Normal well water pressure should fall between 40 and 60 psi, so if your pressure is outside the normal range, adjust the pressure switch.
Most well tanks come set at 30/50. The cut-on pressure for the well pump is 30 psi, so the pressure of the tank should have a pressure of 28 psi. If your well tank is on a 40/60 pressure switch, your pressure setting should be 38 psi.
Any lower than 40PSI and some shower heads won't operate very well. Any higher than 60PSI -70PSI and you'll have to be careful not to burst any pipes that aren't rated for high pressure.
30/50 and 40/60 are standard presets. There is no actual difference between them you can adjust a 30/50 to 40/60 and vice versa. Submersible pumps can usually always make a 60 psi. Jet pumps can be more limited.
Ideal water pressure for homes is 50-70 psi, 60 is the sweet spot. Low water pressure can be caused by clogged pipes, leaks or closed shut off valves, high pressure can damage your plumbing and appliances.
Anything over 80 psi is considered too high and could damage your plumbing system. On the other end of the spectrum, anything below 40 psi is considered low pressure, and anything below 30 psi is considered too low.
The ideal well water pressure is between 40-60 psi. If you're uncertain whether your water pressure falls within this range, learn how to test your water pressure. It's a good skill to learn. Checking your water pressure a few times a year can help you detect problems before they get worse.
A 20 PSI differential is standard and recommended. You can adjust the differential by turning the short adjusting nut on the pressure switch clockwise to increase or counter-clockwise to decrease the differential, it's seldom required and pre-set at 20 lbs.
Ideal Pressure for Your Well Tank
Most pressure tanks have three settings: 30/50, 40/60, and 50/70. The larger your tank, the higher the pressure will be. You can find out what pressure yours is set to by checking the manual of your tank. If your tank is set to a pressure outside of these three settings, be cautious.
Check your progress- Depending on the setting of your pressure switch, you will want to fill the pressure tank or bladder with either 28 PSI or 38 PSI. Check the progress of the recharge, as overinflating a well pressure tank's bladder could cause damage.
Your well pump keeps water flowing smoothly through your home. But if you're experiencing a weak shower or a spitting tap, your well pump pressure may not be on the right setting. Most well pump pressure tanks should be set to 40/60 psi.
While 50 to 70 pounds per square inch (psi) is the ideal range, most plumbing fixtures are designed to work with water pressure up to 75 psi. Anything higher than this can damage your pipes and fixtures.
The Water Well Board suggests that a minimum water supply capacity for domestic internal household use should be at least 600 gallons of water within a two-hour period once each day. This is equivalent to a flow rate of 5 gallons per minute (gpm) for two hours.
However, as a rough guide, you should set your water pressure to be between 40-60 PSI (pounds per square inch).
How High Is Too High? 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.
The average lifespan of a well pump is 15-25 years, and you will typically start to notice more issues with your pump as it ages like an increase in repairs, changes in water pressure or increasing utility costs. At a point, the cost of replacement will outweigh repairing your well pump.
Typical Depth of a Water Well
The typical depth of a residential well ranges from 100 feet to 800 feet deep. Some wells are even 1,000 feet or deeper. The deeper a well is, generally the better the water quality.
For a single level home or a two story home without water fixtures on the 2nd floor a 30/50 PSI setting may be sufficient. For two or more levels with water fixtures on more than one level you may want to use 40/60 PSI setting. It's easier for a pump to supply the lower pressures and it's less strain on old plumbing.
The ideal well water pressure for a home falls between 40 and 60 psi. Usually, 55 psi is a good level of pressure to maintain, but the ideal value varies and generally falls within 40 to 60 psi.
You can increase water pressure from your home's well by adjusting the pump's pressure switch to a higher psi — but be careful not to turn it too high. Increasing your well pump's pressure beyond 60 psi can potentially cause broken pipes and switch failure.
Water Pressure Readings
Normal water pressure is generally between 40 and 60 PSI. Most homeowners prefer something right in the middle around 50 PSI. Once you measure the water pressure in your house, you can adjust it to a setting that is ideal for all family members and household uses.
The average cost to replace a well pump is $1,889, but most spend between $974 to $2,813 depending on the pump size you need.
Comparing Performance & Efficiency
A constant pressure system offers more water pressure stability, and this system is typically more energy-efficient, as it uses a “soft-start” process, which uses less electricity. Treating your water can also improve your system's energy efficiency and lower monthly costs.