Make Sure There Is Sufficient Water Pressure!
CITY WATER PRESSURE – Required 40 to 100 psi at the pump – the normal range for residential service. A pressure of 50 to 70 psi is most common. You can check with your local water supplier or Building Department or test it with a standard static pressure gauge.
TYPE OF PIPING – Install using copper or plastic piping which is approved in your area. Do not connect to or install using galvanized iron pipe (reduced flow due to calcium buildup and risk of rust or debris breaking loose). Connecting pipe sizes:
- pump RB750 – ½” or ¾”
- pump HB1000 –¾”
- pumps CB1500 – ¾” or 1″
FLOW RESTRICTIONS – The water supply piping for the pump must be “teed in” before any devices that restrict water flow, such as a water softener, filter, or pressure regulator valves (PRV). However, if the pressure is too high, connect after a PRV.
PRIVATE WELL – If you are on a private well, the water pressure is not sufficient and you have to use a battery-powered backup pump instead.
Use the “Bucket Test” to Check Available Water Flow
Pressure alone is not enough – what counts is how much water flow it delivers to the pump! Remove the garden hose from an outside spigot and place a 5-gallon bucket under the spout. Open the spigot fully and measure with a watch how long it takes to fill the bucket to its full mark – usually a couple of inches below the top. You must be able to fill the bucket within the following maximum time for each pump model:
- RB750 – 40 seconds (equivalent to 7-gallons/minute)
- HB1000 – 30 seconds (10 gpm)
- CB1500 – 20 seconds (15 gpm)
The water connection to the hose spigot is usually only 1/2″ and the spigot itself further restricts the flow but these restrictions are similar to those inside the pump. However, “Frost-Proof” spigots greatly restrict water flow – deduct 25% of the measured time! Do not test at the laundry tub, which often has smaller supply tubes and a more restrictive faucet. This test is not valid if the line to the hose spigot connects after a water filter or water softener.