Water pressure can affect efficiency in a home. Low water pressure will affect how you enjoy your showers, clean your dishes, and do your laundry. Low water pressure also means that some of your taps might not dispense water at all.
High water pressure, on the other hand, will damage your pipes, appliances, water heater, and faucets, and can cause a mess in your house. To prevent this from happening, our plumbing professionals at Clarke & Rush suggest that you test the water pressure in your house.
Testing your water pressure is not hard. You need an inexpensive tool called a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge will help you accurately determine the pressure of the water you are receiving in your home. It is able to measure up to 300 pounds per square inch (psi).
How to Check Your Water Pressure at Home
Most people only test their water pressure if it becomes too low. However, it is important to periodically test your water pressure to determine whether there are problems that need fixing.
Turn off the water inside and outside your house. Make sure that all the taps, shower heads, dish washers, and appliances that use water are shut off as well. This ensures that no water is moving inside your plumbing system.
Place your gauge on the faucet or hose bib that is outside your house. You can place it to the tap closest to the meter if your water is supplied to you by the municipal council.
Make sure that the gauge is placed securely and completely open the faucet or tap. Make sure that there is no water leakage. A good seal will ensure that you get an accurate reading.
You can now check your gauge to determine the pressure of the water. Normally, you should expect a reading of 45 to 55 psi. Anything below 40 psi or above 80 psi requires immediate attention.
Handling High or Low Water Pressure
Depending on the reading, you will have to take action and rectify the water pressure. A reading of 40 psi and below indicates low water pressure while a reading of 80 psi and above indicates high water pressure. You do not need to take any action if the reading on your pressure gauge is normal.
If the water pressure is too high– Consider purchasing a pressure regulator. This helps maintain a maximum flow of 75 psi. If you have one already, get it checked. Pressure regulators can fail and affect water pressure.
If the water pressure is too low– Start by inspecting your pressure regulator and fixing it if it has failed. Your pressure regulator is usually set at 50 psi. This gives you room to adjust it and raise that value to your desired levels. If the regulator is not faulty, check with your municipal water utility as they could be delivering water at low pressure. You could also use a water pressure booster to increase the water pressure when you turn on the faucets.
A Sacramento plumber will be in a better position to help you determine your water pressure and provide the right solution to any problem regarding your plumbing. If you are looking for a Sacramento plumber, look no further than Clarke and Rush for professional plumbing services.
