Pressure Boosters

Pressure boosters are needed when pressure from a municipal water system is low because the home sits on a high elevation relative to the nearest water tower. This is common in hilly communities and on the upper floors of multi-story buildings.

If the water pressure in a house seems weak, a licensed professional should be called to inspect the system. If there is a pressure-reducing valve in the line, a simple adjustment may be all that's necessary.

Note: Water pressure should not be confused with flow-rate. If the line is obstructed, water cannot flow. No pump can deliver more water than the incoming line can provide.

A pressure booster should only be connected to a municipal cold water supply line where there is a minimum of 5 psig at all times at the tap closest to the location of the installation. Your local waterworks should be able to tell you what pressure is being provided at your residence.

If the incoming line has adequate pressure but there is low pressure elsewhere in the house, and the pressure loss can't be attributed to elevation, there may be an obstruction in the lines; in these cases, a booster pump will have no effect.

The system consists of a pump connected to a pressure tank. It operates in the same manner as a well tank. A shallow well jet pump mounted on the pressure tank drives the system.

A booster system is different from a well because pressure can build more quickly; so a bypass valve must be installed between the tank and the pump to keep the pressure in the tank from building up in the event that the cut out switch fails; this keeps the pump primed without releasing water.

Remember, even when the pump is off, there is pressure in the system. The pressure booster should be installed in a location where a tank failure will not cause severe property damage.

A booster should never be used where leaks may exist in the system. It should also never be used in series with another pump, including a well pump.

The minimum required supply line for most pumps is either ¾" or 1". A check valve must be installed before the pump to prevent backflow into the city water system, and a pressure relief valve should be installed at the tank in the event the limit switch fails.

Note: If the water supply is turned off or impeded, the pump will never shut off, and it could overheat and fail. Most systems have temperature-limit switches to prevent this, but the risk remains.

After the initial installation the tank should never be re-pressurized. All inlet and outlet pipe connections must be made of metal. Because of the potential risks associated with these systems, they should only be installed by licensed professionals.

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