How To: Test Your Water Pressure
When it comes to the water pressure in your home there is a fine line between too much pressure and too little. On one hand it is important to have enough pressure for comfortable showers or to fill your pots and pans up in a timely manner while on the other hand too much pressure can cause stress on your pipes and plumbing fixtures. To avoid having too much or too little pressure there are three simple ways to figure out the current water pressure at your home:
- Purchase pressure gauge: for this method, simply visit your local hardware store in search of a pressure gauge which will hook onto your faucet. To ensure a proper read make sure any washer, dish washer, or other water using appliances are off. You gauge will quickly display the number giving you an idea on your current water pressure. Any reading between 30psi and 80psi is considered an average household plumbing pressure.
- Bathroom test: this method is extremely simple and often a method people take when searching for a new home. For this technique simply turn on the water to your bathroom sinks and shower at the same time. While the water is still running in the sink and shower, flush the toilet. If the water flow in the bathroom appears to drop when the toilet is flushed the problem should be further investigated.
- Call a plumber: if methods #1 and #2 aren’t your cup of tea there is always the issue to call your local trusted plumber to have your home’s water pressure tested. Sometimes when you aren’t sure or not confident to test it yourself this is definitely the best option!
If it does turn out your water pressure is indeed too low there can be a few contributing factors. Problems could include a leak, buildup in the pipes, or a bigger issue that is slowly brewing. If it is determined your water pressure should be increased contact a local plumbing company to talk about your options for improving your plumbing work!
