Can I increase mains water pressure?

Hermy

Mains water pressure is very poor in our estate (Dublin 14) and I'm wondering is there anything that can be done to improve it. As a for instance you wouldn't wash the car on a windy day cause the trickle from the hose would blow away.:(

Buford T Justice

Contact the council, other than that, no.

Sparkpea

you can get a mains water pump but I'd never really recommend them.

jeepers101

If the hose is the only thing about it that bothers you there are other solutions

Joey the lips

If fingal county councils legislation is the same as dublin city which it most likely is then you can increase the mains pressure by 1/4 horse power. NJ Power in ballymount is a good source of techanical advice on this but i think they might only deal with the trade. No harm in you saying your a plumber i imagine.

Outside that you can put a 1000 -1200 ltr water tank in your garden and connect the mains to it and use a water pump to boost it into the house.

This is an unusual question for a home owner. Reason being the expense of boosting the mains out ways the problem.

jeepers101

Unless he specifically needs it for the garden hose, in which case there are relatively inexpensive solutions such as a pressure washer or butt and sump pump.

urbanachiever1

After the winter freeze the stop-cock under the pavement in front of our house was replaced by the council. The pressure is much higher since. My point being that the pressure up to the stop-cock was high and was reduced by an old stop-cock. Check with neighbours to see if they have higher pressure than yourself and if so stop-cock replacement could work. Though you'll be waiting for the council to tackle it.

Antiquo

jeepers101 wrote: »

Unless he specifically needs it for the garden hose, in which case there are relatively inexpensive solutions such as a pressure washer or butt and sump pump.

Problem is if you aint got mains pressure a pressure washer is going to be scavenging as there is insufficient water to maintain the flow.

Mate has a house in Portmarnock and they have lousy mains pressure. CoCo said there was nothing they could do about it.
When he's power hosing the car or bike he connects the hot water supply to the pressure washer. Good idea to make sure the missus isn't in the shower at the same time though.

We put a water butt on his garage roof last year for the garden water.

Hermy

Great response to my thread - thanks very much to all.:)

The hose is my main concern.
I have a seven seater taxi that needs regular washing so good water pressure would make that job a lot less time consuming.
I was hoping someone might suggest a simple solution involving some sort of booster pump but ye seem to be against that.
I'm not a plumber so if ye have any more suggestions or advice to add I'd be most grateful.

Joey the lips

Hermy wrote: »

Great response to my thread - thanks very much to all.:)

The hose is my main concern.
I have a seven seater taxi that needs regular washing so good water pressure would make that job a lot less time consuming.
I was hoping someone might suggest a simple solution involving some sort of booster pump but ye seem to be against that.
I'm not a plumber so if ye have any more suggestions or advice to add I'd be most grateful.

Outside a fire engine..... No there is not much choice.... You can buy a stronger sump or booster pump and connect it to a barrel but be careful as you will then need to replace various parts of your taxi that you rip off with the water hose.

user1842

Is the council not legally obliged to provide a minimum water pressure?

(not sure though)

Hermy

Joey the lips wrote: »

Outside a fire engine..... No there is not much choice.... You can buy a stronger sump or booster pump and connect it to a barrel but be careful as you will then need to replace various parts of your taxi that you rip off with the water hose.

I'm definitely not looking for that sort of pressure!:eek:

I suppose I'm just curious more than anything at this stage. I'm not looking to spend big money - just wondered if there was a DIY solution. Seems like I'll just have to put up with the low pressure for now or get a power washer which is also a bit more than I need.

Hermy

urbanachiever1 wrote: »

After the winter freeze the stop-cock under the pavement in front of our house was replaced by the council. The pressure is much higher since. My point being that the pressure up to the stop-cock was high and was reduced by an old stop-cock. Check with neighbours to see if they have higher pressure than yourself and if so stop-cock replacement could work. Though you'll be waiting for the council to tackle it.

Thank you sir.
Checked the stop cock and it wasn't turned all the way.
Now the water pressure is great.

Buford T Justice

Who turned the valve down though.

Hermy

Footpaths in the estate were redone in the recent past so I'm guessing a new stop cock was installed then and just never turned fully on.