Let's figure out what water pressure should be in the apartment, what determines the pressure standards by law, in which cases the pressure is inevitably set lower and what to do if the water pressure is insufficient.
The standard water pressure in the apartment is regulated in 2019 by SNiP 2.04.2-84. According to this regulation, they are designed centralized systems water supply in apartment buildings.
The minimum value for the first floors, in accordance with SNiP, is considered to be 1 bar. This value corresponds to 10 meters of water column.
Each additional floor increases the inlet pressure value by 0.4 bar. For a five-story building, therefore, the minimum pressure value is approximately 2.6 bar.
To ensure water supply, it is not enough to provide pressure at the beginning of the supply, usually from the first floors. In high-rise buildings, it is necessary to additionally regulate the water pressure.
Without adjustment, excess pressure on the first floors will simply knock out the taps and fittings. Unregulated pressure can damage equipment and damage household appliances.
The water pressure values for consumers, according to SNiP, are as follows:
- Minimum value for hot water 0.3.
- Minimum value for cold water 0.3.
- The maximum value is up to 6 atmospheres for cold and up to 4.5 for hot.
If the pressure drops below the established minimums or when the pressure is supplied above the maximum, residents have the right to file a complaint against management company.
It is worth noting that the minimum values are sufficient for the operation of household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, but are not sufficient for installing a tropical shower system, swimming pools and Jacuzzis, and some advanced models of washing machines.
When purchasing such equipment and placing it in an apartment building, you should worry in advance about the need for additional water-pressure equipment and coordination of its placement.
Water pressure or force is important for the normal operation of plumbing systems. Taps, couplings, and valves are made based on normal pressure and will not function fully without providing the required pressure.
Minimum water pressure values for normal operation of equipment:
Thus, we see discrepancies between the value of the minimum permissible pressure according to the law and the necessary value for the operation of the equipment.
You can only complain if there is not enough pressure even to operate ordinary taps, toilets and showers. In all other cases, problems will have to be resolved independently.
In most cases, water is supplied to city apartments under a pressure of 2-4 atmospheres. Unfortunately, this does not apply to upper floors and poorly designed water systems.
If the pressure equipment is not working correctly and there is insufficient pressure, situations may arise when a neighbor’s tank is drained or a shower is turned on, causing a drop in water pressure among other neighbors.
In this case, complaining to the management company and demanding repairs and replacement of equipment or water pipes is simply necessary.
What can affect low water supply:
- Problems and malfunctions, low power of central pumps, shutdown of pumps to save money.
- Blockages in the water supply risers.
- Distribution equipment problems.
- Incorrect installation of pipes, taps into the water supply system, branches for third-party needs, leaks.
How to determine the water pressure value
To measure the pressure, a pressure gauge is used, which is connected through an adapter.
The simplest “folk” way to determine water pressure is to open the taps to full and turn three liter jar. With proper pressure, the jar should fill in 7 seconds or even faster.
Dealing with low water pressure in the apartment
Low blood pressure is not always the fault of the public water supply. Quite a portion of the blame lies with the users themselves.
Clogged pipes, improperly installed equipment and improper pipe angles, additional fittings and tie-ins can all significantly reduce the water pressure at the outlet.
The first thing you should check is your water filters.. Even if you haven't installed additional filters, they are still there.
These are coarse mesh filters; they are usually installed in front of water meters. Clogging of small cells leads to a decrease in pressure in the apartment.
Check the serviceability of the mixers, remove limescale. Check the condition of the water pipes for limescale.
Please note if problems only occur with hot water, only the filters are to blame. If you have additional heaters and boilers, be sure to check the inlet filters.
In most cases, if you file justified complaints, you can count on recalculation of the cost of services. Perhaps, if there are a large number of complaints from residents, you will be able to achieve repairs.
But what to do if the pressure meets the minimum standards, and set washing machine is it still necessary?
The problem will be solved by installing a small flow pump. The weight of the pump that ensures the operation of one unit of equipment is about 3 kg.
You can set the pump to turn on automatically when the water pressure drops to a certain value. When the pump is turned off, the water is flowing by gravity method. Most models have built-in idle protection.
If there are interruptions in the water supply, it may make sense to think about installing storage tank or a boiler with a volumetric tank and adjustable supply temperature.
Legislation and regulations guarantee minimum pressure standards. In most cases, residents themselves decide what water pressure should be in the apartment and are responsible for the equipment installed inside the apartment.
Please note that installing additional pumping equipment and boilers will increase energy costs.
At the time of buying hydromassage baths Read the instructions carefully and check the possibility of installation and operation at the existing pressure.
Video: How to measure water pressure with your own hands
Weak pressure of cold water is a nuisance familiar to almost all residents of the upper floors apartment buildings. Its reason is simple – low water pressure. This phenomenon provokes a lot of temporary or even permanent inconvenience, so it is not surprising that many apartment owners are asking a fair question: is it possible to increase the cold water pressure? The answer is clear - you can. But you just need to do this wisely. How? To understand, let's consider everything in order: what should the water pressure be according to GOST standards, how to measure its indicators, what are affected by deviations from the norm and what methods exist for increasing the pressure in the apartment.
What are the water pressure standards?
First, let's look at theoretical foundations. Thus, the pressure of the water flow in the network is measured either in bars or in atmospheres - these measuring units are almost identical. It is accepted that 1 bar or 1 atm creates a 10 m column of water.
According to construction standards SNiP 2.04.02-84, the cold water pressure in a multi-storey building should be in the range from 0.3 atm to 6 atm - these are the extreme permitted pressure values at the entrance to the apartment.
In addition, there is a pressure calculation scheme for a specific floor. So, at the common entrance to an apartment building, the water pressure should be 1 atm or 10 m of column, and with each subsequent floor 4 m of column should be added to it. Calculation for a 14-story building: 10+(4x14)=66 m or 6.6 atm. Since in this case the indicator is higher than normal, at the entrance to the apartment the pressure must be reduced to an acceptable level.
Reduced water pressure disrupts operation household appliances
In apartment buildings, the need to lower pressure occurs extremely rarely; more often, the reverse procedure is required, that is, increasing it. What happens if you neglect it? Low cold water pressure is fraught not only with discomfort for household members, but also with more serious and even costly consequences: shutdown of household appliances, breakdown of household equipment, burnout of heating elements of appliances.
What should the pressure be in practice?
The fact that the minimum pressure may be 0.3 atm does not mean that this indicator is sufficient for full use cold water. No household appliance will simply function at such a low pressure, so even if in theory you are absolutely within the norm, in practice things may not be so attractive.
Any standard apartment has a lot of household equipment that works with water: from and ending with a jacuzzi. These devices, depending on the power, put forward their own requirements for the incoming water pressure:
- dishwashing and washing equipment – 2 atm;
- heating boiler - 2.5-3 atm;
- shower with hydromassage – 3.5-4 atm;
- jacuzzi – 4 atm.
Advice. When buying household appliances, choose a model with a small pressure reserve - about 1-1.5 atm - this will allow it to withstand potential water hammer without problems.
Practice shows that the optimal cold water pressure for an apartment is 4-5 atm.
How to find out the pressure?
To understand how much the cold water pressure in your apartment deviates from the norm, you need to accurately determine its value. To do this you will need a special water pressure gauge. If it is already installed at the entrance of the water pipe to the apartment, consider yourself lucky - all you have to do is monitor the pressure readings throughout the day and, based on them, derive the average value. Take data four times a day: early morning, afternoon, evening and night. Then add up the numbers and divide by four.
Water pressure gauge
And if the basic pressure gauge is not initially installed, you will have to make the measuring structure yourself. To do this you will need:
- pressure gauge;
- adapter - 0.5 inches;
- thread extension;
- fum tape.
The operating procedure is simple:
- Screw a thread extension onto the outlet of the pressure gauge and cover it with fum tape.
- Take the shower hose and unscrew its head.
- Turn the water from the main faucet to the shower to expel any air from the hose.
- Screw the pressure gauge into place of the watering can.
- Open the water supply and measure the pressure.
For measurement accuracy, check homemade device It is also recommended to do this four times a day. Using the measurement results, it will be easier for you to determine how much you need to increase the pressure and what methods can be used for this.
Why is the pressure low?
Before you begin installing auxiliary equipment to increase the pressure of cold water, you should find out why there is low water pressure in your home. There may be several reasons. Some of the most common:
- Contamination of pipes with hard deposits and debris. To fix the problem, you should clean the risers, and in case of large-scale blockages, replace them.
- Contamination of the coarse filter device. To correct the problem, you need to clean or replace the special mesh on the filter.
If neither the pipes nor the filter are clogged, ask your neighbors if they are experiencing similar difficulties with water: if the answers are positive, then there are problems at the general distribution station, and if negative, then specifically in the pipe distribution of your apartment.
Pump installation diagram
And only after you are absolutely sure that the problem of low pressure is of an exclusively local nature, that is, it concerns your home specifically, and is not associated with any contamination of the pipeline, can you proceed to active actions to increase the pressure of the cold water supply.
How to increase pressure?
There are two ways to increase cold water pressure:
- Circulation pump - will increase the pressure by 1-1.5 atm.
- Pumping station - makes it possible to increase the pressure of cold water by more than 1.5 atm.
In most cases, the problem of low water pressure can be corrected using the first option - a circulation pump. This device does not take up much space, makes almost no noise and consumes energy sparingly. The pump is installed at the entrance of the pipeline to the apartment. The unit can be of two types:
- Automated - equipped with a flow sensor that responds to the movement of water: when the mixer opens, the pump turns on, and when the mixer closes, the device also turns off automatically.
- Manual - does not have a flow sensor, so you can only turn it on and off manually.
Advice. When installing a pump, the most important thing is not to confuse the direction of water flow. To install the device correctly, place it exactly in the position indicated in the instructions.
If you find yourself in that extremely rare situation when circulation pump cannot provide optimal water pressure, there is only one option left - pumping station. This is quite a large piece of equipment, so be prepared to say goodbye to some usable space in your home. The station will cost more than a regular pump, but you will get the most powerful automatic equipment. Installation of the unit includes three main stages:
- connecting the pump to the water intake point and to the water supply point;
- installation of storage tank;
- connection of the hydraulic accumulator.
As you can see, even such a serious problem as low water pressure in an apartment can be dealt with on your own. Before you are all the stages of solving the problem - from measuring pressure to installing auxiliary equipment, so all that remains is to correctly carry out all the work, and then you can enjoy the benefits of civilization without restrictions.
Increasing water pressure in the apartment: video
Water pressure in the apartment: photo
In the process of arranging water supply, one of the most important issues is the calculation of water pressure in the water supply system. Often, it is precisely because of its shortage that certain difficulties arise in the functioning of household appliances.
In order to avoid troubles, you will need to carefully study the pressure standards in the water supply system. apartment building, and also become familiar with methods for increasing pressure in pipes.
There are no strict standards regarding what pressure should be in the water supply system. The GOST standard predetermines that the acceptable value of this indicator should vary within 4 atmospheres.
At the same time, the standards are adjusted depending on certain conditions (region, number of floors of residential premises, etc.). The range of permissible values is from 2 to 7 atmospheres, as well as up to 10 during the pressure testing period.
Measuring units, as well as instruments for measuring them, must be given Special attention. Modern technology is very sensitive to what pressure will be in the water supply system. If it deviates from the norm, the household unit may not turn on or may fail.
- Bar or atmosphere: 1 bar = 1.0197 atm. This pressure measurement indicator is most often used in everyday life;
- Experts calculate this figure in meters of water column: 1 bar = 10.19 m. Art.
Accurate indicators in accordance with regulatory documentation
SNiP specifies the most acceptable indicator of water pressure in a residential area: more than 6 atmospheres.
That is, if a person lives on the 22nd floor, in this case the water pressure at the moment of entering the apartment will be about 9.4 atm. However, when the water supply directly enters the apartment, this indicator should drop to 6 atm.
Besides, regulatory documentation water standards are specified for each individual type of plumbing:
- For sinks and toilets – 0.2 atm.;
- For bath and shower – 0.30 atm.
Important! Maximum hot water supply in work area household plumbing should be no more than 4.5 atm.
What pressure indicator will ensure adequate water consumption?
Water pressure with an indicator of 2 atm. will be enough to:
- Wash or shower;
- To wash the dishes;
- Ensure stable operation of household appliances;
- For other needs.
The pressure in the system is 4 atm. necessary for:
- Use of a massage shower or jacuzzi;
- Watering the soil in a country house.
Note that in private houses the pressure must be such as to ensure the simultaneous use of water by several channels. In each channel, the minimum pressure value must correspond to 1.5 atm.
Important! Please note that the increase in pressure in the water supply system is up to 6 atm. can lead to rapid wear or breakdown of plumbing equipment. Therefore, when purchasing plumbing equipment to connect it to the city water supply system, it is recommended to choose devices that have a safety margin to withstand all kinds of surges in water pressure in the system.
How to increase pressure
There really is effective methods increasing the pressure level in the water supply system:
- Direct installation of the pump in general scheme. The pump is designed to force a high level of water circulation. If a heating boiler is installed in the house, then pumps can be installed in the cold water supply system. This equipment can operate not only manually, but also automatically. Automatic installation has the ability to control the process of turning the equipment on and off. The use of such pumps can raise the pressure level to a minimum level of 1.5 atm. units;
- Pumping stations. The use of this type of equipment is permissible in cases where there is a need to further increase the pressure level. As a rule, pumping units include special reservoirs that accumulate considerable volumes of water. When water is not being used, the installation pumps water into storage tanks. Such pumping stations operate in automatic mode.
- Using a pump with a tank. This method is that the installation of capacity in the system is carried out on the high point. This creates additional pressure.
Description of characteristics of pumping units
Pumps are divided based on the mode in which they operate:
- Manual operating mode. Ensures the operation of equipment in continuous mode. This installation must be periodically monitored and turned off in time, since in the future this will prevent overheating and equipment breakdown.
- Auto mode. To increase the water supply level, this type of pump is controlled by a special sensor. Immediately at the moment the water is turned on, the installation begins to function. Of course, the automatic mode is better than the manual one, since in the first case the equipment is reliably protected from operation when there is no water.
In addition to all this, settings are grouped as:
- Universal, which are used for hot and cold water supply;
- Specialized, which are used only for cold or hot water.
Pumping units are characterized by the following features:
- The compactness of their dimensions - they can be installed in rooms with a small area;
- Relatively low market prices.
Important! It is worth noting that this type equipment increases water pressure by no more than 30% of general level. As a rule, installing pumps is very profitable provided that the current water flow pressure is about 1.5 bar.
Features of the functioning of pumping stations
The self-priming pumping unit consists of:
- Centrifugal unit providing increased pressure;
- Hydraulic accumulator (1-3 m 3);
- A special relay that provides system control.
If the pressure in the water supply of the house is normal, then the installation will not be activated - the relay will automatically activate it when the pressure changes below acceptable standard. The tank is filled at night, since at this time the water pressure in the water supply system of the house is much higher.
Such an installation requires more complex Maintenance rather than a pump that is mounted directly into the water supply:
- Necessity more areas for equipment installation;
- The need for constant cleaning of the tank, since it is not recommended to allow the water to stagnate for more than 2 days.
Detailed calculations of the productivity of such installations must be obtained from the company that directly provides installation of the equipment. The modernization of the system according to the developed project is carried out by housing office employees or directly by the owner of the property, provided that he has the appropriate skills and experience.
Insufficient or excessively high water pressure in the tap is one of the violations of the provision of public water supply services. Every citizen of the Russian Federation must be familiar with the regulatory indicators guaranteed at the legislative level. This will help the user protect their rights and interests. After all, if there is inappropriate pressure, you can complain to the management company and even demand a recalculation of the payment for the service.
Standard in accordance with SNiP
Water pressure standards in the tap are regulated. The exact standards are:
- for hot water supply – 0.3–4.5 atm. units;
- for cold water supply – 0.3–6 atm. units
The document states that the minimum water pressure for the first floor in a multi-storey building is 1 atm. units (approximately 1 bar). At this pressure a water column of 10 m is created.
For apartment buildings
In such a facility, the standard water pressure in the tap increases by 0.4 atm. units (4 m) for each additional floor. The calculation formula, for example, for a house of 6 floors looks like this:
10 + (4 x 6) = 34 m = 3.4 bar
In particular:
10 (m) – the lowest permissible water pressure supplied to the first floor of an apartment building (0.1 atm. units);
4 (m) – the value of the height of one floor, conventionally accepted;
6 is a number indicating the total number of floors in the house.
The calculation formula is approved in accordance with building regulations.
For private houses
Water pressure is determined taking into account the number of floors of a private house. The height of such objects does not exceed 10 m; accordingly, the minimum standard for pressure is 1 atm. units If the height of the building is more than 10 m, then the minimum pressure standard also increases, amounting to 2 atm. units
What indicators are needed for the normal functioning of equipment?
In order for sanitary appliances to function normally, it is necessary that the water pressure level correspond to certain indicators. The minimum values are given in the table.
To organize an irrigation system personal plot in a private house, a water pressure of 3.5 atm will be required. units
What pressure in the water supply is required for normal consumption?
Full use of water, in which it is possible to run all sanitary appliances in the apartment, implies the presence of a pressure of at least 2 atm. units The optimal level is 4 atm. units
What are the dangers of excessive pressure?
If the water pressure in the system is too high, then sanitary Appliances may fail and pipes may burst. For example, home sanitary appliances function smoothly at a pressure of no more than 4.5 atm. units If the pressure increases excessively, they will break. To reduce the pressure to standard levels, you need to install a reducer.
Specifics of autonomous water supply system
Residents of private houses that use autonomous water supply systems have to face the following types of problems:
- Raise water from a mine well or artesian well.
- Provide pressure from taps both inside the house and within the local area.
- Control the volume of water consumption.
Comfortable use of water supply can be ensured with a pressure of 3-4 atm. units If durable equipment is installed and the water source is different high level productivity, then you can increase the pressure to 6 atm. units To regulate it, a pump is used, thanks to which water is supplied to the water supply of the house. A pressure gauge is installed on the pump, which shows the desired value.
When choosing equipment for water supply, it is necessary to take into account its performance indicators, as well as the planned water consumption for summer period(i.e. during the “peak” season).
How to measure yourself?
To measure the pressure in the water supply, you will need to use a household pressure gauge connected to the water source in the apartment. You can connect the device using an adapter to a shower head. The pressure will be displayed on the device display. The data obtained should be compared with the standards specified in SNiP.
If there is no pressure gauge in the apartment, you can use another method - water flow for a second. Thus, it is believed that sufficient water pressure in a household tap is such that a 3-liter container is filled in 7 seconds or even less.
How to find the “culprit”?
If the water pressure in the tap is insufficient, it is necessary to find out exactly why the deviation from the norm occurred. You need to do the following:
- Conduct diagnostics on faucets and filters to find out if they are broken or clogged. If the answer is yes, then repair, replacement or cleaning needs to be done.
- If everything is normal with the above components, then you should inspect water pipes, after all common problem- this is the appearance of limescale in them. To check them, just tap them using a hammer, or try to clean them using a special cable. If clogging occurs, you will have to carry out a comprehensive cleaning or replace individual segments of the pipeline.
- If the living room is installed to heat water geyser, often the cause of low pressure is a clogged equipment filter. In this case, the part will need to be replaced.
If none of the above reasons have been identified, then low pressure may be a consequence of one of the following circumstances:
- the pipes were not connected to each other correctly;
- there were breakdowns in the risers, water intake and control installations located in the basement of an apartment building at the entrance from the main water supply;
- there is a low pressure level at the pumping station itself.
In such a situation, the user does not have the opportunity to fix the problem, which means he needs to contact the management company employees.
To confirm the presence of a problem, you can talk to the residents of neighboring apartments and find out if they have encountered a similar situation.
Who should I contact with a problem?
If, as a result of the inspection, it was determined that the water pressure is too low due to problems that the user cannot fix himself and that are beyond his control, then he has the right to file a complaint () with the management company. The document must contain the following information:
- The name of the organization to which the complaint is sent, its details or the name of a specific official.
- The applicant’s personal information is his full name, home address, and contact phone number.
- The content of the claim related to poor quality of service, the argumentation and its documentary evidence.
- The requirement to eliminate the existing violation, as well as to recalculate the amount paid for water supply.
- Date of filing the complaint and personal signature of the applicant.
The management company, having received the document, is obliged to review it within 30 working days and send a response to the applicant. If she refuses to comply with the requirements, then each user of the service has the right to contact employees of the city administration department on housing and communal services or Rospotrebnadzor, providing a copy of the complaint that was sent to the management company.
The water supply system is engineering communications, the presence of which provides us with a comfortable existence if the main standard parameter is met - the water pressure in the water supply in the apartment. The pressure in the network affects the service life of the entire system and household appliances connected to this network.
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Standard indicators of pressure in the water supply system
The apartment parameters will comply with GOST 356-80 only if the network hydraulics are brought to the standard. Such indicators are calculated when installing a cold water supply system according to SNiP 2.04.02-84. The main factors in this regard are the following data:
- Number of floors and height of the building.
- Number of people living.
- List and quantity of water fittings.
The minimum pressure is taken to be one bar or 1.0197 atm. With this indicator, the water moves by gravity, and the consumer does not have the opportunity, even if he is on the second floor. multi-storey building, simultaneously use several water intake taps.
The maximum permissible pressure value in the city network can reach 15 atmospheres according to GOST 356-80. But with this indicator, massive network accidents are guaranteed. Modern shut-off valves are not able to withstand such loads. Therefore, in reality, the pressure in the water supply network is limited to 6-7 atmospheres.
Thus, with a minimum hydraulic value, the consumer will not be able to fully use water, and with a maximum, accidents and breakdowns of plumbing fixtures are guaranteed.
Optimal pressure indicators
Developed to get out of the situation optimal performance network parameters. The basis for calculating optimal hydraulics is the rate of fluid consumption per person. According to SNiP, each resident uses approximately 4.5 m 3 of water per month.
Having carried out calculations that take into account throughput internal pipes, the optimal value for a five-story apartment building was determined to be 2.5 - 4.0 atmospheres.
When designing residential buildings In case of higher number of storeys, a house pumping station is simultaneously calculated, the task of which is to bring water to people from the upper floors. To do this, a pressure pump with the necessary piping and automation is installed.
But at the same time, the pipes must have a safety margin to withstand hydraulic shocks, which can occur during an unplanned pressure surge of up to 6-10 atmospheres. This must be taken into account when choosing pipes for installing the internal system.
Household appliances are designed specifically for this indicator. For full-fledged work automatic washing and dishwasher 2 atmospheres are enough, and for a shower cabin with a massage function – 4 atmospheres. In case of installation autonomous heating for the boiler, the optimal pressure is 1.5 - 2.5 atmospheres.
How to correctly calculate the physical parameters for an apartment building
According to the reference book SNiP 2.04.01-85, the minimum pressure at the inlet of the first floor is 1 bar, which allows you to create a column of cold water of 10 meters. Then for each floor it should be increased by the height of this floor, that is, by an average of 4 meters, which is equal to 0.4 bar. And so the calculation is used for each floor.
By calculation it is clear that with a number of floors above the 5th floor, the city network pressure will be insufficient. And in this case it is necessary auxiliary equipment to normalize the indicator. Pump installed in individually for an apartment, will not give results. It will be able to increase the pressure to a maximum of 1.5 atmospheres, which is still not enough for comfortable living.
It is also important to know that Decree No. 354 of the Government of the Russian Federation fixed these indicators at the point of dismantling an apartment at the level of 0.3-4.5 atmospheres for hot water supply and 0.3 - 6.0 for a cold network.
Ways to change water pressure
If the network pressure still exceeds the optimal value and plumbing equipment and household appliances suffer from this, a compensator is installed, adjusted to discharge the excess volume of liquid into the sewer. Such cases are very rare. Compensators are used - valves on street water supply systems in the event of mass complaints from the population of a certain group of houses about exceeding the standard in the network.
Cases of insufficient pressure are more common. And adjusting the indicator to optimal value the immediate task of public utilities.