How to Install a Water Pressure Booster | This Old House
Learn how to pump up the water pressure in your home with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse
Richard helped a pair of homeowners with low water pressure. After determining that there was nothing wrong with the city water main coming into the house from the street, Richard recommended installing an electric water pressure booster, which consists of a pump and storage tank. Richard started by shutting off the main valve and draining all the water out of the supply pipes. Next, he ran new copper pipe from the water main to the pressure booster. Then, he ran pipe from the booster to the main line that feeds all the water fixtures in the house. When all the plumbing work was done, electrician Brian Bergeron connected the pressure booster to the main electrical panel using armored “metal clad” cable. The booster system required its own circuit, so Brian also installed a new circuit breaker inside the panel.
Shopping List for How to Install a Water Pressure Booster:
pressure-booster system [https://amzn.to/2O0KkwW], used to raise the pressure of incoming water
copper pipe [https://amzn.to/307Decq] and assorted fittings [https://amzn.to/2NUBhhm], for connecting new pressure-booster system to existing water-supply line
emery cloth [https://amzn.to/32ySFfp] and flux [https://amzn.to/2O4Lfgf], for cleaning and prepping copper pipe and fittings prior to soldering
solder [https://amzn.to/34yjx10], for connecting copper fittings
two pressure gauges [https://amzn.to/2NXV4fF], for reading the incoming and outgoing water pressure after the installation of the pressure booster
check valve [https://amzn.to/32vpPwo], used to prevent water from draining away from the pressure booster
Tools for How to Install a Water Pressure Booster:
pliers [https://amzn.to/2N9XzMm]
tubing cutter [https://amzn.to/2HYZrU0]
propane torch [https://amzn.to/2I0njGJ]
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House INSIDER to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet:
https://bit.ly/34RYEP5
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
http://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
http://bit.ly/AskTOHIG
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseWebsite
How to Install a Water Pressure Booster | This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/
About The Author
You Might Be Interested In
Comment (0)
LEAVE YOUR COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Simplified. I'm surprised Richard did not sweat in unions for servicing.
When there is a litte cut in the copper wire it is a bad connection that will break in time caused bij vibrations of the pump! ( a litte nive mark is enough!)
Is copper pipe better than PVC/CPVC?
Don't put flux inside the fittings, always put it on the pipe instead of inside the fitting.
No disconnect switch for the pump
Just remove the water flow restricter in the shower head. All of them have it now.
Will this damage my pipes? Built on 1910
Hi there…. got a Question….what happens if there is a power cut…will you still get water in a normal pressure or will it stop completely???
Awesome video
Shaking my head
Why wasn't the booster installed in parallel with the supply line? If the unit has to be serviced the house looses all water while the work is being done.
we'll put the green wire on the green screw. WOW didn't see that coming
The only number we don't know, Gary's height??
Yeah, like usa is not as advanced like uk and didn't know about the salemander water booster pump, that is the size of a normal recirculation pump, is practicly soundless, uses only a fraction of the power, compared to a probably 750 to 1000 watt motor on that centrifugal pump. Salemander pump boosts the pressure the same way as this beast here but it is small, silent, uses only 100 watts or so and is overall a better performance item.
If the bladder in the pressure tank blows. Will the pump still run
defiantly an old house when the ground and neutral are not separate in the breaker box. GFI'a will never work in this house.
This “electrician” was a hack, and worked dangerously.
He used lineman’s pliers to strip 14 AWG wire, tightened a grounding screw onto the insulation, damaged the wire that he pulled through the breaker box, and fumbled around doing everything.
So glad they got Scott to do the electrical stuff now.
Is this a well that has a submersible pump
American electricians are terrible
can this be used with gas combi boiler
Does this work for well systems ?
good job
Lol @3:28 tries to tighten a Phillip's head screw with a standard screwdriver
Thanks for an informative video.
My system needs no tank (although I have the small one for the water heater) and boosts the 30# at basement level up to a true 65# in the second story. It has a pre-wired plug in cord for ground fault outlet and if it dies, the water flows right on through. The anti-back flow valve is built into it too. This one is about 5 years old and I had another that was similar that lasted 10 years until junk from a city waterline break damaged it.
How it works for hot and cold water connected to the boiler?
Can this be hooked up to the boiler and a indirect water tank ?? And what brand pressure booster is that I dont see any info on it
Why don't just install a pump?
Richard is one of only a few plumbers who measure first and cut later!
He should not be striping the wires with a pliers
That's a 1500 dollar tank . . . True story look on Amazon
I have this tank….the first paragraph of the owners manual – "Always be sure to equip your well system with a proper Pressure
Relief Valve. This should be capable of discharging the full output of
the pump at or below the maximum working pressure of the lowest
rated component in the system. See the owner’s manual for your
pump for output information. This is vital for safe operation of the well
system. "
Here is a link to it if you want to see for yourself. https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/42/42268062-a472-4d8a-a7fb-f8c2bd99183f.pdf
If you're adding both a Water Softener and a UV Water Purifier, where in that chain does this go?
a pro electrician without a wire stripper
Coper pipe turners green
great video, question, I have my own well, would this work for low pressure in my home?
Is there a way to set the pump to start up just when needed?
4:27 I can see someone’s toesies! Lol
Had no idea they made a flexible conduit cutter.
All these years and never seen these guys make a mistake (FUBB). Would do my soul good to see they're just human too.
Should have put a bypass
I would like to put one of these in our house. Pressure tank is almost 200 feet from the house feeding 2 homes
awesome electrician showing putting 2 wires under one screw on neutral bus bar. plus incorrect installl as rg matta pointed out just check the install sheet https://www.amtrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/9040B140_07_14_Pressuriser_IO.pdf
Recommend you strap the pressure tank to the wall. You can use a water heater strap .This way it secures the Tank/Pump and eliminates excessive movement when the Pump switches on an off. At the same time reducing the risk of the copper piping working it's was loose and causing a major break.
Does soomebody know the name of the tool the electrician used at 3:44? May be a link to get it?
No shut off before and after for future maintenance??? Or no by pass so they at least have water if the machine breaks?
No bypass for future servicing ?
legend has it, the pump is still pumping on its way to 60psi
As an electrician I wouldn't advise following this electrical portion 100%. The connection should be rated for wet locations. Use at the minimum a non metallic water tight flex to encase the electrical cable and a suitable flex connector. I wouldn't use mc either in a residential application. That generally is a commercial grade cable and more expensive….
If only…….we in the UK have to feed the pump from a gravity tank or a maximum of 12 litres per minute flow from the pump if connected directly.
PRICE??
2:02 ALWAYS put ball valves in with gauges, rookie mistake
How can I hire you???? My water pressure is low, I would love for you to come and install one of those in my house
How does this differ from a standard much cheaper shallow well pump?
Exciting guys ! You don't mess around. It's not the first time that your household videos help me validate my engineering design in commercial or industrial applications. Same principles.
Plus, I really like that you showed all the electrical work.
I need some help on water pressure booster for garden irrigation. I am doing a community service to enhance mission 'Green'. I need to learn about water pressure booster. This is very urgent for me. This work is a part of our ministry. My email Id is <gardwats@gmail.com> my phone number is +91 9836172309. We can talk over the whatsapp. I dont afford to pay direct call. Your help would be so much appreciative. Thanks. James
I would love to have seen Pex tubing instead.
Two words. Pro Press. ty
not one video of a clean solder joints
Here come the keyboard carpenters
Richards my favorite character, when interior decorator s come on I turn it off
Every time they make a video it's as if they made the entire thing and then forgot to post the last 60 seconds.
What does that system run ball park
Hello!
Our company manufacture dedicated controllers for Twin Booster and Hydropneumatic applications, you can have a look on below link.
Thank you.
https://youtu.be/7RoK8wMphE8
HELP.. Plumber installed but cannot keep running. Wants to increase pipe size from 3/4 to 1 inch. Pressure is only 22 psi from street. feels insufficient water flow. this is exactly the same pump – Amtrol 1/2 hp that he replaced. Any suggestions? At wits end for answer.
Well, I want make a few comments for all of you who said this is a grate job, and also for the people who did the job
1- You never use a nonmetallic connector with armored cable, in other works, that is a ROMEX CABLE connector being used in MC CABLE
2- When you install a booster pump you are installing a motor which will vibrate when it goes ON, so I do recommend to use a flexible connection to avoid that the vibration from the pump transfer to the pipes of the house.
3- You also need a by-pass connection so if the pump damage you will have the regular pressure of water instead of no water in the house
I am Alex and I am GC from NJ USA. thank you for reading my comments
Soldiering in sandles. Ballzy
An electrician without a wire stripper ?
So much wrong here. No bypass in case pump fails, you should never hard pipe this type of system and the "electrician" used bx which is garbage he should have used Greenfield flexible conduit and fill it with THHN.
We’re can I buy one who makes iy
All fine and good worthless if you don’t give pump manufacturer name
will this work when my sprinkler system kicks on? will it be able to maintain the 50 psi or will the pressure drop due to the pump not being able to catch up?
No ground wires no ground been separated at the electrical panel this homeowner doesn’t realize he’s in for a shocker should lightning strikes the electrical SYSTEM,,,,,PEOPLE CHECK YOUR ELECTRICAL PANEL IN YOUR HOMES IF YOU SEE THE WHITE WIRE WHICH IS THE NEGATIVE MIX WITH GROUND WIRES THAT IS A HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL HAZARD THEY SHOULD BE SEPARATE TO AVOID DANGER SHOULD LIGHTNING STRIKE THE UTILITIES LINES OR HOME FOR WHEN IT DOES ALL IN THE HOME ARE IN DANGER
I love how the electrician wires the neutral and ground, THEN they display a message reminding the viewer to make sure the main breaker is off.
1:16 "it's always easy to do this before the pipe is cut" the pipe looks cut to me.
this electrician sucks. you're supposed to use sealtite flex not metal flex
How much is to do this
The pressure never went up to 60 PSI. Did this even work?
Looks like a sub panel, neutral and ground together?
Will they still have water if the power goes out?
2 things were not done. 1- Bypass not installed. 2- Flex pipe connected to both inlet and outlet to eliminate vibration throughout the house. 2 very important things they goofed up.
Can you put a pressure tank on a gravity flow system? My public water is gravity flow and is very low. I need to pressurize my system. I am worried the pump will constantly run and will burn up. Thoughts?
Electrician used an NM connector to the panel Has to be MC connector <<< NEC VIOLATION >>>>
Does the distance a well is from the house affect water pressure? The tank is in the basement, but they drilled the well a good distance from the house. I have a second floor laundry room, and when I'm taking a shower, the water pressure in the shower drops when the washing machine fills and during the rinse cycles. What did my builder do wrong? Like I said, he drilled the well a good distance from the house. I should be able to shower and do laundry at the same time, right?
fire your electrician he didnt use crimp spade connectors or even bend the wires into a loop under the terminal screw heads, the neutral wire seemed to be very exposed in the wall box, no insulation after he put it in, he didnt test the earth lines for continuity or anything!!!!, (you added "oh shoot dont forget to switch it off but of course we couldnt do that as the video lights would go out) as system grounds on water system motors are really important unless you DO want to kill your mother-in-law in the shower, you guys are real jokers and you didnt show it blowing all the fawcets off the walls with over-pressure as it didnt shut off at 60psi , hence the clip ended early hahahaha
…still waiting for that 60 psi!
Electrician: "We're gonna cut a little bit…"
Cuts half of the wire