Normal water pressure range
In general, residential water pressure ranges between 45-80 psi (pounds per square inch). If your water pressure is under 40 psi, it's considered low.
Step 1: Get a 1-2 litre jug and a timer (you can usually find one on most smartphones). Step 2: Set the timer to 6 seconds and run your water on full into the jug, stopping it when the 6 seconds is up. Step 3: Now multiply the volume of water in litres (eg 0.9 litres) by 10.
The ideal water pressure level is between 50-70 PSI.
If your water pressure goes above 70 PSI (even occasionally), you should install a pressure regulator to your main water line.
Pressures above 80 psi are too high. Whereas low water pressure is more of a nuisance than a serious problem (some fixtures, like washing machines, have minimum pressure requirements), high water pressure carries with it a significantly increased risk of damage to pipes, joints, fixtures and seals.
If your water pressure is low, water will flow slowly and take longer to fill up a sink or a bath, especially in an upstairs bathroom. If the water pressure is higher, it will fill up much quicker and your shower will be more powerful.
Find the spigot closest to your source of water. Make sure all the taps and other water uses are turned off in your house. Now turn on the spigot and see how long it takes to fill the bucket. Dividing the number 60 by the time to fill the bucket will give you the gallons per minute number.
Most residential plumbing systems are designed to handle 40 to 60 PSI of pressure, with 80 PSI being the typical maximum and anything over 100 PSI being possibly detrimental to plumbing components.
The Mechanics of Flushing
The standard toilet relies on gravity and water pressure from the tank to flush away the water in the bowl. Unfortunately, this pressure can weaken with natural wear and tear. If your toilet lacks sufficient water pressure when flushing, you've come to the right place!
It's important to maintain your home's water pressure within an acceptable range. The ideal water pressure ranges between 40 and 80 pounds per square inch, with the recommended home water pressure at 60 psi.
A water pressure regulator, if you have one, is usually located where the main water line comes into the house and after the main shut off valve. This way if you need to work on or change the water pressure regulator you can simply shut off the water main to do so.
Banging or Clanging Noises in Pipes
This is a sign that the pressure in your pipes is already extremely high, and the shuddering is your pipes adapting to the pressure increasing when you turn off the water. This also means that you could find yourself dealing with plumbing leaks within a short period of time.
No, and in some cases, you may not need one. Certain municipal supplies regulate their water pressure safely, but if that pressure runs above 80 psi, you'll want to protect your plumbing system by installing one.
For residential pressure regulators, there is usually a single screw with a nut on the front of the unit. Just loosen the nut, then adjust the screw to the desired pressure then tighten the screw.