pump for water pressure

[Hologramdr]

I was told by a friend that a pump can be added to my building to increase the water pressure. It's a 2 flat and the water pressure on the second floor isn't good. A plumber checked out the place and said that he thinks the pipe from the street supply is too small in diameter and to fix the pressure I should have it changed. There is an added problem to this which is that if I change the pipe I also have to add a water meter to the building which all together would cost an additional $3K. I live in Chicago and right now my building's water bill is estimated because the building is over 100 years old and never had a water meter put in. If I upgrade the plumbing then the city insists that a meter be put in. As for the low pressure, there isn't anything clogging the pipes or the valves, the plumber checked that out. The building was rehabbed, by an idiot, about 2 years ago and he did everything without a permit so he never added the water meter when he did work on the place. Although there are a lot of code violations, the plumber said that none of them would affect the water pressure. Can I add a pump to increase the water pressure or would that do nothing since it's the volume of water that is the problem? Thanks.

[jadnashua]

If the original supply lines are galvanized, then they are likely a major part of your problem. If you don't have the requisite volume able to be supplied, then adding a pump won't help unless you put in a storage tank as well. My guess is that the city's pressure is okay, but you've got a volume problem. You can check that out fairly inexpensively - buy a water pressure guage. With all of the faucets off, check your static pressure - my guess is that it is okay (probably about 60# or so?). If that is okay, see what it drops to if you open a faucet, my guess is that it will drop, since you can drain it off faster than it can get through the obstructed supply line. If you put in a pressure tank as used with a well pump, it might be able to supply the volume you want until the tank's volume was used up (assuming that the supply water can't keep up). My unprofessional opinion.

[Gary Swart]

Gotta agree with Jim. There is a common misunderstanding about water pressure and water volume. Old fashioned galvanized pipe gradually corrodes and it is likely that you may only have a 1/4" opening for water to pass through. The city's pressure remains constant at somewhere around 60 lbs, but that small pipe can not carry the volume of water that is needed. The pressure will still be 60 lbs. A pressure gauge can be purchased from hardware stores for less than $10. Connect it to a faucet, and when you turn the faucet on, it will show the pressure is 60 lbs. I have no idea why it should cost $3K to install a meter and run a copper supply line unless the street has to be dug up, but you likely have no alternative but to bite the bullet and put the meter and new line in. A pump will not increase the volume of water because the volume is controlled by the constricted pipe. The plumber was correct about the code discrepencies not affecting the water flow. These are most likely drain and/or technical violations.

[Hologramdr]

I thought that was the answer I was going to get, but it's always good to ask. Thanks for your input. As for the cost, digging up and having to put the pipe under the building is a lot of the cost. I bought a money pit and the costs of repair keep adding up! It seems like everything has some kind of a problem!
Thanks again,
Dane :)

[Gary Swart]

Welcome to the club. We all seem to have a money pit of some kind. Again, not knowing the physical layout, it's impossible to give specific suggestions or ideas, but perhaps there are some ways that the new line could be brought in that would not require so much under-the-building excavation, but I fear there is no magic potion for this problem. I think it is likely that the meter and new supply line are just the beginning. My feeling is the whole building's pipes are going to have to be replaced. Good luck!

[hj]

If you install a "packaged" pump system, it will help increase the volume and pressure IF the line to the pump can supply sufficient water. If not the pump will be starved and cavitate which will damage it in a short time.