I have done some searching on the forum about "water pressure" and "water pumps" and it has been very interesting reads. Although, I still have questions.

Question One:
How do I check the water pressure inside my house accurately?

I feel that I am losing water pressure because my home sits atop a hill. The street (and water main) is about 40ft away and about 8 ft below my house.

Question two:
Is this the reason for my water pressure drop?

Reason being, if I have an oscillating sprinkler on and someone taking a shower, there is ZERO water pressure anywhere else in the house. That is unacceptable for our needs (Two adults and two kids).

I read about booster/water pumps and pressure tanks. If my problem is gravity taking a toll on my water supply, what is actually good enough for me? The house is brand new (2006). It is a four bedroom three bath home. The fourth bedroom and bath is on the second floor. I do want to install a sprinkler system for my lawn (one acre).

Question three:
What type of booster/pump would I need and what type of pressure tank to run what I need?

When we first moved into the house the pressure was very low. I couldn't even turn on the sprayer for the kitchen sink. The plumber came back and upped the pressure. She said that was the max she could go.

Any hints, tips or suggestions would be great.

Thank in advance,
gorked

speedball1

Question One:
"How do I check the water pressure inside my house accurately?"
I take a 100 PSI gage and solder on a 1/2" female adapter. then when I go into a customers house to check the house pressure I remove the shower head and replace it with the gage. When I turn the shower on I can read the house pressure.

"I feel that I am losing water pressure because my home sits atop a hill. The street (and water main) is about 40ft away and about 8 ft below my house.
You will lose about 3 1/2 PSI pumping the water up 8 feet.

"Question three:
What type of booster/pump would I need and what type of pressure tank to run what I need?"

Before I can tell you what you need I'll have to know what you have. Call the city and find out what's the PSI in the street main. Next I have to know what the house pressure is. If you install a booster pump you will have to install a check valve downstream form the pump and tank to maintain house pressure. Let me know, Tom

gorked

Thank you for your response speedball1.


I did pick up a water pressure gauge from Lowes on the way home today. I hooked it up to my front outside spigot. I got about 32psi. I went around back to my other spigot. It was about 35psi. I then turned on my oscillating sprinkler then went and checked the spigot up front again, it read about 25psi.

I wasn't able to get ahold of the city today. They close at 5 EST. Knowing the house pressure and a loss of around 3.5psi coming uphill am I to assume the water pressure is around 40psi from the main?

Hope this helps. And thanks for any more advice and suggestions,
gorked

speedball1

The average city and house pressure is 45PSI, (that's why water towers are 100 feet high). To check out booster pumps for a house with low pressure click on; http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/davpumboossy1.html
Good luck, Tom

gorked

Thank you.

speedball1

You're welcome!