Most homes have a water pressure range of 40 to 60 psi (or 580 to 870 bars). Keep your water pressure within this safe level to prevent complications. Also, we mentioned that factors like elevation, water use, and appliances like washing machines, affect pressure requirements.
Your home's water pressure typically ranges between 40 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). Water pressure below 40 psi is considered low, and water pressure above 80 psi is considered too high. Having the water pressure set too high, over 80 psi, can lead to broken water pipes and costly bills.
Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi) and is essentially the force at which the water exits the faucets. In most homes, the water pressure should fall between 30 to 80 PSI, though a more ideal range is about 40 to 60 psi.
Your house has a main water valve, usually located near the meter; the valve controls the flow of water into your home's pipes. Find the valve and check to see if it's completely open. Opening a half-shut valve is one of the quickest ways for increasing home water pressure.
Identify Your Water System
High pressure taps and showers are 1.0bar and above low pressure are usually 0.3bar and below, strangley enough there is the grey area of between 0.3bar and 1.0bar which is ignored by most manufacturers and suppliers, we will call this medium pressure for the purpose of this article.
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.
A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter.
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.
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.
If you're suddenly getting low water pressure in one area of the house… ...the supply pipes to that area may either be corroded, leaking or blocked. If all the fixtures in an entire bathroom or the entire kitchen are suddenly getting low water pressure, you can trace the issue to the plumbing pipes.
Clogged aerators and clogged cartridges are two of the most common causes of low water pressure in a sink. The aerator is the tip of the faucet that the water comes out of, while the cartridge is found underneath the sink handle and enables you to stop and start the flow of water.
Check Your Aerator
If you have especially hard water, aerators become clogged with hard water buildup, a common cause of low water pressure in kitchen fixtures. Clean your aerator for a quick and easy DIY fix. Remove the aerator from the faucet using pliers and a towel (to prevent scratching).
Water pressure is measured in psi (pounds per square inch), and the normal range in homes is 45 to 80 psi. If your water pressure dips below 40 psi, it's considered low, while water pressure higher than 80 psi is considered too high.
If the low water pressure seems restricted to a single faucet or showerhead, the problem isn't with your pipes or water supply, but with the fixture itself. If it's a sink, the most common causes are a clogged aerator or clogged cartridge.
If your home water outlets (i.e. taps and showers) can deliver over 15 litres of water per minute, this is considered good water pressure. Between 10 and 15 litres of water per minute is acceptable. Anything below this is considered poor.
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.
Place the measuring jug under the tap. Then, turn the tap on full. Time how long it will take for the jug to fill up. If it takes more than 6 seconds to fill it up, then the water pressure is low.
Most plumbing professionals recommend a PRV setting between 35 and 60 PSI . Sustained pressure that exceeds 80 psi can damage on-site plumbing systems and may affect your water fixtures.
Clogged aerator screen
Most faucets have aerators at the base or inserted inside the spout. Sediments, mineral deposits, or small debris can clog the aerator over time, which results in low water pressure.
Low Water Pressure from Faucets and Fixtures
Water pressure problems could be as simple as faulty faucets and fixtures. If you're experiencing low pressure in a specific area, check for clogging or corrosion that could be slowing water flow.