In some cases, your pressure regulator is set too low and reduces the water pressure too much. The factory setting on a pressure regulator is normally between 45 to 55 psi. However, you may need pressure regulation between 40 and 70 psi to have proper water pressure throughout your home.
Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80. Instead, you should aim for a psi that's between 60 and 70.
After installation, test the water pressure, and adjust the regulator, if necessary. To adjust, loosen the locknut on the adjustment screw, then turn the screw up or down until the water pressure is at the desired level, as measured by a pressure gauge attached to a threaded hose bib somewhere in the home.
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.
Some of the first signs of a failing pressure regulator are a leaking water heater or commode. The water coming from a faucet may also exit with such force that splashing or water “hammering” may occur.
Residential water pressure tends to range between 45 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). Anything below 40 psi is considered low and anything below 30 psi is considered too low; the minimum pressure required by most codes is 20 psi. Pressures above 80 psi are too high.
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.
According to statistics, water pressure above 80 psi (pounds per square inch) causes the failure of water fixtures. The most common signs are spitting or leaking faucets, especially if it's out of the cold tap.
If the municipal water or well-water flow is the problem, hire a licensed plumbing contractor to install a water-pressure booster pump. These powerful, electric pumps target incoming pressure and raise it to the proper level.
This is a serious concern—water pressure that's too high is difficult to contain, and could leak to plumbing leaks, worn seals, and damaged fixtures. It could even shorten the lifespan of your appliances that depend on a water connection like your washing machine, ice maker, dishwasher, and more.
Generally speaking, most regulator valves have a life span of between 7 and 12 years. If you have recently noticed any abrupt changes in the water pressure in your home, an internal component in your pressure regulator may have failed.
The life expectancy of a water pressure regulator is most commonly in the range of 10 to 15 years.
It means center tread wear, an uncomfortable ride, and increased risk for a blowout. Note that a few PSI over your recommended tire pressure generally won't put you in the danger zone. After all, tire pressure fluctuates with the outside temperature.
Is your water pressure too high? Most plumbing fixtures are designed to handle a maximum water pressure of 80 psi or lower. If your water pressure is higher than that, it can potentially cause the parts for your faucets, water heater, toilets, and shut-off valves to fail.
The ideal water pressure for a house will be somewhere in the range of about 45 to 65 psi. Anything higher than 80 psi can cause damage, and anything much lower than 45 psi may result in issues when you use your shower, toilet, dishwasher and other water-consuming appliances.
The maximum recommended water pressure for homes is 80 psi; any pressurization exceeding this amount will result in thousands of wasted gallons of water each month.
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. A psi between 20-30 is considered very low, and under the minimum water pressure required by most building codes.
40 psi translates to 92.3 feet of water, which won't work in a 30-foot-high water tank and isn't one of the answer choices.
Typical home water pressure should be between 40 and 50 psi, so if the dial reads less than 40 psi, you have low water pressure.
Though regulators can last for years, the degree of regulation will change over time as internal parts begin to wear. Anything with moving parts wears over time, and pressure regulators are not different.
Typically, you can expect the pressure to fall anywhere from 10% to 30% from its original setting depending on the individual application. This fall in pressure is commonly referred to as droop. The droop effect is unavoidable with any spring operated regulator, however it can be managed.
Shut off the cold water at the faucet behind the washing machine, and then disconnect the hose from the faucet. (Be careful as it will be full of water.) Screw the pressure gauge onto the faucet, and then open the faucet all the way to test the pressure.