Water pressure shows up in many of our day-to-day activities, from washing dishes to taking a shower. While we often do not have to consider the strength of our water pressure constantly, weak pressure can become a nuisance and make daily life more difficult.
Some households may experience a gradual decrease in their water pressure, while some homeowners can experience circumstances that make their pressure drop suddenly and drastically. In either case, owners typically take measures to bring their pressure back to an average level.
Continue reading to learn more about how to test your water pressure and the steps you can take to increase it at home.
How to Test Water Pressure and Flow Rate in Your Home
If you notice weak water pressure in your home, your first step is to test the pressure. To complete this step, use a water pressure gauge, and tighten it to an outdoor faucet. If you live in an apartment building or multifamily residence where you do not have access to an outdoor faucet, you can remove the kitchen faucet and attach the pressure gauge. Then, turn the faucet on and read the gauge.
What is the average PSI for water pressure?
The pressure gauge will report a number in pounds per square inch (PSI), typically falling between 30 to 80 PSI. A home with considerable water pressure should generally read between 60 to 70 PSI. If your water pressure drops below 50 PSI, it may be time to take additional steps.
Test Your Flow Rate
You may seek confirmation to ensure your water pressure is low and to have statistics to provide to anyone you may hire to fix the pressure. Therefore, you can test your flow rate. The flow rate measures how many gallons of water your faucet emits in a minute, typically reported in units of GPM.
If you simultaneously run the washing machine, dishwasher, and outdoor sprinklers, you will experience lower water pressure when you also turn on the shower because many sources must utilize a limited amount of water. Therefore, that shower has a low flow rate. However, if you’re only using one source at a time and have a low flow rate, that is another indicator that you may need to address the water pressure.
To test your flow rate, turn off all water-emitting sources besides your test faucet, then fill up gallon-sized buckets with water for a minute and see how many gallons you fill. An ideal flow rate falls between 6 and 12 GPM. A flow rate below 6 GPM, combined with a low reading on the water pressure gauge, indicates that it may be time to take the following steps to increase water pressure in the home.
Check for Leaks
Cracks and damaged pipes can lead to leaks, which can potentially weaken the water pressure in your home. If water leaves your pipes through a leak, there is less water to push through the pipes, decreasing water flow and pressure. To investigate for leaks, look for evidence of puddles in areas under your water pipes. You can also turn on a faucet to watch for active leaking.
If you have minor leaking from small cracks, you can purchase at-home remedies to seal the pipes and increase water pressure. Some cracks may only need a bit of silicone-based tape. For larger leaks and severe cracks, reach out to a plumber to ensure they properly fix the issue.
Reach Out to the City
If you don’t have any leaks or cracks in your pipes but continue to experience low water pressure, consider contacting your local city or town department to report the water pressure and inquire about the supply system. Most properties that rely on a public system should receive water pressure of at least 30 PSI and should not experience issues related to the line. However, homeowners with a property that relies on a private line could experience pressure-related issues.
Some towns and cities may send an employee to run a water pressure test and evaluate the system to see if they can resolve the issue. The employee may report that the problem is not related to their system, in which case you will take matters into your own hands to increase the pressure.
Homeowners in NYC can either call 311 or report low water pressure online.
Adjust Your Pressure-Reducing Valve
Adjusting the pressure-reducing valve on your main water supply pipe is a quick and easy way to get a little more pressure. Valves aim to regulate water pressure but may not always work effectively. Homeowners should note that it is not always necessary to adjust the valve and that they should correspond with their local water department to determine if this is a practical solution. Unnecessarily changing the valve could cause problems down the line.
To adjust the valve, locate the conical shape near the water meter, loosen the bolt-locking nut and turn the bolt clockwise. Continue reducing the valve until you get your water pressure to 50 PSI, and then tighten everything back up. Be careful not to adjust the valve too drastically, as the water pressure above 80 PSI is dangerous for residential properties.
Consider a Water Pressure Booster
If the previous solutions are not increasing water pressure, you can purchase a water pressure booster. This small, powerful electric pump cuts into your water line to raise pressure. Typically, you will want to hire a plumber to ensure the installation process runs smoothly. Water pressure boosters cost a few hundred dollars, depending on size and style.
When installing a pump on a residential property, you should install it on the main water line where water enters the home.
Contact a plumber
While you may have previously contacted a plumber to help with the above resolutions, you can skip the above steps and simply call the plumber to investigate the situation. They can diagnose the cause of the pressure and implement a remedy to increase the pressure.
Conclusion
There are several causes of low water pressure, but they all cause a nuisance and require homeowners to address the issue head one. After testing both the water pressure and flow rate, you can follow the above steps to diagnose the reason for the lower pressure and implement various solutions. If you have difficulty finding a solution on your own, it may be time to contact a professional.
