Testing the water pressure in your home a few times a year should always be a part of your regular plumbing maintenance. The water that comes through your home’s plumbing should be between 35 and 80 psi or pounds per square inch, but some problems may cause your water pressure to be above or below that range. Water pressure that is too low will make cleaning and using certain appliances more difficult, while water pressure that is too high could damage your plumbing.
The best way to determine if your water pressure is where it needs to be is to contact a Pittsburgh plumbing company and have a professional take a look at it, but you can still test the water pressure in your home by yourself by following these steps.
Get a Water Pressure Gauge Kit
Before you can test the water pressure in your home, you will need to buy a water pressure gauge kit. This can be found at just about any hardware store, and most of them come with adaptors to fit any residential hose bib or water outlet.
Find a Hose Bib Near Your Home’s Main Water Supply Source
The best place to check your home’s water pressure is at an outdoor hose bib, preferably one close to your home’s main water supply source. If your home’s water comes from a municipal water supply, the best hose bib will be the one closest to your water meter. If your water comes from a well, find a bib close to the well’s pressure tank.
Shut Off All Faucets and Appliances
If any of your faucets or appliances that use water are on, you won’t get an accurate reading when you test your water pressure.
Attach the Water Pressure Gauge to the Proper Hose Bib
Remove the hose from the hose bib of your choice and attach the water pressure gauge. Open the valve that the bib is attached to. Make sure to do this slowly to prevent water from flowing too quickly into the pressure gauge.
Get a Water Pressure Reading
Once the water valve to the hose bib is open, you should get a water pressure reading. Watch the needle on the gauge closely until it stops moving. Test the pressure at least twice to make sure you get the same reading each time. If you don’t, check all the faucets in your home to make sure they’re turned off.
If you find that the water pressure in your home is too low, it could be because you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing or you have a blockage in your sewer line. Just about all Contact the Pittsburgh plumbers at Mister Sewer for all your drain and sewer cleaning needs. Our plumbers use state-of-the-art technology to locate and repair any clogs in your drains to keep your home in tiptop shape. No matter what plumbing problem you’re facing, contact the pros at Mister Sewer for all your pipe and drain needs.