High water pressure is too damaging to ignore. If you notice any of the signs we've discussed, such as clanging pipes, constantly running toilets, unusually high water bills, noisy appliances, or scarce hot water, it's time to investigate.
The most accurate method is to buy a pressure gauge from your local hardware store and hook it up to a hose faucet. Check the pressure when all other faucets and water-using appliances are turned off to get a baseline reading. In general, you want the household plumbing to provide between 30 and 80 psi.
The ideal range of normal water pressure for a house is between 30 psi (pounds per square inch) and 80 psi. Anything over 80 psi is considered too high and could damage your plumbing system.
Noticeably high pressure. This is the easiest to spot, although if you're used to the high pressure, you may not think about it. If water pelts you when you are taking a shower or it feels like a mini-explosion every time you turn on a faucet, you probably have high pressure. Loud banging in the pipes.
If your pressure is higher or lower, then you'll need to install, repair, or adjust your pressure regulator to comply. Adjusting your regulator is easy, as long as it's working properly. Simply tighten the screw down clockwise to increase pressure and counter-clockwise to decrease pressure.
Water systems which operate at 1.0 bar pressure (10 m of drop) or greater are considered high pressure systems. Those with a pressure less than 1.0 bar are considered low pressure. When you're ready to choose a tap or shower, you'll find the water pressure it's suitable for will be clearly labelled.
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.
Constant exposure to high-pressure water can dry out your scalp, leading to irritation and inflammation. This kind of environment is not conducive to healthy hair growth. The scalp may become dry and flaky, leading to conditions such as dandruff.
Identifying Low Water Pressure Problems
Confirm whether your water pressure is low with a test gauge. This simple device can attach directly to the hose spigot outside the home. After screwing the test gauge onto the spigot, turn the valve on and check the reading. Most homes operate between 30 and 80 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.
Normal water pressure range
If your water pressure is under 40 psi, it's considered low. A psi between 20-30 is considered very low, and under the minimum water pressure required by most building codes. On the other side of the spectrum, water pressure above 80 psi is considered too high.
High pressure is unlikely to be dangerous, even if it's a lot higher, as your system should have a pressure relief valve that will trigger. However, you should not rely on this to prevent overpressurisation. First, it'll be inefficient, and second, it could be dangerous if the relief valve is faulty or jammed.
The easiest way to identify if your water is high pressure is by simple observation – if it seems like water is coming out of your sink at excessive (or higher than normal) pressure, it's worth checking into. Another potential indicator is if you hear banging somewhere in your pipes (also known as a water hammer).
The regulator will have a screw or bolt and a locking nut system. Loosen the locking nut with a wrench and using quarter-turn increments, use a screwdriver to turn the screw counter-clockwise (to the left) to decrease water pressure, and clockwise (to the right) to increase water pressure.
Measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), the water pressure inside a house is usually anywhere from 30 to 80 PSI. If you're wondering if your water pressure is on the high or low side, you can measure it with a water pressure gauge. Optimum water pressure is between 60 to 70 PSI.
It is not necessary to turn off the water supply to adjust a pressure regulator.
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.
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.
A high pressure system has higher pressure at its center than the areas around it. Winds blow away from high pressure. Swirling in the opposite direction from a low pressure system, the winds of a high pressure system rotate clockwise north of the equator and counterclockwise south of the equator.