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Posted by Pete C. on September 10, 2007, 9:20 am
Harry K wrote:
>
> >
> > > It's been yearss since I lived in a house that has a well and water tank
> > > (tanl is in small utility area under front entrance) and I'm now reminded
> > > again of how little watervolume I get when one of 2 items are turned on.
> > > Even in hy older city houses I replaced all 1/2 inch copper pipe with 3/4
> > > and one inch pipe so that I always had super water flow. So my QUESTION
is
> > > what needs to be done to increase water volume so that the pressure in
showr
> > > doesn't ecrease when ither faucets or toilets are used. The water tank
> > > itself seems quite small (physical problem does not permit me to crawl
under
> > > steps to look at tank). Thanks for help. John
> >
> > Call a competent service outfit and start with a higher capacity well
> > pump. Then upgrade the plumbing as you have before. The laws of
> > physics are still valid, so with the same (usual) pressure more flow
> > requires larger pipes. The well capacity may have subsided over the
> > years, and the well service techs can determine that. Good luck.
> >
> > Joe
>
> The pump really doesn't have much to do with volume unless it is
> grossly undersized or nearly worn out. The pump fills the tank and it
> is the tank that supplies pressure until the pump kicks in. Any pump
> should be able to build pressure in the tank even while water is being
> drawn for normal use.
>
> His problem would appear to be restrictions in pipe, way undersized
> pipe, poor cutin in/out pressure settings for the tank/pump, or the
> like. A good technician will be able to spot the problem as you said.
>
> John: A well/tank system needs regular maintenance if nothing more to
> check that the tank hasn't waterlogged. I have seen some really odd
> installations but 'under the steps' is a new one to me.
>
> Harry K
Performance in a well system is a combination of tradeoffs. Larger tanks
provide more useable draw down between pump operations, but take more
space. Closer on - off pressure set points provide more consistent
pressure at the expense of excessive pump activations. The newer
variable speed pump systems help eliminate some of these issues. As with
any water system, improperly sized (or clogged) pipes and excessive
bends can hurt performance no mater how good things are at the source.
If you can't physically work on the system, your only option is to have
a qualified service company review the system and provide some
recommendations and options. There are likely multiple options that
would provide varying levels of improvement at varying cost. You'll have
to determine the best price / performance point for you. For the right
price you can have performance entirely comparable to a municipal
system, and that cost isn't that high, but most people settle for less
performance to save a few hundred dollars.
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