Noticed a change in your water pressure? Whether your bathtub is filling more slowly than usual, your faucets feel like they're blasting water, or you just want to make sure your water pressure is normal (a great idea for any homeowner!), checking your water pressure at home is a simple process that can help detect water pressure problems in a few easy steps.
1. Purchase a Water Pressure Gauge
Even if you aren't experiencing anything abnormal with your water pressure, it's a good idea to check your water pressure once or twice a year to make sure everything is flowing correctly. To check your water pressure at home, first, you'll need a water pressure gauge. This inexpensive device can be purchased at most typical hardware and home improvement stores.
2. Shut Off All Running Water In Your Home
Before taking your reading, make sure that you don't have water running anywhere in or outside your house. This includes things like sprinklers, dishwashers, washing machines, and of course, sinks and showers. Running water during the water pressure test can cause an inaccurately low reading.
3. Attach The Pressure Gauge
Attach the pressure gauge to an outdoor faucet, such as one you might use for a garden hose. Like a garden hose, the pressure gauge should simply screw onto the faucet. Make sure to create a tight seal for the most accurate reading possible; if necessary, use pliers or a wrench to tighten the gauge until it no longer leaks.
4. Check The Water Pressure
Turn the water all the way on and take your reading. Normal water pressure for a residential home typically falls in the 40-60 psi range. However, there is some room for variance depending on your plumbing. If your water pressure is reading below 40 or above 80, it's considered outside of the normal range and most likely needs to be repaired. Low water pressure (below 40 psi) is inconvenient and may be a sign of a larger issue. High water pressure (above 80 psi) can be very damaging to plumbing, putting extra stress on your pipes and potentially causing them to blow out. If you come across an abnormal water pressure reading, give us a call at 607-777-9974 or contact us to schedule an appointment. We'll help diagnose whatever water pressure problem you're having and get to the root of the issue.
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