Determining a Normal Water Pressure Gauge Reading – Why It’s Important
Your home’s entire plumbing system is dependent on having just the right amount of water pressure to keep water flowing throughout the day. This means it’s imperative to ensure the correct amount of force is used to meet your water needs.
If your water pressure in your household is too high, it can impose stress on your pipes, fixtures, and appliances — and ultimately lead to cracked pipes. On the other hand, if your water pressure is too low, that could indicate that a leak already exists and is causing damage.
There are multiple measures you can take if you suspect your water pressure needs to be adjusted, but first you’ll need measure your household’s current water pressure.
Read on to learn how to test the water pressure in your home and how to set the right amount of pressure.
Different water gauge reading possibilities
Before you test your water pressure, it’s important to understand the possible readings a gauge might give you.
A normal water pressure gauge reading should be between 50 and 70 psi. While you don’t want the psi to be too low, if you’re reading is above 80 psi you could be in violation of your local water ordinances.
The experts at Chas Roberts recommend aiming for a water pressure gauge reading of 65 psi. This will ensure that you have sufficient water pressure to take comfortable showers and fill up your cooking pots in a reasonable amount of time.
How to Measure Your Water Pressure
Measuring your home water pressure is inexpensive, effective and can be done in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Preparation
To get the most accurate reading, you’ll need to purchase a water pressure gauge from your local home improvement or hardware store.
Step 2: Turn Off Your Water
Once you have your gauge, you’ll want to go around your home and ensure that all faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, dishwasher, washing machine, etc. are turned off.
If water is moving through your plumbing system, your gauge could give an inaccurate or low pressure reading.
Step 3: Attaching Water Pressure Gauge
Next, you’ll attach your water pressure gauge to a faucet or hose bib located on the outside of your home.
The location of where you attach your gauge is dependent on where/how your water is sourced. If you receive water from a municipal utility, attach the gauge to the closest water meter.
If you receive your water from a well, securely attach your water pressure gauge to the hose bib closest to the well’s pressure tank.
Step 4: Measure Water Pressure
After you attach and tighten your water pressure gauge, open the faucet or hose bib all the way. Within a few minutes, you should get a reading of your water pressure and determine if any action needs to be taken.
Understanding Water Pressure Gauge Reading
Understanding your water pressure reading helps identify your next course of action and protects your home from expensive water damage.
Here are a few ways to remedy your high or low water pressure reading:
If It’s Too High
To combat a high-water pressure reading, we recommend installing a water pressure regulator on your water main valve to ensure maximum flow.
If you already have a regulator installed, its best to still evaluate the water pressure because regulators can often fail without any noticeable symptoms.
If It’s Too Low
If your gauge indicates that water pressure is too low, its time to inspect your pressure regulator to make sure it’s set to 50 psi.
If your regulator isn’t to blame, the issue might be with your municipal water utility not delivering enough water flow to your home. To remedy this, simply install a water pressure booster to improve water flow.
If It’s Normal
After assessing your water pressure and you receive a normal water pressure gauge reading, there are no further steps of action necessary. Put your gauge away and in few months test again to ensure that all is well.
Conclusion
Performing routine maintenance checks on your water pressure is crucial to preventing costly water damage and ensuring your household has enough water flow to keep you comfortable.
Chas Roberts is the largest HVAC and plumbing provider in Arizona and has been family-owned and operated for over 75 years. Contact us for reliable, quality service.
