is a pressure gauge, it can be built-in).

In the view of ordinary residents, water supply is associated with a system of pipes hidden in walls or laid along them, and faucets, when turned, water begins to flow. Many of the ordinary people do not even imagine the complexity of the device of this complex communication network, which has a number of specific features that affect the state of important technical indicators during its operation. One of the main parameters of the quality operation of the system is considered to be the water pressure in the water supply system, the value of which determines the performance of plumbing equipment and comfortable hygiene procedures.

Insufficient pressure, manifested in a weakly flowing trickle of water from the tap, indicates insufficient pressure in water supply network. This problem is especially relevant for owners of city apartments located on the upper floors, as well as for owners country cottages. With a weak pressure, washing machines and dishwashers, showers and jacuzzi bathtubs refuse to work. Residents who are faced with the problem of insufficient water pressure would like to know how to increase the pressure in the water supply once and for all.

Installation of devices providing up to required level, is effective tool combat this problem. True, before using modern equipment, you need to make sure that the pipeline is not clogged.

The problem is fixed in one of two ways:

• installation of a pumping apparatus that contributes to an increase in pressure;
• modernization of the water supply system by installing a pumping station and installing a storage tank.

Which method to choose, each apartment owner decides individually, based on the goals pursued and the amount of water needed to cover all household needs people living with him.

Autonomous plumbing system country house with a pumping station that provides sufficient water pressure in the pipes

What pressure in the water supply is the norm?

The unit of pressure in the water supply network is considered to be 1 bar or 1 atmosphere, which, due to minor discrepancies, are equated to each other.

One bar is equal to 1.0197 atmospheres (technical parameter) or approximately 10 m of water column. The pressure in urban water supply networks is regulated by the requirements of building codes and regulations, amounting to this moment 4 atmospheres. It is possible to understand what pressure in the water supply actually exists only by measuring instruments that are installed to account for water consumption. According to their testimony, the pressure in the water supply can be in the range of 2.5-7.5 atmospheres.

Inserting a pump into a water pipe to increase the water pressure level to the optimum value

When a pressure level of 6-7 atmospheres is reached, malfunctions in the operation of ultra-sensitive plumbing may occur, as well as damage to ceramic valves and connections in the pipeline. Therefore, when buying equipment for subsequent connection to the city water supply network, it is necessary to choose models with a margin of safety that allows the devices to withstand water hammer, that is, sudden pressure surges. Installed mixers, taps, pumps, pipes must withstand a pressure of 6 atmospheres, and during the annual pressure testing of the system - 10 atmospheres.

At what values ​​does household appliances work?

When buying equipment, you need to ask what water pressure in the water supply will be sufficient for it. normal operation. When water enters under pressure of 2 atmospheres, the normal operation of an automatic washing machine is ensured, and this will not be enough for a jacuzzi bath, since this plumbing requires a pressure of 4 atmospheres. With the same indicators, the equipment used for irrigation will work correctly. personal plot with all plants.

It is important to note that in a private house it is necessary to provide such a pressure of water so that several points of water consumption can be turned on without problems at the same time. This is ensured at a minimum pressure of 1.5 bar.

It is also important for owners of country cottages to solve the issue of providing facilities with water for fire extinguishing. For such buildings, a pressure of at least 1.5 l / s will be sufficient.

Specific features of autonomous water supply

The main feature of an autonomously operated water supply system, operating from a source of water intake, independent of central systems water supply is:

• the need to lift fluid from a shaft well or from a well;
• ensuring good pressure at the points of water intake located on any floor of a private country house, and on the site, at its most remote points.

Users of a decentralized water supply network directly depend on both the existing pressure and the daily water consumption.

During operation private system of the water supply system, there are two options for the standard development of the situation, which depend on the productivity (debit) of the mine well or artesian well:

• flow rate of shaft wells and artesian wells with weak pressure, as well as non-pressure wells is not able to cover daily requirement in the water of a family of three to four people. The pressure drops due to the periodic emptying of the source. How to raise the pressure in the water supply in this case? What kind technical means engage in this? Questions are not idle for the inhabitants of a country house.
• flow rate of a pressure (artesian) well significantly exceeds required flow water per day, approximately 500 liters. A high-performance pump under such conditions can create a maximum allowable pressure level of 6 atmospheres. Exceeding pressure contributes to the occurrence of leaks at the joints, as well as premature wear of plumbing.

When choosing pumping equipment it is necessary to pay attention to its performance, which should most closely match the well flow rate and the planned water flow. Moreover, for a guideline, they take the daily water consumption characteristic of summer period, which is the busiest interval in terms of water consumption.

Devices built into the plumbing system allow you to control the level of water pressure in the pipes

Options for increasing the pressure in the water supply

A pump, the tie-in of which is carried out directly into the pipe of the cold water supply system directly at the inlet of the general water supply to a separate apartment. An autonomous network can be equipped with additional pumps that increase pressure by installing them in front of the disassembly points. The operation of compact pumps is regulated manually or automatically by means of a control system, which is equipped with most models. However, such pumps are only suitable for those residents who are thinking about how to increase the pressure in the water supply to a minimum value of 1.5 atm.

More global problems able to solve pumping station, equipped with a storage tank, which is necessary in case of alternation low pressure water in the network with its complete absence in the pipes. A storage tank or a hydraulic accumulator ensures the availability of water reserves covering the daily need for water.

Servicing a pumping station is harder than a pump embedded in the system. She needs more space. The tank needs regular cleaning. Installation of a large accumulator can be done in the basement, on the roof, or, in general, buried in the ground.

Pump station with storage tank allows you to provide the daily need for water for residents of an apartment or a country house

Professional advice on how to produce, justified by the presence of accurate calculations of the performance of the equipment introduced into the system, can be given by designers of companies involved in the development and installation of autonomous communications. Upgrade the network finished project maybe plumbers from housing departments. With experience, the owner of an apartment or house is also able to perform such work.

Normal pressure in heating systems, cold and hot water supply, allows them to work with maximum efficiency. That is why, when designing these networks, it is very important to focus on water supply pressure standards.

If the pressure is below the optimum, it will become inconvenient or even impossible to use the water supply. And if it is higher, there is a risk of failure of working units and water folding devices.

What you need to know and do to optimize the operation of such systems, you will learn from this article.

Regulations

Pressure standards in the water supply system are regulated by SNiP 2.04.02-84 and 2.04.01.85.

According to these documents, their allowable limits should be within the following limits:

• Cold water supply 0.3-6 atmospheric units;
• Hot water supply 0.3-4.5 atmospheric units.

This is extremely allowed values under which the system will work. But how to work is a completely different question. But first things first.

How is pressure measured in a pipeline?

The unit of pressure is 1 bar. This is the pressure that a ten-meter column of water creates on the surface.

It is also often measured in atmospheric units, which are practically equal to the bar in their digital values. More precisely, 1 bar = 1.0197 atm. The difference is insignificant, so it doesn't really matter.

What pressure is considered optimal

According to the same building codes, working pressure of cold water supply in apartment building should be equal to four atmospheres.

But in reality, it can turn out to be both higher and lower than this value - depending on which floor the apartment is located on, and on the activity of water consumption by neighbors. Small deviations in one direction or another are acceptable, and 4 bar at the inlet is the pressure that will ensure comfortable and safe use of the system for all consumers.

The situation is somewhat different with private low-rise buildings. Since the maximum height of water rise in them rarely exceeds 10 meters, other water supply standards apply here: a pressure of 2-3 bar is considered normal.

All of the above applies mainly to cold water supply. The operating pressure in the hot water supply system may be lower, since the main appliances, which require a certain pressure for normal operation, are powered by cold water.

Dishwasher

Each of these devices has its own standard pressure for water supply:

• The maximum "requests" for a bath with a jacuzzi system - it requires a pressure of 4 atmospheres for normal functioning;
• Approximately the same, or slightly less, is needed for irrigation large area through stationary sprayers;
• Washing and dishwasher will not work at pressures below 2 bar;
• It will be possible to take a shower comfortably if the minimum pressure in the system is 1.5 atmospheres;
• At least 1.5-2 atmospheres will be required for autonomous fire extinguishing devices if the house is equipped with such a useful system.

Advice. Buying a similar household appliances, always pay attention to its performance characteristics, including the value of the minimum pressure for which it is designed. A consultant or instructions for the device will help you get this data.

In a private house with autonomous water supply, it must be designed in such a way that there is enough pressure in the system for all consumers - even with the simultaneous operation of all taps and appliances. In other words, the pump should be taken with a margin of power.

What and how is the pressure in the system measured

Measure pressure in pipelines special devices- manometers.

• They are always on heating systems, and heating boilers most often supplied with a manometer.
• They are also at the water inlet to apartment buildings.
• But private traders, if they want to control the pressure in the water supply system, need to take care of this on their own by installing a measuring device next to the meter with their own hands.

These household measuring instruments can have a scale from 0 to 6, 7, and even 10 atmospheres. In the network, such jumps and periods of water supply under high pressure are really possible. But it is advisable not to allow them, keeping the pressure in the range from 1.5 to 4 bar.

Note. At a lower pressure, water-consuming appliances will not turn on, it will become inconvenient to use the shower. But too high pressure can cause much more trouble, leading to leaks, breakage of valves and other plumbing. Especially if this is the working pressure in hot water supply.

Creating and maintaining pressure in an autonomous water supply

The problem of excessive pressure is quite rare, so let's talk about how to raise the pressure in the water supply to an acceptable level. Both in a private house and in a city apartment, you can find the opportunity to do this if you include special pumping equipment in the system (see).

Features of autonomous water supply

From centralized autonomous water supply has the following features:

• Before supplying water to the house, it must first be raised to the surface from a well or well. What is the power of the pump used for?

• Ensure the standard pressure in the cold water supply system is required for all points that are located on different distance from the generating unit and can be placed at different heights.

• The water source may have too low a flow rate in order to maintain normal pressure in the network for a long time. As long as there is water, the liquid will flow from good pressure, but as the well is empty, it will weaken, and then the flow of fluid into the system will stop altogether.

• If there is enough water in the source, but the pump is too powerful, the constant supply under high pressure can lead to premature wear of the system.

Almost all of the above problems are easily solved the right choice water lifting equipment. In addition to the one associated with insufficient pressure.

How to optimize water pressure

There are several proven ways to solve this problem:

• It can be included in the system, which will forcibly increase the pressure in it. It makes sense to do this only if there is enough water in the source, but it comes to remote or high points of consumption, having lost along the way. most head. Such pumps can be controlled manually or automatically. The second method is preferable, since the automation will control the start and stop of the pump when necessary.

For reference. Such pumps can also be installed in apartments. multi-storey buildings. But in this case, you risk leaving the lower neighbors completely without water.

• With insufficient flow rate, the use of a booster pump will only exacerbate the problem. In this case, only a pumping station with a sufficiently large reservoir for water accumulation will help to solve it. She works on following principle: as long as there is no drawdown, the pump pumps water into the tank. It is a hydraulic accumulator (see), which, due to the presence of two cavities (water and air), creates pressure in the cold water supply system - the norm is set by the homeowner himself. After filling the accumulator, the pump is turned off, and the well is replenished in the meantime. When the tap is opened, water enters the system from the tank with set pressure. When it drops to the minimum set value, the pump turns on again and pumps water.

• Another way involves the use of a large storage capacity. If you put it at the highest point of the house (in the attic or attic), it will be filled with the main pump, as in the previous case, and fed to the consumer by gravity. But to achieve a decent pressure in this case is unlikely to succeed. It is better to buy an additional pump that will pump water already from the barrel. Then it can be installed anywhere, even in the basement.

It is important! storage capacity must be equipped with float valves that will turn off the pump when it is filled and prevent overflow.

Conclusion

As you probably understood, the pressure standards in the water supply system can differ quite significantly from real values. If the house is not equipped with complex appliances, the operation of which depends on the presence of a certain pressure, reduced rates will not cause much discomfort. Because for washing dishes or taking a shower, one and a half atmospheres is enough.

If the pressure is even lower, this is already a problem that needs to be addressed. You just read how to do this, but it will not be superfluous to watch an additional video in this article.

Residents of high-rise buildings have repeatedly encountered a situation where a frail trickle of water flows from an open tap.

This is due to a lack of pressure in the pipeline.

What water pressure should be in the water supply of an apartment building so that, regardless of the number of open taps, the use of the blessings of civilization is comfortable for each of its inhabitants?

Household drinking water supply (this is how the builders call our water supply network that delivers water to the apartment) is designed based on the requirements of SNiP 2.04.02-84.

It says: for different points the network is assigned its own standard pressure level.

The pressure in the water supply of the upper floors depends on the level at which the pressure in the network is maintained at the entrance to the house.

This parameter depends on the number of floors. If the building is one-story, then at the inlet the water pressure in the network must be at least 10 mV. Art. or 1.0197 atm. This means that the pressure in the pipe is enough to raise the water to a height of 10 meters. In multi-storey buildings, for each subsequent floor, another 4 m2 should be added. Art. For example, in a 5-storey building, the water pressure at the entrance to the building should be 10 + 4x4 = 26 mV. Art. If the resulting figure is converted to atmospheres, the result will be as follows:

(26:10) x 1.0197 = 2.65 atm

However, the above figure is not a boundary, but a calculated one. According to the standards in force in Russia, the pressure at the inlet to the house is 4 atm, which is considered normal for a centralized water supply system. (approximately 40 m w. Art.).

Insufficient pressure in the tap is a situation that many have encountered. If this happens often, you need to correct the situation. — indispensable assistant for your comfort.

You will find a manual for making a check valve with your own hands.

Bailer - simple and very useful device for well cleaning. Here you will find instructions for making it yourself, and also learn how to punch a well with this tool.

Accurate figures according to regulatory documents

SNiP 2.04.02-84 stipulates the maximum allowable free water pressure at the entrance to the apartment: it should not be higher than 6 atm.

That is, if you live in a 22-storey building, the pressure at the input to it will be at least 9.4 atm, but when the pipeline enters the apartment, this parameter should be reduced to 6 atm.

Moreover, there are norms for the free pressure of water for each type plumbing fixtures:

• 0.2 atm - for a washbasin with a mixer, a toilet bowl with a flush cistern;
• 0.3 atm - for baths and showers with a mixer.

Max pressure hot water in the area of ​​plumbing fixtures should not exceed 4.5 atm.

The above values ​​are valid not only for a centralized water supply network, but also for autonomous water supply.

What pressure is enough for full consumption?

Most residents apartment buildings use water in a very predictable way. They shower periodically, wash dishes daily, wash their face and turn on the washing machine several times a week. To ensure these manipulations, it is enough to have a head (pressure) of 2 atm in the water supply system. If a massage shower or jacuzzi is installed in the bathroom, they will only work at a pressure of at least 4 atm.

Excessively high pressure in the network leads to rapid wear or irreversible destruction of ceramic mixers and sanitary equipment.

Some features of autonomous water pipelines

The source of autonomous water supply is a well or a well.

In both cases, water is supplied to the pipeline through pumps. It is this unit that creates the pressure in the pipes necessary to deliver water to consumers - taps, washing machines or dishwashers, etc.

However, not only its power and performance affect the level of free pressure in the water supply. The debit of the well plays an important role in this matter.

If there is not enough water in the source, the pump will not be able to provide the necessary pressure in the network immediately after it is turned on. In the case of excess water in the well, there is a risk of a significant increase in pressure, which can lead to various kinds accidents - leaks, failure of taps, etc.

In the first case, the homeowner has to take measures to increase the water pressure in the water supply, in the second - to choose the right pump performance so that it plays the role of a kind of limiter.

How to increase the water pressure in the water supply

A decrease in pressure in the pipeline can occur for several reasons:

1. Gusts on the city highway. Network engineering in most cities they are of a very respectable age, so water leakage on the way to the consumer is not uncommon. The owner of the apartment cannot eliminate this reason, so it remains to rely on the city authorities.
2. "Overgrown" pipes of the house water supply. In old houses inner surface pipes are deposited with a huge amount of precipitation, as a result of which their throughput is significantly reduced. It is easy to fix this problem: you just need to replace the risers and wiring inside the apartment.

What should be done if the plumbing system is not able to provide a normal level of free pressure? There is only one way out in this case - to install pumping equipment in the apartment.

Water pressure booster pump

The pumping station used by the owners of private houses is hardly suitable here:

• First, install such equipment on centralized water supply is not permitted without special approval. And the neighbors are unlikely to agree to this - they will definitely remain completely without water.
• Secondly, pumping stations are large-sized equipment, and it is very problematic to install them in an apartment. And if we add to this the strapping, it becomes clear that such a unit is not suitable for an average apartment.

But not everything is so gloomy - manufacturers of pumping equipment produce booster pumps designed specifically for an "apartment" installation.

Pump classification

Pumps that increase the pressure of water in the water supply system, designed for use in an apartment, are a small device installed at the inlet of the pipeline to the apartment. Almost all pumps can operate in two modes:

• manual;
• automatic.

Automated pumps to increase the pressure turn on independently when any of the existing taps in the apartment is opened. The flow sensor provides this function. It is triggered by the movement of water in the plumbing. Pumps equipped with these sensors are protected from burnout when running dry.

Automated booster pump

Booster pumps according to the principle of operation of the cooling system are classified as follows:

• With a dry rotor: an impeller is mounted on the rotor, which pumps air onto the motor housing. The efficiency of such models is high, but their work is accompanied by noise.
• Wet Rotor: Water flows through the pump, cooling the motor. The main advantage of such pumps is their silent operation.

Some models of booster centrifugal pumps are designed only for hot or cold water.

Pump for water pressure in the water supply

The most popular brand pumps among apartment owners are:

• Comfort: efficient and economical devices. Pumps of this brand are classified as universal - they can be installed on hot and cold water. The body of the product is made of of stainless steel. There are seven modifications that differ from each other in the design head (from 8 to 10 m) and throughput (nominal - from 8 to 12 l / min, maximum - from 20 to 30 l / min);
• WILO: European-class domestic pumps, excellent quality, versatile. Vilo pumps are equipped with a flow sensor, the motor cooling system is a “wet rotor”. They are designed for a maximum head of 9 to 20 m and throughput 2.4 to 35 l/min (depending on model);

received good reviews and UNIPUMP pump. Differs in small assembly length that provides convenience of its installation.

How to reduce the water pressure in the plumbing

Too high pressure in the pipeline can lead to the destruction of pipes and the failure of household appliances.

Everyone knows the terrible word "water hammer", as a result of which taps begin to drip, fistulas appear on the pipe, etc.

You can protect the intra-apartment water supply network from such troubles with the help of a small device - a water pressure reducer.

Household appliances are set to an inlet pressure of not more than 60 bar. At the outlet, the reducer can maintain a pressure of 0.5 to 6 bar.

The water pressure regulator in the water supply system can be installed at the water supply inlet to the apartment or in front of household appliances- boiler washing machine and other devices that do not tolerate high pressure.

How to know the pressure

Accurate information about the pressure in the pipeline is required when developing a system for its normalization. To do this, install a water pressure gauge to measure the water pressure in the water supply and take readings from it within a week.

This is done at least 4 times a day: at night and in the morning, afternoon and evening. Based on the results obtained, the maximum and minimum values, which are compared with regulatory requirements. Based on the result obtained, the optimal method of increasing the pressure is selected.

You have probably encountered such a problem as noise in water pipes Oh. Many try not to pay attention to this, but in fact this problem needs to be addressed. and how to diagnose and fix the problem, read on.

We will analyze the ways to replace the gasket in the tap in the topic.

Related video

For the normal functioning of plumbing equipment in an apartment, the pressure in the water supply network must correspond to certain values. To measure pressure, the unit of measurement is usually bar or atmosphere (1 bar \u003d 1.0197 atm.). According to building codes, the pressure in the apartment should be within 4 bar. At the same time, for the normal functioning of the water supply system in the apartment, the pressure can be in the range from 2 to 6 bar.

The water pressure from the tap in the apartment is not high enough

Plumbing in the apartment

The scheme of the water supply network in the apartment is shown in the figure below.

Scheme of the water supply network in the apartment

As can be seen from the figure, many devices are connected to the apartment water supply, which need to be supplied with water of the appropriate pressure. To shut off the water in case of repair or installation of plumbing equipment, taps (1) are provided. A manometer (2) is used to control the pressure. A filter (3) is provided for coarse water purification. It also shows devices for regulating the pressure in the network, such as an expansion tank (8) and a pressure reducer (4). A fine filter (5) is used to purify water. Also installed on the system check valve(6) to prevent water leakage from the accumulator (8). Actually expansion tank installed relief valve(7) for reset overpressure. Also, to relieve excess pressure on the system, a valve (9) is provided with drain tap(ten). It is triggered when the pressure in the network rises to critical and discharges water from the system. On the boiler, which is designed to receive hot water, an automatic air vent (11) is installed, which serves to bleed air from the boiler tank. The thermostatic mixer (12) is used to bring hot water to the desired temperature by mixing it with cold water. A thermometer (13) is used to control the hot water temperature. Collectors (14) are provided for distributing water to consumers according to the collector scheme.

Low pressure is usually observed on the upper floors, and high - on the contrary, on the lower ones. Therefore, in the first case, it is necessary to install devices for increasing pressure, and in the second - for lowering.

In order not to create too much pressure on the lower floors, especially in multi-storey buildings (more than 9 floors), zoning is used, that is, water is supplied to the lower floors by one riser, and to the upper floors by another. Also, in some cases, to supply water to upper floors pumping stations are used.

Low and high pressure

At low pressure:

1. Many devices in the apartment that use water, such as washing machines or dishwasher are designed to work at a certain pressure, so they simply will not work if the pressure is below normal.

With low pressure in the water supply network, it is impossible to take a shower or just wash the dishes normally, especially if an instantaneous water heater is used to heat hot water.

1. The mechanism of the toilet bowl functions poorly and at the same time it often becomes clogged, which creates certain inconveniences.

High pressure also creates certain problems:

1. in pipes, especially threaded connections, leaks appear, which requires a certain amount of time to eliminate them. Moreover, if the pressure increase occurs periodically, then it is also not so easy to determine the places of leaks, since at low pressure they may not manifest themselves.
2. Many devices are designed for a certain maximum pressure, and therefore, at very high pressure, they can either work incorrectly or fail altogether.
3. If the pressure is very high and at the same time it can rise and fall sharply, then a pipeline rupture may occur in some place. At the same time, more than one apartment in the house will be flooded.

Water pressure regulation

To increase the pressure in the apartment, devices such as pumps and pumping stations are used:

1. Pumps are placed in the water supply system at low pressure in the network, such a device is able to raise the water pressure in the water supply by 1.5-2 bar. You can install both constantly running pumps, and those that turn on when you open a water tap. Moreover, the installation according to the second option is better, since it not only saves electricity, but also increases the life of the pump. A variant of such a pump is shown in the figure below.

Centrifugal pump for maintaining pressure in the water supply

With very low water pressure in the water supply or its complete absence, just put centrifugal pump it will not work, you will have to install a pumping station. This unit consists of a pump, a hydraulic accumulator and a pressure switch that regulates the flow required pressure. The pumping station is shown in the figure below.

What does the pumping station look like?

A rubber membrane is installed in the accumulator, dividing the tank into two zones: water and air. Air is pumped into the air zone under a certain pressure, which is controlled by a pressure gauge. With this device, you can accumulate a certain volume of water under pressure and use it in the absence of hot water in the network. The device of the accumulator tank is shown in the figure below.

The design of the accumulator

As can be seen from the figure, the device is a tank with a rubber membrane inside. Without water, the membrane is in a compressed state. When water enters, the air around the membrane is compressed, and the membrane itself is stretched, filling with water. Thus, the accumulation of water of a certain volume under pressure is ensured. If there is water in the water supply network, the tank is filled with water, and in its absence, water flows back into the system. To fill the tank with air, a special spool is provided, through which air is pumped in by a pump.

To adjust the pressure in the accumulator, the pumping station has a pressure gauge and a pressure switch that turns on the pump at low pressure and turns it off at high pressure. The device has a very simple design and is a membrane that bends under the action of water pressure and opens or closes contacts.

Before you think about installing a pump, you need to make an audit of the water pipes. Perhaps the cause of low pressure is clogging.

To prevent overpressure, a special pressure regulator is needed. The principle of operation of this device is based on the interaction of a piston or membrane with a spring and water pressure. The greater the pressure of the water, the greater the counteracting force of the spring and vice versa. Appearance and the scheme of operation of such a device is shown in the figure below.

Scheme of the structure of the apartment pressure regulator

The device is a structure consisting of a housing (1), in which the pressure control mechanism in the network is located. As can be seen from the figure, the water entering the regulator on the right passes through the spool (5) and at the same time enters the movement zone of the diaphragm with the spring (10), which acts on the diaphragm through the stop cone (7). The membrane, in turn, pushes the piston (4) connected to the spool (5). A gasket (13) is used to seal the spool. O-rings (11) and (12) are provided to seal the piston and diaphragm. At the same time, the greater the pressure of water, the more it will counteract itself.

Thus, they achieve regulation of the pressure of water in the water supply network. Setting the desired pressure is provided by a screw (8), which compresses and unclenches the spring. The spring is located in the housing cover (2) and is closed by a protective cap (9). This simple device works well and for a long time when correct operation. Instead of plug (3), a pressure gauge can be installed to measure the pressure.

How to provide water pressure

From the above devices for regulating water in an apartment, you can choose exactly the one that fits the conditions of one particular apartment. For example, if the pressure in the network is constantly high, and the water supply is provided around the clock, then it is enough to install a pressure regulator at the outlet from the riser. The same can be done if the pressure constantly "jumps" from the nominal to the maximum value. The pressure regulator will even out all these jumps and provide a normal stable pressure in the network.

If the network pressure is low, then you can install a pressure gauge and a booster pump with activation from the opening of the tap. This pump will be able to provide water pressure up to the nominal value. Moreover, if the pressure constantly jumps from the minimum to the maximum value, then you need to install a pump, a pressure gauge, and a pressure regulator. Moreover, the regulator is installed after the pump in the direction of water movement. When installing the regulator, you need to make sure that it is installed correctly, that is, the arrow on the body corresponds to the direction of water movement.

In the difficult situation, when there are constant pressure drops from the minimum to the maximum value, and there are interruptions in the water supply, the pumping station paired with the pressure regulator will help out. Moreover, if you do not need to increase the pressure, that is, the water is supplied intermittently, but the pressure is normal, you can simply install a hydraulic accumulator, a pressure gauge and a pressure regulator. In this case, it is necessary to install a check valve in front of the accumulator, otherwise when the water supply stops, it will go back to the riser from the accumulator.

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