How to deal with fluctuating water pressure

Posted On Posted on 11th March, 2019 by Dura Pump

Inconsistent water pressure is a common problem, not only in domestic and commercial properties but also in the manufacturing industry, where a steady supply of fresh water is often crucial to production. Whether you’re experiencing fluctuations or you have no water pressure at all – we know how much of a drain pressure can have on the day-to-day runnings of your operation.

So how do you solve the problem? The first step is to identify the root cause…

 

 

WHAT COULD BE CAUSING A LACK OF WATER PRESSURE?

If there is no water pressure, your pump system and booster set could be experiencing one or more of the following issues:

  • The unit is not cutting in. If this is the case then the pump will not be functioning at all.
  • Pumps are air locked. The break tank may have been dry, causing the pumps to suck in air and stop, or it could be cavitation.
  • A non-return valve failure. This will result in water circulating in the pump rather than flowing off to the system, which is quite common.
  • Incorrect pressure settings.
  • Failed pressure reducing valve. This can be caused by wear and tear or the filter being locked up.
  • Pumps running backwards. Sometimes after electric work has been carried out two phases may have been switched over, and this will cause the pump to run backwards.

 

WHAT COULD BE CAUSING INCONSISTENT WATER PRESSURE?

If you’re getting fluctuations in water pressure, the most common causes are:

  • Hydraulic accumulator failure
  • Pressure-reducing valve failure
  • Non-return valve failure
  • Loose wiring and faulty sensors

 

 

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

The best way to establish what is causing your inconsistent water pressure is to have a full service, which will diagnose the system error accurately. Non-return valves, accumulators, pressure switches and sensors can all be susceptible to natural wear and tear as they age, so it may be that your system is no longer able to keep up with demand.

Our first step would be to check to make sure the pumps are running the right way and are correctly ventilated, and then run a full service check to discover and rectify the issue. The solution may involve replacing parts of your system or servicing; at Dura Pump, we will recommend whichever option is going to give you a reliable system long into the future.

 

CONTROLLING WATER PRESSURE WITH BOOSTER SETS

It may be that your booster set needs replacing or that you need one installed if you don’t already! A water pressure booster pump, or booster set, is specifically designed to achieve a constant reliable water pressure. We can specify, supply and install your booster set for you – so you can wave goodbye to fluctuations.

If you have a booster set but you are still experiencing issues with water pressure, it may be down to one of the common booster set faults mentioned earlier in the article. If this is the case, then we will assess the issue and either offer servicing or specify a new booster set that’s better suited to your application.

It may be that your booster set is no longer able to keep up with your daily requirements, in which case it’s probably time for an upgrade.

Our team were called out by a pet food manufacturer who was expanding their production line and subsequently needed a supply of fresh cold water in their new factory. Their existing booster set was already struggling with the current load, and they were noticing it peaking and underperforming during day-to-day use. We fitted their existing 3-pump set up with a flow meter to analyse the company’s usage over a week and found that the system was undersized for what they were doing. We proposed upgrading to a quad booster set, which meant they could get on with their expansion without any production pauses!

 

 

MAINTAINING YOUR PUMP SYSTEM

Regular servicing and maintenance of your pump system and booster set is the key to ensuring there are no issues with water pressure. Proactive maintenance is the best way to avoid future problems, luckily with our Proserv service, you can benefit from 24/7 rapid response and technical support whenever you need it. If you notice some changes in your water pressure then you can simply give our team a call and we can fix the problem before it has the chance to impact your productivity or the experience of your users.

 

GET IN TOUCH

If you’re experiencing fluctuations in water pressure, we can help get to the root cause and provide a solution! It’s really as simple as that. Get in touch with our team today on 01604 648 800 or email mail@durapump.co.uk

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