What is the optimum water pressure for an average semi?

Question

We have problems with our header tanks refilling and drop of pressure when a tap is turned on using the electric shower.Can anyone say what our pressure should be?

Answer 1

The water pressure to your house should be around 1 bar as supplied by your water company. They can check that is the case. Also i know this sounds like suck eggs time but check that your mains stop tap is sufficiently open. Have a look at your ballcock valve at the header tank to make sure that it is operating freely. Check that where the water leaves the header tank it is clear of any obstructions. Check any gate valves to make sure that all are open.

Answer 2

The problem with your header tanks refilling could be that there is dirt or grit trapped in the ball valve which restricts the flow of water. as for a drop of pressure with the shower when a cold tap is turned on, is normal because the 15mm pipe seving the tap and shower has two outlets to cope with. If your not happy with the pressure, you can have the water board to check it out for you.

Answer 3

In Canada, where I live the municipal water lines are 440 psi in a 4 inch water supply line pipe. This pressure is reduced at the point where the service line meets the property feed line, to 100 psi and the pipe size drops to a 1 inch pipe. The pressure is again reduced at the point where the water line comes into the house, to 60 psi and the water pipes throughout the houses are 1/2 inch pipes. This pressure is sufficient for a average home. In homes with hot water heating, the lines to the heating system boilers are typically 3/4 inch lines, to accommodate the higher water volume needed to run these systems, the water pressure remains at 60 psi.

Answer 4

If you run a feed direct to your shower from your header tank you will not get a pressure drop.