When water line repairs or a water line is needed it may be an opportune time for increasing water pressure. Most property owners assume that because an existing water main is a certain size that the new water line should be the same size. in fact that is usually far from true, and in NYC may actually be a violation of code.
In a relatively large percentage of homes plumbing 
fixtures have been added over the years. Such as dish washers, clothes washing machines, added sinks or bathrooms, and underground lawn sprinkler systems. Any added usage increases the demand for water volume and water pressure required. In addition almost all homes now have water meters which further restrict the flow of water, reducing maximum volume. For these reasons and others when a water main is replaced the new water line should be sized out very carefully, especially if increasing water pressure is one of the goals.
The NYC DEP has a carefully constructed sizing table available to ensure that proper sizes are used when water line repairs are done, following them is vital to increasing water pressure. Always ask a water main contractor to verify the correct size, do not take this important step for granted. Simply increasing a water line from 1″ diameter to 1 1/4″ will almost double the volume of water for an additional cost of around $100.00 or $200.00 dollars. A small price to pay for increasing water pressure in such a dramatic fashion, which can change your quality of life. Multiple plumbing fixtures should be able to be used simultaneously in a home without any drop in water pressure. If you have ever uttered ‘Don’t flush the toilet I’m in the shower’ you know what low water pressure is all about.
Hand-in-hand with increasing water pressure is verifying that the tap connection on the city main is adequate. For most areas of NYC the DEP has accurate tap records. One prominent exception is the old Jamaica Water territory that NYC took over in the 1990′s. Most of the old Jamaica Water area has undersized taps along with water line services that are usually undersized and very sketchy records. For homeowners is this area it is typical for a new tap connection to be needed for increasing water pressure.
A rule of thumb is that most two family homes require an 1 1/4″ water main, three family homes require 1 1/2″. Multi-family home should be sized out using the NYC DEP sizing table for correct sizing. Nobody likes to spend money on water line repairs needlessly,¬† but it is better to do it right the first time with the correct size water line.
About Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer line & water line replacement company in NYC. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. As a family run business in operation for over 50 years, our 10 year guarantee means we continue to stand by our work after the job is done.We are expertly equipped, from our 48,000 square foot facility to dozens of trucks, heavy moving equipment, backhoes and pneumatics. For all your sewer repair, water line repair, sewer and water line replacement, house trap, backwater check valve, hydrants, manholes, specialty water main work, and trench drains contact Balkan Plumbing today.
Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com
