The pump room
Blog style practical advice and industry insights to help keep your systems running smoothly.
How Your Piping Layout Can Affect Pump Performance
When your pump isn’t working quite right, you probably think about the pump itself.
But here’s something that might surprise you: the way your pipes are laid out can be just as important.
The Suction Side: Handle With Care
Think of the suction side as the pump’s “drinking straw.” If that straw has problems, the liquid will struggle to get into the pump properly. Here’s what can go wrong:
- Sharp bends right before the pump make the liquid swirl around unevenly, which the pump really doesn’t like
- Pipes that are too narrow squeeze the flow and speed it up too much, which can cause something called cavitation (basically, tiny bubbles that damage the pump)
- Long pipes with lots of twists and valves make it harder for the pump to suck liquid in, like trying to drink a thick milkshake through a long bendy straw
The golden rule? Keep the suction piping short, straight and as simple as possible. Keep the pipe or hose size the same as the pumps ports or larger.
Discharge piping challenges
Once liquid leaves the pump, the discharge side needs to be designed to handle the pressure without overstressing the pump. Common issues include:
Rapid changes in pipe size: Sudden expansions or reductions create turbulence and energy loss.
Poorly supported piping : If the pipework isn’t braced or the way it is aligned with the pump isn’t correct, the pump ends up carrying the weight and stress. This usually means damage to the pump as well as other system components down the road.
Complicated arrangements: Similarly to the suction side, complicated spaghetti runs with lots of bends, elbows and restrictions from the pump’s discharge side means the pump has to work harder in order to get the liquid where it needs to go.
Air Pockets: The Invisible Problem
If your piping goes up and down, loops over other pipes or goes up and over the edge of something like a drum or wall, air can get trapped at the high points the lines. These air pockets can starve your pump or make the flow jumpy and unreliable.
Your Installation Matters More Than You Think
Even the world’s best pump won’t perform well in a poorly designed system. This is where many pump problems actually originate… not with the pump itself, but with how it’s installed and connected.
Consider things like how high the pump needs to lift liquid on the suction side, how much space you have for installation and how your piping is laid out. A pump that looks perfect on paper might be completely wrong for your physical setup.
Think About the Person Who’ll Fix It Later
One day, someone will need to maintain or repair your pump. If the piping is so cramped that they can’t even get to it, a simple job becomes an all-day nightmare. Always leave enough space to isolate the pump, reach valves and work safely.
The Hidden Cost: Energy
In a pump system very bend, valve long stretch of pipe, and rough surface adds friction to the liquid. This usually means higher electricity bills and faster wear and tear. A well-planned layout isn’t just more reliable. It actually saves you money over time and can even mean a smaller, more affordable pump size in the first place.
Bottom Line
Even the best pump in the world will struggle if the piping around it isn’t done right. Getting the layout right from the start (with good routing, proper support and easy access) prevents so many problems down the road.
If you’re wondering whether your current setup is helping or hurting your pump, feel free to reach out. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can spot issues that are easy to fix.