Water Systems: Pumps, Filters, Heaters and Tanks

by DoItYourself Staff

Water Systems Safety Tips

Water filter cartridges should be changed regularly. Once they have reached their filtering capacity, they can begin to release previously filtered substances or block water passage altogether.

Always leave the cold water gate valve open when the water heater is in use.

Never store combustible or flammable products, such as gasoline, paint thinner, aerosol cans, etc., in a room with a gas water heater. These items can emit vapors that may come into contact with the gas pilot light and cause a fire.

Tank Water Heater

Can operate on either gas or electricity.

Copper-, stone- and glass-lined water heaters perform better than unlined aluminum or galvanized steel heaters.

A stainless steel alloy called HWT is designed to resist corrosion as well as the lined models.

Unlined galvanized steel tanks perform least well, but they are the least expensive and may prove satisfactory in localities where the water supply does not have adverse effects on equipment.

To stop tank corrosion, a magnesium-coated metal rod is available. It is hung inside the tank 3" or 4" away from the bottom. Because the magnesium paper eventually will be eaten away, the rod should be inspected from time to time and replaced when necessary.

Better-grade, non-metallic gas water heaters are also popular.

The tanks, although more expensive than metal models, are light, easy to install and corrosion-proof.

Advise homeowners to partially drain their water heater once or twice a year to remove the accumulation of sediment, which can affect operation.

Tankless Water Heater

Can operate on either gas or electricity.

Tankless water heaters are small heating units that are hooked into plumbing lines and heat water only as needed. They do not store water, but heat it as it moves through the unit.

Larger tankless heaters are installed at the point where water enters the house; smaller units are installed at the point where water is used and require more than one in a house. Some operate on house current, others on gas.

Some of the larger units require different size plumbing lines and different size flue vents than do tank-type heaters.

If gas-fueled, the heater must be properly vented; if electric, it may need to be wired with two units in series which may not be practical for existing home wiring. Larger units require a 220V or 240V line. Smaller units will operate on standard 110V lines.

Tankless heaters are more expensive than tank types. However, they do produce savings in annual energy consumption and cost.

Although tankless heaters will deliver continuous hot water, they are limited in quantity. The central units cannot support hot water demands from several points at the same time; obviously, the smaller units will heat water delivered only at the points where they are installed.

Because of the high initial cost and the fact that American consumers are not used to the limitations these heaters place on the availability of hot water, their recommended use is to supplement existing tank-type heaters or in summer homes or locations where demand for hot water is light.

Water Softener

Help remove minerals (magnesium, calcium, iron) that cause "hard" water.

Quality water softeners have either fiberglass linings or steel tanks that have double coatings of epoxy for guaranteed rustproofing.

Fiberglass tanks prevent electrolytic action that causes excessive rust and corrosion because there is no metal-to-metal contact. When water enters the home, it is directed into the water softener. Water passes over a mineral bed, with minerals holding the lime and magnesium present in the water.

Chemicals in the water softener unit must be regenerated, cleaned or replaced. The regeneration process happens by reversing the flow of water through the softener tank and adding sodium chloride or potassium chloride. The reversed water flow quickly flushes accumulated minerals from the chemical

Quality water softeners have solid brass and copper valves and bearings. Iron or steel parts are seldom used in a quality softener because salt can cause rust.

One of the best ways to sell water softeners is to offer free tests to homeowners to determine the hardness of their water. If the water shows 8 to 10 grains hardness, a water softener is recommended to assure the home of sufficiently soft water. If tests show 15 grains of hardness, a water softener is necessary. The test is easy to conduct. Have the customer bring a sample of home water to the store; dip the specially treated paper into the water. Paper color will change depending on water hardness. Testing kits will contain hardness charts.

Water Filter

Used to remove bacteria and/or chemicals suspended in water to improve its taste and smell. Filters either install under the sink or at the point where the water supply enters the building (whole-house filters). Others mount on the faucet or countertop.

The basic types of water filtration devices are activated-carbon filters, reverse osmosis, distillation and aeration.

Activated-carbon filters are the least expensive water filtration devices. They can remove impurities and improve water taste and odor, but do not eliminate dissolved minerals or bacteria. One solution is to combine a carbon filter with a chlorination system.

Reverse-osmosis systems take out dissolved lead, mercury,cadmium and other heavy metals that are present in the water, but will not eliminate microorganisms. They are also relatively expensive.

Distillation removes most impurities in the water system. Distillers work slowly and must be cleaned regularly

Aeration reduces, but does not necessarily eliminate, the levels of iron, chlorine and other gases in the water. It works best when combined with other treatment forms.

Some filters feature cartridges that can be cleaned and reused several times before replacement.

Filters based on ceramic technology will remove up to 100 percent of bacteria as well as chemicals, tastes and odors. Some have proven effective in removing such contaminants as algae, chlorine and detergents found in many urban water supplies.

Another under-sink model even reduces levels of MTBE, a gasoline additive that contaminates some wells and municipal water systems.

Always study information about the specific filters that you are selling.

Sump Pump

Used to discharge ground water that accumulates around a basement that is below the water line. The basement should have a drain tile around it to collect ground water and convey it to the sump in the basement.

A Submersible type pump is a motor and pump sealed in one unit that rests in the sump pit.

A Pedestal pump sits in the water, but the motor is mounted on a column above the water. They are available in automatic or manual models, either gravity-fed or self-priming operation.

Pump capacity is rated by gallons-per-hour pumped as well as lift pressure generated to how high the liquid is to be pumped. Submersible Sewage and Effluent pumps are for continuous use in moving large volumes of water containing solids.

Some pumps have battery backup, and a combination electric and battery-powered sump pump is now available.

All-Purpose Pumps

Lightweight pumps used to clear flooded basements, drain low spots after a heavy rain, etc. Used by farmers, boaters and campers as well as homeowners.

One type operates off a 12V battery and can be attached to a car, truck, tractor or boat battery.

Another type uses a standard 115V house current.

Most units pump from 250-500 gallons per hour and are self priming and easy to operate

Utility Pumps

Larger than all purpose pumps and often gasoline powered.

Used to pump manholes, for irrigation and lawn sprinkling, for fire protection and as an emergency water supply during power failure.

Capacities range up to 85 gallons per minute. Suction lifts up to 25'.

Another type is a high pressure, hand held utility pump that adds as much as 80 lbs. to intake pressure. It operates on 115V current, and when connected to a standard garden hose, can be used to hose down hard surface driveways and window screens, to wash cars and boats and to clean animal-housing areas. They will also draw water from shallow wells, tanks, etc.

Homewater Systems

Consists of a pump, a pressure tank and switch.

The tank will supply water between the cut-on and cut-off pressure setting on the pump, usually 20-40 psi. While 20-40 lbs. pressure is adequate, 30-50 lbs. or 40-60 lbs. is best for home supplies. Since the tank supplies small amounts of water, the pump does not have to turn on each time a faucet is used.

Pumps are shallow-well or deep-well. Shallow-well pumps are installed at well depths of 25' or less. Where deep-well pumps can be used in water depths of 300' or greater, depending on altitude.

Horsepower rating determines pump size. Pumps used in theaverage home are 1/3-, 1/2-, 3/4- or 1-hp. When helping customers choose a pump, find the required capacity by counting the number of faucets in the home (count tub faucets as two) and multiplying by 60. This is the number of gallons-per-hour the pump should supply from the well. Remind customers to allow for additional appliances that use water.

Home water-system pumps are usually centrifugal or jet. This type builds a centrifugal force, which lifts the water.

Older homes may have a piston pump. A piston pump builds pressure that pulls water up through the casing.

There are several important terms to know when selling a pump: Well-sized. The inside diameter of the well indicates proper size pump, ejector, cylinder or drop pipe (pipe that is lowered into well casing to transport the water) and foot valve (located at the bottom of the drop pipe to keep water from flowing backward into the well). Pumping level. The vertical distance in feet from pump to water level while the pump is operating. If pump is installed away from the well and is on higher ground, this elevation must also be included.

Most wells draw down (water level goes down inside the well as water is pumped into the home) so this must not be confused with standing water level.

Average discharge pressure: The usual average discharge pressure is 30 lbs., halfway between the 20-40 lb. switch setting of most water systems. When the tank is installed away from the pump at a higher level or when house or yard fixtures are above the pump and tank, a greater pressure is needed and a larger pump must be used.

Capacity required: This is the discharge capacity of the pump in gallons per hour necessary for satisfactory service. The pump should have enough capacity so that it does not need to work more than the equivalent of two hours a day in intermittent service.

Well points: These are used to drive wells in soil that is soft and primarily free of rock and where water is known to be close to the surface. Points are screwed onto the end of pipe to be lowered into the ground; then the point and pipe are driven into the ground with a sledgehammer or mallet. Well points have strainer baskets on the ends that sift out dirt and small stones.

Septic Tank

A large watertight settling tank that holds sewage while it decomposes by bacterial action.

Made of asphalt coated steel, redwood, concrete, concrete block, clay tile or brick.

Tanks must be sized to suit the house. Two bedroom homes need minimum 750 gallon tanks, according to the U.S. Public Health Service. Three bedroom homes need 900 gallon tanks and four bedroom homes require 1,000 gallon tanks. Garbage disposers, washing machines and dishwashers are figured in this estimate.

Household sewage flows into the septic tank and decomposes. Sludge collects on the bottom of the tank and liquid effluent flows out to a distribution system. The distribution system is a series of underground disposal lines that radiate outward from a central distribution point; the effluent seeps into the earth.

Sludge remaining in the tank must be cleaned out periodically to prevent this layer from building up enough to cause clogging of disposal lines or household sewer lines.

Under ordinary use, the tank may need cleaning at two to four-year intervals, but most experts recommend that the sludge level be inspected every 12 to 18 months. Inspect by opening a special manhole cover or trapdoor located at or near ground level.

Septic tank cleaners dissolve sludge through enzyme activators that regenerate the natural bacterial activity of decomposition for which the tanks were designed. These natural bacterial activators continue from the tank into the drain and tile field.

Need a water filter? Compare brands, types and prices with our Water Filters Buyer's Guide.