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Step-By-Step Guide For Testing Your Home Water Pressure

admin • Jun 18, 2018

One of the moist common plumbing problems in any home is low water pressure. Most homeowners request Alexandria plumbing services to help fix water pressure problems in their houses. Low water pressure is not the only problem that is related to the pressure of you water supply. High water pressure is also a problem because it can damage your pipes, and various plumbing fixtures and appliances including faucets and water heaters.  Low water pressure on the other hand impedes water supply in your home. If you are suffering low water pressure problems in your house, then you will find faucets and showers that produce only trickles of water. High water pressure causes pipes to burst and plumbing fixtures and appliances to blow out. In other words, low water pressure limits water access in your house while high water pressure can cause flooding in your house. That is why it is very important to test the water pressure in your house from time to time. This step-by-step guide shows you how to test the pressure of water in your home.

 

Get A Pressure Gauge

You will need a pressure gauge for this test. This is a readily available and affordable piece of equipment that you can buy at your local hardware store. Choose a pressure gauge that can measure up to 300 pounds per square inch (psi). Make sure that the pressure gauge has female hose threads for affixing onto your water pipes and a rubber gasket to seal it tightly. It is advisable that you test the pressure gauge with the seller before you buy it to ensure that it is in good working condition.

 

Turn Off The Water At The Main Shutoff Valve

The next step is to turn off the water supply both inside and outside the house. Make sure that all plumbing appliances and fixtures that use water are turned off including faucets, refrigerator ice makers, sprinklers, showers, dishwashers, bathtubs, and washing machines. You should not have any water flowing anywhere in the house because this can affect the pressure readings during measurement.

 

Hook Up The Gauge

Now you should connect the pressure gauge to any plumbing fixture, such as a faucet or hose bib. Hook up the pressure gauge to a faucet or hose bib that is outdoors. If your water is supplied by a utility company, then you should hook up the pressure gauge to the faucet or hose bib that is just next to the water meter. If you use water from a well, then connect it to the fixture that is closest to the pressure tank. After connecting the pressure gauge and tightening it on the faucet or hose bib all the way. Make sure that the pressure gauge is tightly fixed.

 

Read The Pressure

Read the measurement on the pressure gauge. The recommended water pressure is 45-55 psi. You should report low water pressure problems if the reading is below 40 psi and high water pressure problems if the reading is above 80 psi. You can prevent and fix water pressure problems by installing a water pressure regulator on the main water supply line. You can adjust and set the water pressure regulator to the recommended water pressure levels to avoid low or high water pressure problems. If may be easier and safer to contact your local plumbing services company and let them test your water pressure and adjust it accordingly.

 

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