Research by Salamander Pumps shows 40 per cent of homeowners experience low water pressure daily. This can occur following remodelling works. Mike Oxley, technical training manager for Salamander Pumps, explores why and what solutions can help builders navigate the challenge.
What impacts water flow?
Water flow is the volume of water that comes from an outlet over a specific period of time while pressure is the force pushing it through the pipes. Many homes will experience low water flow, resulting in slow running taps and showers. Similarly, appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, may not deliver the required results.
Demand is a significant factor behind why households experience low water pressure and flow. This can be internal demand, such as multiple outlets running simultaneously thereby exceeding the mains capacity. Externally, mains water demands throughout an entire street or neighbourhood, especially during peak periods in the morning or early evening can create challenges.
It is also common for households to experience low water pressure and flow following remodelling works, which is an important area for professional builders to understand to avoid uncomfortable customer conversations.
Why post remodelling challenges occur
Regulations exist which influence water pressure and flow. For example, UK Building Regulations (Part G) advises balanced pipe sizing to ensure efficient water delivery without pressure loss or excessive stagnation to reduce bacterial growth. However, post-renovation challenges do occur. These can relate to increasing household water demand if the number of outlets increases, whether that is a kitchen upgrade, bathroom remodelling or an en-suite installation.
Material factors around remodelling works such as pipe material, size, the number of fittings, valves and turns can further contribute to low water flow being experienced. Lengthy pipe runs creates friction and decreases water pressure and flow rates, whereas oversized pipework can slow water movement and increase the risk of stagnation.
Undersized pipes can create excessive pressure drops and adding turns to the pipework system can potentially increase friction. Even modern tap fittings can pose challenges, especially if they are designed only for high pressure systems or are restrictive by their nature, which today is a common feature.
There can be additional complexities with loft conversions too when they include a new en-suite. Installing outlets higher in the home usually means more water pressure is needed to reach the top floor, and pressure will drop with each floor.
Getting proactive with water measurements
Before kicking off renovation works, it is important to map water demands. Water demand requirements can be calculated using the method in BS EN 806-3. This allocates loading units based on flow rates at draw off points, length of time appliances are in use and frequency of use.
When looking at the fixtures and fittings which will make up the renovation works, it is important for builders to always check manufacturer specifications for minimum flow and pressure requirements.
These pre-installation checks are vital, and can be accessed through tools such as digital water multimeters including AquaScan. Without adequate flow and pressure rates, even the highest quality appliances may underperform, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potential system failures.
Exploring retrofit solutions
Having mapped water demands and how they align with renovation projects, there’s a portfolio of water booting solutions to ensure that low pressure and flow does not create issues.
With individual problematic outlets, single outlet inline water boosting pumps such as TapBoost are recommended. Solutions like this are easy to install, effective, non-intrusive and cost-efficient and can overcome the water flow challenges posed by renovation works.
These pumps, which can be retrofitted, boost single outlets in both bathroom and kitchen remodelling projects, including a which may be suffering with a poor flow due to any work undertaken. TapBoost improves water flow in single outlets to between 7-11 L/min depending on the pump’s incoming flow rate. For example, with incoming flows of 1 L/min, TapBoost provides a 600 per cent boost while an 8 L/min flow will experience a boost of 25 per cent.
As versatility is a significant asset to builders for renovation works, single outlet inline pumps are available for a range of applications such kitchen tap, bath tap, toilet cistern, dishwasher or washing machine.
Other solutions include a traditional shower pump to boost water performance in gravity fed systems. Negative head (universal) models for boosting water to a point above the cold water storage, for example in a loft conversion are recommended in this instance.
For mains-fed larger properties with high water consumption and are reliant on supplier pressures, there is a high risk of challenges, especially on upper floors. In this situation, storage tank booster solutions are available such as TankBoost. This combines stored water with an integrated pump, boosting multiple outlets across multiple floors up to 3 bar and 80L/min.
Low water pressure and flow is a constant challenge facing households, particularly after remodelling works. However, by acknowledging risks and navigating water-boosting products correctly, there is no reason why builders should be leaving their customers dissatisfied.
For further information on any of the products mentioned in this feature us the appropriate link below.
AquaScan: AquaScan Digital Water Multimeter | Salamander Pumps.
TapBoost: TapBoost Single Outlet Booster Pump | Salamander Pumps.
TankBoost: TankBoost Water Booster Systems | Salamander Pumps.
