There’s nothing like a warm shower with great water pressure, but did you know your home’s water pressure could damage your plumbing system? Read on to find out the ideal water pressure setting for your home and how to check your home’s water pressure.
What is Water Pressure?
Water pressure refers to the amount of force exerted on your water to push it through your pipes. It’s reported in pounds per square inch (psi) and measured by a gauge.
Water pressure can be affected by altitude, demand and sediment buildup, or a blockage in your pipes.
Why Should I Test My Home’s Water Pressure?
Too much water pressure can cause damage to flexible plumbing lines like washing machine hoses. The pressure can cause a blowout of the line and flooding damage to your home.’
High water pressure can stress your plumbing system, increase the likelihood of a break in your lines, and reduce the life span of your plumbing system.
What is the Ideal Water Pressure for My Home?
It’s important to maintain your home’s water pressure within an acceptable range. The ideal water pressure ranges between 40 and 80 pounds per square inch, with the recommended home water pressure at 60 psi.
How to Test Your Home’s Water Pressure
Here are some simple steps to test your home’s water pressure.
- If you get your water supply from a municipal supplier, the best spot to test your home’s water pressure is at a hose spigot closest to where your main water supply enters the home. If you don’t have a hose bib, you can also test your home’s water pressure from the washing machine’s cold water supply. Disconnect the hose, taking precaution to catch the water trapped in the hose. Attach the pressure gauge to the faucet and open it up to read the pressure level.
- Before testing the water pressure at the spigot, make sure water is not being used anywhere else in the house. Check for places like dishwashers and laundry machines that might be running and create a false low reading.
- Use a pressure gauge that reads in psi and install it onto the faucet, hand-tightening it for a tight seal. Water leaking during the test will result in an inaccurate reading.
- Open the faucet completely. The pressure gauge should start to read the water pressure level.
Get The Right Water Pressure With Len The Plumber
Now that you know your home’s water pressure reading, you may need to take some action to make sure it fits within the ideal psi. You can do that by a simple adjustment to your home’s water pressure regulator.
However, other factors might be making your home’s water pressure less than ideal. Low water pressure can be a symptom of clogged water filters, a kink in your main water line, or the home’s flow restrictor. Our experienced team at Len The Plumber can help determine and fix the cause of your water pressure woes.