Boosting City Water Pressure: A Guide to Flint & Walling Booster Pumps
Posted by Flint and Walling
For many homeowners and installers, low city water pressure is more than a minor inconvenience—it impacts daily comfort and system performance. Whether it’s a shower that feels weak or an irrigation system struggling to cover the lawn, a Flint & Walling City Water Pressure Booster Pump can deliver the pressure you need, when you need it. Follow the FW1492 City Pressure Booster Pump Catalogue.
When to Use a Booster Pump
Booster pumps are designed exclusively for city water applications, not wells, lakes, or cisterns. Common use cases include:
- In the home: Enhancing water pressure for showers, fixtures, and appliances.
- Irrigation systems: Ensuring full coverage and consistent spray patterns.
Flint & Walling offers two models:
- ½ HP (VPO5) – ideal for boosting pressure inside homes.
- 1 HP (VP10) – best suited for irrigation systems requiring higher flow.
Compact Power with Reliable Design
Despite their small footprint (about the size of a mailbox), F&W booster pumps pack impressive performance. Each unit includes:
- Stainless steel impellers for durability.
- Internal flow switch & fine mesh screen to prevent debris from interfering with operation.
- Built-in thermal sensor that protects against overheating caused by dry run, dead head, or rapid cycling.
- Onboard electronic protections with indicator lights for power, operation, and failure alerts.
These features give both homeowners and installers confidence that the pump will perform reliably while protecting itself from damage.
Installation Best Practices for Installers
Proper installation ensures long-term performance and easier service:
- Install valves and unions on both the inlet and outlet for easy removal or winterization.
- Include a bypass loop, allowing continued water supply if power is lost or the pump is offline.
- Use a pressure reducing valve if incoming pressure exceeds 30 PSI (for VPO5) or 50 PSI (for VP10).
- Add a pressure relief valve on the discharge side to prevent overpressurization.
Priming is simple—just open the inlet and outlet valves slowly until water flows through the air relief plug, then re-tighten. In most cases, the pump will be ready in under 30 seconds.
Performance in Action
An installer in Fort Wayne, IN, demonstrated the difference by toggling a VP10 pump on an irrigation system. Without the booster, sprinklers “painted circles.” With the booster engaged, the system delivered a consistent “rain curtain” effect—ensuring even coverage and healthy turf.
Performance charts show:
- The VPO5 (½ HP) delivers the best boost in home-use flow ranges (3–9 GPM).
- The VP10 (1 HP) provides up to a 40 PSI boost at higher flows (15–18 GPM), making it the go-to choice for irrigation.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
F&W booster pumps are designed for continuous operation (24/7/365) and require minimal upkeep. Key tips include:
- Check air charge in the pressure tank (25 PSI for VPO5, 35 PSI for VP10).
- Inspect impellers if performance drops.
- Watch for rapid cycling—often caused by a waterlogged tank (loss of air charge).
Indicator lights make troubleshooting simple:
- Green = Power is on.
- Yellow (solid) = Water is flowing.
- Yellow (flashing) = Possible system leak.
- Red = Pump shut down due to dry run, dead head, or overheating.
Resetting is as easy as unplugging the pump for a few seconds and plugging it back in.
Why Choose Flint & Walling?
Unlike many off-the-shelf boosters, Flint & Walling’s units are engineered with added protections and installer-friendly features that save time and prevent costly callbacks. With decades of pump expertise, we back our products with training resources, literature, and dedicated sales support.
Ready to install or spec a booster pump? Contact your local Flint & Walling sales representative. If you’re unsure who that is, click here to connect with us.
Don’t forget to check out the FW1492 City Pressure Booster Pump Catalogue.
As well as the full FW1464-VP05-VP10-City-Pressure-Booster-Instruction manual here.
