Booster Set To Raise Low Water Pressure At High Rise Properties

The need for a booster set to increase water pressure at your property may not be high on the list of your priorities right at this present moment in time.

However, the latest UK government instruction to prevent transmission of coronavirus is for the population to not leave their home until further notice. In the weeks or months ahead, among the many challenges faced by millions of families who are now urged to stay in together is if they live in a tower block or a property at the top of a steep hill and above the reservoirs.

Around 8 per cent of the current London population of 9,304,000 are resident in a tower block or high rise apartment. With everyone in the family at home, it will be more noticeable how water pressure can vary at different times of the day, particularly in the morning when people are taking a bath or shower.

Many people simply put up with a woefully thin trickle of water coming out of their taps or showerhead each morning as they prepare to go out to work, and again, when they return in the evening. It can be frustrating during normal times but how stressful will life become as the current “lockdown” continues. Plus, summer is now on its way…

Booster set for high water usage in summer

Summer brings hot weather when water usage increases. A huge strain on the water network can result in even lower pressure to all those living in tower blocks or steep hills as water cannot be fed fast enough to supply everyone’s taps. As the days and weeks of lockdown across the UK continues into the summer, that meagre dribble of water can become very annoying indeed. Suddenly, “doing something about it” will become a priority when the coronavirus crisis eventually subsides.

In a majority of households, the issue can be simply fixed by installing a booster set – a small water pump which will maintain water pressure and flow rate in all buildings where there is inadequate pressure.

A booster set to raise the water pressure is normally required where mains pressure is low. The majority of UK properties are fed with cold water from a main supply. While cold water taps are fed directly by the main supply in northern England, those living in southern England will also usually have a water storage tank in their home, from which, the supply is then boosted by an electric pump to feed all taps throughout the property.

Booster set may consist of more than one pump

A water tank system will incorporate an air gap to prevent water from “backing up” and contaminating the mains potable water supply. In high rise buildings, a “break tank” are can also be installed in systems requiring booster pumps. A ‘vacuum breaker’ may also be installed at the highest point in each riser pipe in a tall building. A vacuum is prevented from occurring by valves which control the release of air from the system when it starts to refill and  slowing down the rate at which the water enters the system.

In some applications, a booster set may consist of more than one pump. A second pump will act as ‘back up’ to assist the first pump if water capacity exceeds its operational ability while a third pump is on “standby”. All three pumps will also operate on a cycle for even distribution of wear and prevent a build up of stagnant water.

Full commissioning tests on all new systems at working pressure should be for a recommended minimum of eight hours and, as with all water pump systems, it will be essential for the equipment receives annual service and maintenance to ensure optimal pressure is continuously maintained.

Fed up with a dribbling showerhead?
A booster set will raise the pressure
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