Hi - I installed a pressure booster about a year ago to help solve the low water pressure problem, which it did perfectly. I know I should have put in a pressure tank too, but I never did. Now I want to correct that, but have no idea what I should look for.

One company I found indicated I should get an 87 gallon tank based on the s6 GPM capability of my booster. That seems like a massive tank to me, but I don't want to undersize it and damage it in the process.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Matt

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Originally Posted by plumbbob

Hi - I installed a pressure booster about a year ago to help solve the low water pressure problem, which it did perfectly. I know I should have put in a pressure tank too, but I never did. Now I want to correct that, but have no idea what I should look for.

One company I found indicated I should get an 87 gallon tank based on the s6 GPM capability of my booster. That seems like a massive tank to me, but I don't want to undersize it and damage it in the process.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Matt

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Hey Matt,
Are you on a pump or city water? Why is the house pressure so low? Please describe your pressure booster, make, model # and how it's installed on your house system. How long has it been in and why do you think you need a pressure tank now? Give me all the details. I'll wait on your reply. Tom

Tom,

We're on city water, but live at the highest point in the city where water pressure is 30 PSI on a good day (and TV reception is awful with all the broadcast towers up here).

The booster is a Flotec FP4815, and it's installed at the service entrance to the house. Service enters, then a shutoff, then the booster, next a check valve then a pressure control valve. After that is another shutoff and off to the first service item. It's been installed just under 2 years.

As for why I think I need it now, I was watching This Old House and they discussed needing one for a well system to prevent the constant on/off wear on the pump. They also discussed the loss of pressure you can experience before the pump kicks on, which we have in our setup.

I guess my biggest worry is that the pump is ALWAYS going on and off. Every time we flush a toilet, wash hands, etc. I can understand the need for some of the big stuff like showering and washing dishes, but such small water uses make me feel like we're killing this thing.

Thanks for all your help.

Matt

You are correct about the need for a pressure tank. Constantly starting and stopping any electrical equipment is the worst thing to do to it. Size the tank for the house, not the pump. If the tank is big enough, even the biggest pump should stay off until the pressure drops again.

Thanks for the reply... how would you suggest sizing the tank for the house? I changed out our water heater last year and moved up to a 75 gal, knowing that we have 2 adults and 2 kids, plus regular house guests (grandparents) and 5 bathrooms.

Matt

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Originally Posted by plumbbob

Thanks for the reply...how would you suggest sizing the tank for the house? I changed out our water heater last year and moved up to a 75 gal, knowing that we have 2 adults and 2 kids, plus regular house guests (grandparents) and 5 bathrooms.

Matt

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I went to the pump web site and they recommend a bladder tank, your plumber wishes to install a much larger galvanized pressure tank, Check it out at; http://www.pumpbiz.com/products/inde...roduct_id=8915

I can see a cut in point on the control box but no cut out pressure point. I don't see where this is any different then a well system, ( in fact I would have treated it as such instead of kicking out 500$ for a booster pump). The water entering your house could have gone into a shallow well pump with a bladder tank to prevent it from running whenever you flush or draw a drink. The only difference would be the setting on the pressure control, (which you still may have to install). I would set the cut in at 35 PSI and the cut out at 50 PSI. Good luck and let me know what you decide on. Tom

The bigger the better for tanks, but usually residential pressure boosters have about a 10 - 20 gallon tank. Here's one: SyncroFlo » CondoFlo

I think SB is on the right track. If you look at as a well system, then you would be looking at a 40 gallon or so bladder tank. The smaller tanks would probably do all right, but the fewer times the pump has to cycle, the better off you will be. Plus, a larger tank tends to "smooth out" the pressure curve, so you won't notice so much the pressure going from cutin to cutoff and back so easily. One other item. Be sure to put the check valve between the pressure tank and the pump. Otherwise, your tank will "push" water back down to the city's system once the pump cuts off.