boss 14 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 I am looking at buying a 5.5 gpm machine but don't have room for a tank. Does anyone know what the typical gpm of a home water source is? I am trying to figure out if I would be able to run it without a tank. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 home water supply is so variable - I have run into many homes that you can cavitate a 4gpm pump Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PressurePros 248 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Dan I was at a house on Sunday.. an HVAC guy. He had a setup in his garage with what looked like 3/4" piping with pressure guages, lever shut off valves, coupled hoses on spring reels. I had the ten gpm machine running full bore and our tank didn't budge an inch. Average municpal flow around here is 6-8 gpm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 My house has like 5-6 gpm. 7 is considered high end in my area- the next street over has about 1-2 gpm, they're still on an old water line - yet their neighbors across are on a new water line. I ran into homes that my 2.7gpm machine would cavitate on sometimes. One lady - I emptied my 35 gallon buffer with my 4gpm machine - and had to wait 15 minutes for it to fill back up! Other homes - because I use one of those toilet floats - water finds cracks and geysers out of my tank. Like I said all variable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 It really depends on the builder and the piping installed as well. Some houses we go to have such a low flow from 1/4" pipes that we need to tap both faucets to get enough to keep us going for a while. One machine is 8gpm 2guns with a 150 gallon tank, the other is 4.6 gpm 1gun with a 30 gallon tank. Rod!~ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher 102 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Every house is different. Down south we have a problem with hard water and mineral deposits that will clog the galvanized pipes that go from the meter to the house. Over the years you need to have the supply pipe changed out so that is what I did when I bought this house because the water was barely dribbling out of the faucets. I ran a 1" line from the meter to the house and 3/4" to the bathrooms, kitchens and hose bibs and then 1/2" up the walls to the faucets for the most supply as possible. When I fill my 325 gallon tank here at the house it only takes around 30 to 40 minutes so I guess that is around 8-10 gallons a minute. I have been at houses and commercial properties that I would have to shut down the machine and wait until the water caught up and on a few places I could run both the 5.5 and 8gpm machines at the same time with the flow out of the faucet. You just never know so be prepared for the worst and you will be ready. I would have at least a 50 to 100 gallon buffer tank to be safe. You mention that you don't have room for a tank. Maybe you need to get a larger trailer so you have the room, the manufacturer will not warranty you burning up your pump packings or plungers due to cavitation and low water supply. Trying to save you from looking like a moron when the damage happens from not listening to good advice but it is up to you. What kind of rig do you have where you have no room for the water tank that will supply the pressure washer that is making you money? I hope you are not trying to put all that weight in the back of a little toyota pickup truck. Remember that water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon so do the math and get your rig setup so you do not overload the vehicle carrying it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 I'd die without my 35 gallon buffer - even decent water supply has air and surges. I'll make sure to test the water supply while doing an estimate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adrian 155 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) I am looking at buying a 5.5 gpm machine but don't have room for a tank. Does anyone know what the typical gpm of a home water source is? I am trying to figure out if I would be able to run it without a tank. Thanks! Boss, please go to "my controls" and complete your signature line. Do I know you? I was running my Marietta operation from 03-06 ( get my years wrong). Maybe we have met or chatted before. To answer your question, "yes". You can simply open your spiggot into an empty 5 or 6 gallon pail or tote and " time it" to get your answer. Ih the gpm doesn't qualify then you might need a buffer. Edited June 3, 2009 by Adrian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FullBlast 14 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 I run 7-8 gpm pumps and I sure glad I have my buffer tank. I have 500 gallons but you wouldn't need that much. 20-30 gal would probley make a difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPetry 564 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Glad we do wood. 4.5 gpm AR pumps. Never had a problem with low flow, even with large jobs and well water. Don't own a tank, never will. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starter dave 14 Report post Posted September 20, 2009 So, if you are only restoring exterior wood (decks & fences) you do not need a buffer tank for water? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted September 20, 2009 AT the very least - if I was going to do only wood like Rick Petry, even with a 4.5gpm machine. I'd get a bladder tank from a plumbing supply house with an air bleed for trapped air to escape and mount it on a dolly. It's serves as nice little 15 or so gallon buffer with the added benefit of still being a pressurized hose source. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starter dave 14 Report post Posted September 21, 2009 How much water do you go through on a average deck? I can not figure out if I would need a H20 tank or not. Trying to keep the trailer simple and light. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PressurePros 248 Report post Posted September 21, 2009 Again there really is no average. We can dump 600 gallons of water on a deck that would be normal size for us. Get some type of buffer. My rule of thumb is is to have 10 gallons of backup water for every gallon a machine flows. (eg 4 gpm machine= 40 gallon buffer) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Ortiz 14 Report post Posted September 21, 2009 If you don have room for a buffer tank look for a poly road blockade looks like a median usualy they r orange. i have always wanted to put one in the back of a flatbed some r like 225 gal and only 1-2'w x 6'l x about3'h. just have to plumbit. they make em in diff sizes too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starter dave 14 Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Cool, how would you get your hands on one of those things? At least a legal way? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jerry 24 Report post Posted September 26, 2009 Pressure-feed, going above 4gpm, is an exposure-problem to pump cavitation. Pressure fed systems that have questionable water-supply tend to EAT seals. If you use cold water, and you find you can squeeze the garden hose flat while the gun is open, you can reduce the nozzle size, to reduce the required flow, as long as the unloader valve is adjusted conservastively... CALL A TECH FIRST ! .. especially if your system is a hot machine. Small, mangeable, portable "SurgeTanks" are available too ! to solve these and other water-supply problems. 14, 16, 30, 50 gallon versions, with float-valves, filters, quick couplers, wheels, carry-handles, and so on. call with any question. Jerry McMillen President, Cleaning System Specialists, Inc. jerry@pressurewasher.net dba PressureWasher.net call 800-400-Clean (2532) 10821 Airport Drive El Cajon, Calif. 92020 office 619-448-8111 manufacturers of… BullDogPro Industrial Water Blasters Sirocco Reclaim Systems, and the VacuBerm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
extreme 14 Report post Posted September 27, 2009 I am looking at buying a 5.5 gpm machine but don't have room for a tank. Does anyone know what the typical gpm of a home water source is? I am trying to figure out if I would be able to run it without a tank. Thanks! Hi Paul here. Usually home source is sixty psi and between four and five gallons a min. You will know right away if you new pressure cleaner is not keeping up,as your gun will start surging Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
