Check Your Home's Water Pressure With These Steps
You might not think much about the water pressure in your home, but it's a good idea to know how to check it. While some people get aggravated about low water pressure, especially when they're trying to enjoy a shower, high water pressure can also be a concern. When the water pressure is consistently too high, there's a risk that it can wear out your plumbing fixtures and eventually lead to a leak. Conversely, extremely low water pressure can be a sign that there is already a leak somewhere in the home. Checking your water pressure is a simple task that requires minimal tools; if you get a concerning result, you can then call a plumber.
Tools
Visit a home supply store that has a plumbing aisle and buy a water pressure test gauge. These gauges are available in several styles, but commonly consistent of a circular gauge and a brass connector. A secondary tool that you'll occasionally need is an adjustable wrench, so it's good to have one on hand.
Connecting The Test Gauge
Hooking up the test gauge to your home's plumbing network is simple. Go outside to where the garden hose connects to an exterior tap. Unscrew the garden hose and set it aside, and then screw the test gauge securely onto the tap. If you have trouble getting the gauge screwed onto the tap securely, set the adjustable wrench to the correct size and tighten the gauge.
Testing The Water Pressure
Testing the water pressure is simple — just turn the tap on fully and consult the reading on your test gauge. You want to see a reading between 40 pounds per square inch of pressure and 45 pounds per square inch of pressure. However, it's possible that the reading will be higher or lower than this guideline. If it's significantly higher or lower, it's a good idea to call your local plumber and relay this information. Depending on the number, the plumber will either tell you that your pressure isn't a concern or that he or she should visit to install a pressure regulator.
Completing The Job
Wrap up the job by unscrewing the pressure gauge from the outdoor tap and reattaching the hose. Keep the pressure gauge in a secure location; placing it somewhere where it can get jostled, such as a toolbox, risks damaging the gauge so that you won't get an accurate reading during future tests. To learn more, speak with a business like Rapid Rooter.