What should water pressure be in a house

However, did you know that high home water pressure can pose some issues? Your home most likely receives its water from a municipal water provider, and there are a number of factors that can contribute to the final water pressure that you receive. These factors include the height of the water tank or tower, as well as the size, location, and the number of homes that are connected to the water main where your water is coming from.

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. High water pressure stresses your plumbing system and makes the probability of broken pipes much higher.

The water pressure in your plumbing lines dramatically affects the life of your plumbing. Excessive water pressure at the end of the day is considered water waste that threatens your plumbing system. The power of pressure. Water pressure is measured in psi, or pounds per square inch, and represents the force at which water enters your home from the water main. Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. Several factors affect your water pressure; these can include the type of residential water service offered in your area and the elevation of your home.

Knowing the warning signs of high water pressure could save you from having more extreme issues:. These types of valves adjust your water pressure automatically. A pressure regulator is also a smart choice if your water pressure often fluctuates.

The excessive force of high water pressure can cause pipe joints to break, valves to leak, and expensive repairs. A running toilet, leaky faucet or pipes, a water heater can mess with the water pressure in your home, as well. Many plumbing problems in your home originate with water pressure issues. This may lead to low-pressure showers and toilet flushing issues on one end and damaged pipes or appliances on the other.

Checking the water pressure yourself is not difficult, and may help you to identify potential problems before they become costly. Depending upon where you live, the water pressure could vary greatly as it comes in from the municipal supply lines. This can create problems, as the psi rating may range from 20 to as high as The incoming water pressure should never be over 75 psi.

Many plumbing professionals suggest 50 psi as the ideal, which is also the default setting for most pressure regulators. Larger homes require a higher incoming pressure rating than small homes, as water will slow down slightly each time it encounters a bend in the pipes.

You may test other faucets in the home using the same method to help locate pressure issues within the home itself once you have an idea of the initial pressure rating. This is especially useful for cases where you need to have a plumber check the pipes, as it provides a much smaller area to search for the source of your pressure problem. It is relatively easy to test your plumbing for problems using a water pressure test. An alternative is to test using air, although this is generally reserved for new plumbing.

You will need an air compressor and an adaptor to connect the compressor hose to a threaded faucet. To test using air pressure, you will need to do the following:. Testing new plumbing using air is more complicated than testing existing plumbing, although it can be much more effective. You will need some test balloons and test weenies, which are inflatable devices with pressure gauges attached.

Test kits may be purchased, or you may choose to purchase the individual components from a hardware store. If a leak is suspected, you may use colored smoke or listen to the pipes for hissing sounds that may show a leak.

Alternatively, you can place a little diluted dish soap on the joints and watch for air bubbles to appear. Low pressure can be quite frustrating. Not only will it make your faucets trickle and slow down your washer, it can also lead to issues with your toilet or be an indication of a major problem.

Thankfully, low pressure is often easy to diagnose and treat without having to call for professional assistance.