Water pressure

[moyston]

HI Guys, just wondering for some help. I have the ol gravity fed water system in the roof. Im in the process of selling the house , ive changed some taps over, ( not pipes) and now the hot pressure ( none ) obviously drains out of the tap. My question is, without changing it all over and getting an electric mains, is there a pump or anything that can be done to give that little bit of boost to the water ?
thanks

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Have you checked that the HW lines aren't constricted by deposits?

Could be as simple a fix as cleaning 'em out. Not that that's really simple, but still...

[moyston]

what is the easiest way to flush them out. is there something you can get like a draino product to flush them out?

The cold pressure is fine and comes out really good, its the hot from the gravity thats a bit slow or weak

[mickelmaster]

Do you have solar hot water? If so, theres probably a problem with your pressure release valve.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

what is the easiest way to flush them out. is there something you can get like a draino product to flush them out?

The cold pressure is fine and comes out really good, its the hot from the gravity thats a bit slow or weak

Hot water lines seem to be more prone to lime scale than cold-water, so are generally the first to go. Old galvanised pipes are the most likely to suffer this problem (due to age, more than anything) but it's more likely you have ciopper lines. Or, if it's a relatively recent house, PEX.

If that is the problem. When you replaced the taps, did you notice heavy scale inside the lines or old taps? If not, then it's probably not your problem. Another possibility - esp. with copper or PEX lines, is that they've been crushed somewhere. Perhaps a too tight a bend?

Yet another thing to check is that the outlet of your header tank hasn't simply sucked up & caught a piece of crud. Not likely, but it has happened to me. :B

You need to be certain that the lines are OK, otherwise a pump or any other fix is just a patch, not a fix - and so is really wasted money. Pressure Booster Pumps are a LOT more expensive than flushing or patching damaged lines, after all. :shrug:

If you want/need to go for a booster, try Googling "boosting water pressure." (http://www.google.com.au/search?q=boosting+water+pressure))

-----------

FWIW, the only way I know to DIY remove lime scale (but then again, I'm not a plumber) is to disconnect the output line after the HWS and fill it with vinegar. Let it stand for a week, then flush thoroughly. Repeat until the flushed vinegar isn't cloudy before reconnecting to the HWS.

A weak acid solution such as CLR or muratic acid would be a lot quicker, but I most definitely wouldn't use them in a potable water supply! :oo:

With the volume of vinegar needed 'tis a pretty expen$ive exercise, so you don't want to do it if you don't need to!

[moyston]

there copper lines and pretty good. The water before was ok, typical gravity speed.
No its not a solar HWS, however will look into the outlet in the tank to see if there is some crud up there. the water is clear and was clear even changed it. However speaking to a plumber today , he did say that the new taps nowadays have a flowmeter in them and you just need to break them off, as down the track they clog up.
Also found a grundfos circulating pump which is designed to go on the outlet of the pipe and it boosts the pressure by up to 10 metres, which isnt much , but they say its good and is designed for taps and showers. ill check it out this weekend and clean it out, dont think there would be crushed or bend as its never been like this until i changed the taps. then really noticed it. ill check it out, i know those pumps are a lazy $399 from Grundfos direct, but they swear by it.
those interested http://www.pumpwarehouse.com.au/category49_1.htm
thanks , just hate getting up there with all those cobwebs and dark places!