Understanding Water Pressure in a Home
Maintaining balanced water pressure is crucial for households, as low pressure affects daily activities like showers, while high pressure risks damaging pipes and fittings.
With low water pressure, households can’t enjoy refreshing showers or a constant supply of hot water. On the other hand, high water pressure can cause damage to pipes and fittings. For that reason, there should always be a balance in pressure levels.
Read on to learn more about the recommended water pressure levels in a home.
Understanding water pressure
Water pressure is a measure of the force that moves water from the main supply into a home’s pipework. It can be measured in bars, with one bar being equal to the force needed to move upto a height of 10 meters.
Pounds per square inch (psi) and meters per head are also measuring units of water pressure. Most building codes dictate the normal range of a home’s water pressure to be at 1 to 4 bars or 40-60 psi.
Checking water pressure in a home
Homeowners can easily gauge the water pressure simply by observing the flow of water from taps in kitchen sinks and bathrooms. However, the correct way to measure water pressure is by using a water pressure gauge.
Below are the steps to follow:
Purchase a calibrated, well-functioning pressure gauge from hardware stores. It’s important to check whether the gauge is compatible with the home’s plumbing system.
Turn off all water faucets in the home to get an accurate reading.
Attach the gauge to one of the taps and turn on the water fully to activate the gauge needle.
Record the reading on the gauge and turn off the tap.
Correcting high water pressure
High water pressure flows at a rate of more than 80 psi. Although most people prefer having high water pressure in their homes, it can result in burst pipes and leaks, causing costly damage.
The easiest way to reduce high water pressure is to install a pressure regulator with the help of a plumber. This way, homeowners can also adjust the water pressure as needed. However, for pressure exceeding 100 psi, owners should contact the municipal or city water company since this indicates a problem with the main water supply network.
Correcting low pressure
Low water pressure is a common issue in most homes and a cause for worry if it persists. Blocked pipes, leaks, or obstructed main valves are some of the causes of low water pressure. Fixing low pressure involves doing a thorough inspection of the plumbing system to identify any problems.
Some solutions of low pressure include:
Replacing corroded, narrow, or leaking pipes
Clearing clogs in the pipework
Replacing faulty pressure regulators
Installing booster pumps to increase water pressure
Taking control of water pressure
The correct level of water pressure in homes is not typically a priority. Nonetheless, understanding the pressure requirements goes a long way to helping maintain normal water pressure and efficient water flow. Homeowners experiencing abnormal pressure fluctuations should contact a local plumber for assistance.
911 Heating, Cooling & Plumbing provides quality residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, sink drains and sewers, slab leak detection and repair, and water heater repair and replacement services to Phoenix, AZ, residents at affordable prices. Contact us at 602-795-2900 for all your plumbing needs.
