Any plumbing experts out there?

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mattwnz

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#101737 7-May-2012 23:22

I am getting some new taps for a house which is running off tank water connected to a pump. The problem is I don't know what type of taps to get, as they come in 'Mains' pressure, or 'All Pressure'. I know the All pressure ones will work, but I was told by the tap seller that Mains pressure should also work if the pump is powerful enough. The selection of All pressure taps is limited compared to the mains pressure ones, so would like to get the mains pressure ones if I can.

I do know that the pump produces 60 pounds per square inch of pressure, which converts to about 400kPa. Does anyone know if the mains pressure taps would work with a pump this powerful.

grant_k

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#621349 7-May-2012 23:33

I'm not a "plumbing expert" by any means, but have done a fair bit of work with pumps and gravity-fed water around our farm. I found this info. on a forum, and it sounds about right from my experience:

If you're in Auckland, the vast majority of pressure zones are gravity fed with only small areas having pressure boosting. The closer to sea-level the higher the pressure will typically be - maybe 600 - 1200 kPa. On the top of a hill it might only be 200 - 400 kPa.

With your pump producing 400kPa, you are below the typical "mains pressure" in Auckland. Therefore, any taps you buy that are rated "mains pressure" will cope very easily with the pressure from your pump.

The "All pressure" taps are intended to cope with houses that have thermal-storage hot water cylinders where the hot water pressure is much lower than the cold water pressure.

mattwnz

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#621351 7-May-2012 23:35

grant_k: I'm not a "plumbing expert" by any means, but have done a fair bit of work with pumps and gravity-fed water around our farm.? I found this info. on a forum, and it sounds about right from my experience:

If you're in Auckland, the vast majority of pressure zones are gravity fed with only small areas having pressure boosting. The closer to sea-level the higher the pressure will typically be - maybe 600 - 1200 kPa. On the top of a hill it might only be 200 - 400 kPa.

With your pump producing 400kPa, you are below the typical "mains pressure" in Auckland.? Therefore, any taps you buy that are rated "mains pressure" will cope very easily with the pressure from your pump.

The "All pressure" taps are intended to cope with houses that have thermal-storage hot water cylinders where the hot water pressure is much lower than the cold water pressure.

Thanks. I actually may wait for the plumber to test the pressure before finally purchasing the taps. But I think that I may be safe with main pressure ones.

Bung

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#621361 8-May-2012 00:24

grant_k: I'm not a "plumbing expert" by any means, but have done a fair bit of work with pumps and gravity-fed water around our farm. I found this info. on a forum, and it sounds about right from my experience:

With your pump producing 400kPa, you are below the typical "mains pressure" in Auckland. Therefore, any taps you buy that are rated "mains pressure" will cope very easily with the pressure from your pump.

Another "I'm not a "plumbing expert" by any means". AFAIK it's not a question of coping with the pressure but having sufficient flow at the pressure you have. Mains pressure taps tend to have smaller internal passages than low pressure taps and the flow ends up like an old man with prostate problems.

freitasm

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#621386 8-May-2012 07:17

Moved to correct forum.

MikeSkyrme

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#621395 8-May-2012 07:52

How is your hot water heated?

Are you using a hot water cylinder or a gas boiler?

Michael Skyrme - Instrumentation & Controls

trig42

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#621410 8-May-2012 08:32

I'd say with a decent pump, you should be fine. I am on tank and pump and all our fittings are mains pressure. This includes out hot water cylinder, which is a mains pressure cylinder not a low pressure cylinder.

Not all mains pressure taps are created equal either, as I'm sure your plumber will tell you. The cheaper ones do not have much flow control, ie. either on or off, the more expensive ones (like Methven) tend to cope better if you do not want a full blast every time you turn a tap on.

Nety

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#621492 8-May-2012 10:28

If you are getting a plumber in then I would suggest finding the taps you want and get him to purchase them for you. Even if he puts a markup on them they get massive discounts over what we pay at a shop so it should come out far cheaper then buying them direct.

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