How To Install A Water Pressure Booster Pump
If you want to increase water pressure in your home, add a water booster pump. A water booster pump puts an end to watching water slowly trickle. The water pump transfers water from the city's supply into the home's supply.
Installing a water pressure pump is easy for a beginning DIY person. Here are tips to install a water pressure pump.
Prepare to Work
For this project, you need:
- work gloves
- emery cloth
- rags
- plumber
- two wrenches
- water pressure gauge
- plumber's tape
- concrete pad
- water-proof pump housing
- water pipe pieces
- pipe nipple
- booster pump
Check with your city to be certain the pump is allowed. Determine the best location for the pump, which is a warm spot.
If possible, install it near an electrical outlet. Otherwise, you will need to install a new outlet. Buy a pump to fit the size of the main water line.
Shut off the main water supply to the house, which is near the water meter. Rotate the valve to the right. Open all faucets to release excess water in the system.
Measure Water Pressure
Buy a water pressure gauge from a hardware store. You need to know the PSI (pounds per square inch). Connect the pressure gauge to an outdoor spigot.
The PSI should not go over 75 PSI, but the ideal PSI is 60. If the PSI reads 30 PSI, the pressure is too low, and you would need to buy a pump that increases the PSI by 30.
Install the Pump
Clean the pipe with an emery cloth. Wrap a rag around the pipe to prepare for dripping water.
You may need an extra wrench to hold one pipe while you detach the other. Disconnect the nut on the pipe in front of the main water line with the wrench. Remove enough pipes, so the pump and the check valve fits easily on the water line.
Set the pump on the concrete pad. Attach the input slot on the pump to the water line and regulator. Connect the pump output to the pipe leading to the house. Tighten the connections.
Connect a pipe nipple to the pump's entry hole. Secure the pipe nipple with a wrench.
Connect the pipe pieces. Add the check valve at the end of the pipe nipple to help prevent back flow. The arrow on the check valve should point to the pump.
Install the water-proof pump housing. Seal the pipe connections with plumber's tape.
Plug in the pump, restore the water, and watch for leaks. If the pump doesn't work, or you don't trust your skills, contact a company like County Pump & Supply Co.