Water storage tank

[JackofAll]

Is a water storage tank essential, currently connected to mains and hope to drill a well before the year is out. Had initially planned for pumped tank in plant room but after checking the water pressure (3.9bar) just wondering if the tank is now needed. I know if the mains were disconnected you would have the storage tank bit that wouldn't last pissin time in our house. Any ideas?

[JohnMo]

Have you checked static and dynamic pressure? You are more interested in the dynamic pressure. Open a tap full bore and see what happens. Check at different times of the day.

[JackofAll]

Checked tap(albeit a make shift one) at full bore that was reading 3.9bar though that was the middle of the day, will try it morning and evening too. Is it OK to plumb toilets handbasin etc direct from main?

[Marvin]

Hi @JackofAll

 

Personally I would use a pressure reducing valve set at about 3 bar fixed on the incoming main.

 

Depending on how far you are away from the supply during the summer the pressure can drop significantly. But its not just the pressure its actually the flow rate that you should worry about. Test this by using the first tap from the mains:

 

Put a big bucket under the tap.

Turn the tap full on and count how long it takes to fill the bucket and then turn tap off.

Measure the water in the bucket so you know how many litres are in it.

Divide the litres by the amount of seconds it took to fill the bucket and times the result by 60. 

This will be the amount of water that will enter the house system per minute.

 

As an example a typical shower will use between 12 and 16 litres a minute. 

 

What will happen:

 

If you have 2 showers on at the same time in the house you will need a supply of 24 to 32 litres per minute otherwise the showers will dribble.

Bear in mind the kitchen tap on and off loos flushed, washing machines and dishwasher possibly using water whilst showering.

 

Good luck

 

M

[JackofAll]

2 hours ago, Marvin said:

Hi @JackofAll

 

Personally I would use a pressure reducing valve set at about 3 bar fixed on the incoming main.

 

Depending on how far you are away from the supply during the summer the pressure can drop significantly. But its not just the pressure its actually the flow rate that you should worry about. Test this by using the first tap from the mains:

 

Put a big bucket under the tap.

Turn the tap full on and count how long it takes to fill the bucket and then turn tap off.

Measure the water in the bucket so you know how many litres are in it.

Divide the litres by the amount of seconds it took to fill the bucket and times the result by 60. 

This will be the amount of water that will enter the house system per minute.

 

As an example a typical shower will use between 12 and 16 litres a minute. 

 

What will happen:

 

If you have 2 showers on at the same time in the house you will need a supply of 24 to 32 litres per minute otherwise the showers will dribble.

Bear in mind the kitchen tap on and off loos flushed, washing machines and dishwasher possibly using water whilst showering.

 

Good luck

 

M

What purpose does the pressure reducing valve have? Will try the bucket tomorrow, thanks.

[Marvin]

Hi @JackofAll

 

You haven't indicated how you intend to heat water.  I assume a instant hot water system and it will need a pressure limiter anyway.

 

However in general a water pressure limiter will protect your home from excessive pressure which over time can wear out equipment, cause some loos to be very noisy when filling, protect water softeners, allow a more regularised supply when more than one tap, loo, shower or machine is using water at the same time.

I usually connect them right after the supply to any outside taps.

 

[JackofAll]

Water heated via ASHP, will get a reducing valve to be safe, thanks.