What Is Your Home’s Water Pressure?

Going through water pressure challenges can be a real pain in the neck. Regardless if your shower has become a mere drizzle or your garden hose lacks its usual power, understanding and managing your home’s water pressure is required for getting things flowing again. Thankfully, checking your water pressure is a simple task that doesn’t require special training. Discover the simple process of testing your water pressure at home, how to interpret the results and what a professional can do to fix any issues you find.

Why Should You Test the Water Pressure?

Getting educated about your home’s water pressure guarantees a satisfying shower, but more importantly, it shields your plumbing system from harm. Much like the way you regularly check the oil in your car, examining your water pressure a couple of times a year can prevent bigger problems down the road.

After all, low water pressure is frustrating, but high water pressure can significantly damage your plumbing system, including pipe connections, water heaters and appliances. The chances of blowouts in flexible lines, like those connecting to your washing machine and dishwasher, is greater with high water pressure, potentially causing leaks and extensive water damage. Testing your water pressure and taking appropriate steps based on the results can reduce the chance of your system experiencing these issues.

What You Need to Test Water Pressure

To get started, you need a basic and inexpensive tool called a pressure gauge. These are readily available at hardware or home improvement shops. When choosing a gauge, look for one with female hose threads (to easily attach to an outdoor faucet or hose bib), a rubber gasket for a tight seal and the capability to measure as many as 300 pounds per square inch (psi).

Detailed Guide to Testing Water Pressure

With a pressure gauge in hand, you’re set to check that water pressure. Just use these steps:

1. Preparation: First, make sure that all water outlets in your residence are shut off. This consists of faucets, showerheads, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerator ice makers and sprinkler systems. Any water consumption during testing may alter your readings and give a false impression of low pressure.

2. Hook up the pressure gauge: Attach the gauge to an outside faucet or hose bib. If your water is from a municipal source, connect it to the faucet nearest to the water meter to get the most accurate reading. For homes that use a well system, connect it to a hose bib near the well’s pressure tank.

3. Calculate the pressure: Tighten the gauge by hand and open the faucet all the way. Now, examine the readout to find the pressure. A suitable reading varies from 45 to 55 psi. If your reading is less than 40 psi or above 80 psi, it’s time to take action.

Addressing Water Pressure Problems

Here are remedies to solve water pressure problems:

• High pressure: Set up a water pressure regulator on your water main. This hardware ensures a maximum flow of 75 psi. Even if you already have a regulator, it’s a good idea to test the pressure routinely, as regulators can fail without showing any signs.
• Low pressure: To begin with, look over any existing pressure regulators, which should be set to roughly 50 psi. Adjusting the screw on top usually will strengthen the flow. If a pressure regulator isn’t what’s causing the low pressure, the problem could be with the municipal water supply. In this case, using a water pressure booster may increase the flow.
• Normal pressure: If your pressure falls in the recommended range, no further action is required. Just keep in mind to test your water pressure occasionally to ensure it remains within this range.

When to Seek Professional Help for Water Pressure Problems in the U.S.

If you’re unsure about testing the water pressure in your own home, or if you’ve identified an issue that needs professional evaluation, don’t hesitate to call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Our skilled plumbers can help you test your water pressure, diagnose problems and check to be sure that no fixtures have been harmed by high pressure. We can also help with putting in a pressure regulator or booster if the situation requires. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to make the proper adjustments the first time around. The next time you face water pressure problems or other plumbing difficulties in the U.S., call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help!