Water pressure question

[joe0813]

Just moved into our new house we had built. I noticed that we dont really have the strongest of water pressures so I bought a cheapo gauge from Home Depot. Went outside at a facet and only reading 35psi. Hooked up the RODI unit so I could start making some new water, water only dripping out and gauge on the RO only reading 4psi if that. Looked up some booster pumps on BRS and they all say they need a min of 20psi of pressure or the pump could get damaged.
Is that 20psi pressure they need from the RO unit or from before the RO?

 

[theMeat]

20 psi from faucet/supply into pump, then from pump it goes to rodi unit.
Are you on municipal water or well?

 

[joe0813]

20 psi from faucet/supply into pump, then from pump it goes to rodi unit.
Are you on municipal water or well?

Municipal, I even had the city come out and measure it because we noticed it was low.

 

[Mike konesky]

The Aquatec 8800 doesn't need 20psi like they claim. 1 pump can push a pair of 75gpd membranes in series to 90psi with 0psi going into the booster. Pick one up and start making water.

 

[theMeat]

What did person from city say? Small diameter water main to house? Did they mention pressure regulator valve at meter?

 

[joe0813]

What did person from city say? Small diameter water main to house? Did they mention pressure regulator valve at meter?

Apparently the builder installed a 1inch copper pipe from the main to our house. which we thought was small but apparently thats code. But I'm not a plumber so I have no clue.

 

[theMeat]

Apparently the builder installed a 1inch copper pipe from the main to our house. which we thought was small but apparently thats code. But I'm not a plumber so I have no clue.

One inch is plenty for a single family. Many houses have 3/4 and water pressure is fine. If you want, take a pic of the water main coming into house, and the water meter. Maybe I can help you figure out if you have a pressure regulator valve.

 

[joe0813]

Can't remember how the heck to post pictures from my phone

 

[joe0813]

 

[theMeat]

See no regulator valve but do see where the meter is connected, before and after, the pipe size is reduced way down.
If the city or a local plumber could remedy that…
if not, personally, would look to spend a couple hundred on a whole house booster. Would test water, if you need a whole house water filter or something you’re gonna have problems with 35 psi, and if you run a cartridge filter it will cut down further on pressure

 

[joe0813]

 

[joe0813]

I don't know if it can without a different meter.

 

[theMeat]

I don't know if it can without a different meter.

Agreed

 

[joe0813]

I can call the city and see if they have a bigger one

 

[theMeat]

I can call the city and see if they have a bigger one

They do have bigger meters. Whether they will accommodate you is another question.
I know the smallest meter is 5/8, and it looks like that’s what you have. Hard to tell from pic… I also know that plumbing fittings, as far as for water, do not come in 5/8. To connect a 5/8 water meter you need a 5/8 water meter tail piece, which would typically be 5/8 on one side, and 3/4 or one inch on the other. It looks like you have 5/8 to 1/2, which is weak sauce.
Again, hard to tell from pic, but if your main is 1” , that brass elbow on top of main before meter looks like 1” to 1/2”.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Did the Plumber leave the Dust Plugs in the meter? I’ve seen that happen, plug gets shoved into the meter, and restricts the water flow. If you open several valves, does the water pressure drop way down?

 

[joe0813]

the meter is definitely 5/8ths, I need to have the city come back and see if they can help me out. the brass elbow looks to also be a 1 inch

 

[joe0813]

Did the Plumber leave the Dust Plugs in the meter? I’ve seen that happen, plug gets shoved into the meter, and restricts the water flow. If you open several valves, does the water pressure drop way down?

dust valves are out

 

[joe0813]

Called the city this morning, they said that we are lucky we are even at 35psi on this street. I forget his exact reasoning but it was something to do with piping. He recommended an aqua booster if we wanted higher pressure for the house.

 

[theMeat]

That would do it. Would call a plumber and point out that 1” to 1/2” reducing elbow before you go ahead with the booster.