Easy Ways You Can Test Water Pressure at Home

Experiencing water pressure challenges can be a real nuisance. Regardless if your shower has become a mere drizzle or your garden hose lacks its usual force, understanding and dealing with your home’s water pressure is crucial for getting things flowing again. The good thing is, evaluating your water pressure is a simple task that doesn’t call for special training. Learn the simple process of testing your water pressure at home, how to understand the results and what a professional can do to correct any irregularities 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 protects your plumbing system from damage. Much like the way you regularly check the oil in your car, examining your water pressure a few times a year can prevent bigger problems later on.

After all, low water pressure is aggravating, but high water pressure can significantly damage your plumbing system, including pipe connections, water heaters and appliances. The risk of blowouts in flexible lines, like those connecting to your washing machine and dishwasher, increases with high water pressure, potentially leading to leaks and extensive water damage. Evaluating your water pressure and acting on the results can help avoid these issues.

Tools You’ll Need to Test Water Pressure at Home

To get started, you need a basic and inexpensive tool called a pressure gauge. These are often available at hardware or home improvement retailers. When selecting 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 ability to measure up to 300 pounds per square inch (psi).

An Easy Guide to Testing Water Pressure

With a pressure gauge at the ready, you’re set to test the water pressure. Just take these steps:

1. Preparation: First, make sure that all water outlets in your home are shut off. This consists of faucets, showerheads, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerator ice makers and sprinkler systems. Any water consumption during testing may influence 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 comes from a municipal source, connect it to the faucet nearest to the water meter to ensure the most accurate reading. For homes with a well system, affix it to a hose bib in the vicinity of the well’s pressure tank.

3. Determine the pressure: Tighten the gauge by hand and open the faucet to the max. Now, check the readout to determine the pressure. An ideal reading varies from 45 to 55 psi. If your reading is lower than 40 psi or above 80 psi, it’s time to seek assistance.

Addressing Water Pressure Problems

Here are things you can do to fix high or low water pressure:

• High pressure: Set up a water pressure regulator on your water main. This device keeps the pressure at a maximum flow of 75 psi. Even if you already have a regulator, it’s wise to check the pressure routinely, as regulators can fail without showing any signs.
• Low pressure: To begin with, examine any pre-existing pressure regulators, which should be set to around 50 psi. Adjusting the screw on top should strengthen the flow. If a pressure regulator isn’t the culprit, the problem could be with the municipal water provider. In this situation, installing a water pressure booster may increase the flow.
• Normal pressure: If your pressure falls in the ideal range, no more action is necessary. Just remember to test your water pressure regularly to ensure it stays within this range.

When to Seek Professional Help for Water Pressure Problems in Edmonton

If you’re uncertain about testing the water pressure yourself, or if you’ve identified an issue that calls for professional evaluation, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Our experienced plumbers can help you test your water pressure, diagnose issues and ensure no fixtures have been damaged by high pressure. We can also assist with installing a pressure regulator or booster if the situation requires. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rely on us to make the proper adjustments the first time around. The next time you have water pressure problems or other plumbing difficulties in Edmonton, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment. We’re here for you!