There are a variety of different issues that can impact your plumbing and cause your water pressure to be too high or too low. If you’re having any problems with your water pressure, the first step is to test to see how high or low it is. Let’s take a closer look at how water pressure is tested and also the different issues that can affect your home’s water pressure.
How Water Pressure Is Tested
Most homes have a pressure-reducing valve and pressure gauge located in either the basement or crawl space where the water supply enters the home. If you do have one of these valves, you can simply look at the reading on the gauge to determine how many pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure you have.
The other option for measuring water pressure is to use a water pressure test gauge. These gauges have threaded fittings and can be screwed onto any outdoor hose bib. Before using the test gauge, it is important that all faucets and plumbing fixtures are shut off and that neither the dishwasher nor the washing machine is running. If there is any water running inside or outside the building, the test gauge won’t be able to get an accurate reading.
After attaching the test gauge, the next step is to turn the handle on the hose bib as far as it will go so that it is fully open. Again, if the hose bib isn’t fully open, the reading on the test gauge won’t be accurate. Once the water is on full blast, the last step is to read the gauge to see what the pressure level is.
Water pressure test gauges can be found at most home improvement stores. However, if you suspect that you have low water pressure, it is always better to hire a professional plumber to test your water pressure for you. Even though you can test the pressure on your own, there is really no way for you to know what is causing your water pressure to be low. By hiring a plumber, you can quickly get to the bottom of the issue and determine the best way to increase your water pressure.
What Is Considered Normal Water Pressure?
Your water pressure should always be somewhere between 40 and 60 psi. Anything below 40 psi is considered too low and can prevent your dishwasher and washing machine from cleaning properly. It also typically means that you won’t have enough water for a decent shower. If the pressure is above 60 psi, it has the potential to damage your pipes and your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
Measuring Water Flow Rate
Water pressure and flow rate are directly related. When the pressure is low, it results in fewer gallons of water flowing per minute.
Flow rate is something you can easily measure yourself using a one-gallon bucket. All you need to do is turn the water on as high as it will go and then measure how many seconds it takes to fill up your bucket. Divide the number of seconds it took to fill it into 60 to determine how many gallons per minute the flow rate is.
Ideally, your flow rate should be at least five or six gallons per minute. If the flow rate is less than this, you often won’t ever be able to use more than one plumbing fixture or appliance at a time. You may have enough water to shower normally, but the water pressure could suddenly drop even if someone just flushes a toilet or washes their hands. With a low flow rate, you definitely won’t be able to run the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time or shower when one of these units is running.
Taking a shower typically uses somewhere between one and a half and three gallons per minute while bathroom and kitchen faucets typically use between two and three gallons a minute. Dishwashers can use anywhere from two to four gallons per minute, and washing machines can use up to five gallons a minute. If your home has low-flow toilets, these typically use around 1.6 gallons per minute, while older toilets often use up to 3.5 gallons per minute.
What Can Cause Water Pressure Issues?
Low water pressure is a much more common problem than high pressure. If your water pressure is too high, it can mean that either the pressure-reducing valve has failed or that it is not set correctly. While newer homes almost always have one of these valves, you may not have one if you live in an older home with original plumbing. In this case, you will need to have one installed to decrease the pressure and prevent it from potentially damaging your pipes and plumbing fixtures.
A faulty or broken pressure-reducing valve can also lead to issues with low water pressure. This is always one of the first things that a plumber will check when inspecting water pressure issues. In some cases, the valve simply needs to be adjusted to raise the pressure. If the valve is faulty or broken, it will need to be replaced.
Another common cause of low pressure is that the main water shut-off valve isn’t fully open. If the valve isn’t fully open, less water will flow into your home and your pressure and flow rate will be reduced. This is something you can easily check on your own.
Most newer plumbing systems use a ball valve. This has a straight handle that should be perfectly in line with the pipe when fully open. If your plumbing is older, it may instead use a gate valve that has a round handle just like your outdoor hose bibs. To check if a gate valve is open, simply turn the handle counter-clockwise until you meet resistance.
There is also another shut-off valve somewhere near your property line that is used whenever the municipal water supply needs to be turned off. If you suspect that this valve is not open, you will need to have the city or the water provider check it for you as they are the only ones who can access it.
Low water pressure is a common issue in places with hard water. Hard water has a much higher concentration of dissolved minerals. These minerals can solidify inside your water lines and begin to reduce the amount of water that can flow through the pipe. Unfortunately, this problem typically means that you will need to have your water lines replaced.
If none of these issues are causing your water pressure to be too low, it may simply be that the municipal water pressure isn’t sufficient. In this case, you can install a water pressure pump where the water supply enters the house. This type of electric pump uses a special type of impeller that works to increase the pressure before the water flows through the rest of your home.
Tampa’s Home Service Experts
If you’re experiencing any water pressure issues, the team at Dream Team Home Services can test your water pressure and inspect your plumbing to determine the cause of the problem. Our licensed plumbers specialize in plumbing repairs and installation as well as drain cleaning, trenchless sewer repair, and water heater services. We also have certified HVAC technicians who specialize in heating, cooling, and indoor air quality installation, repair, and maintenance. We can help with electrical repairs and installation, rewiring, electrical panels, and home generators as well. Give us a call today if you need any plumbing, electrical, or HVAC service in the Tampa area.