Puzzled foamed young woman after the water in the shower was turned off, looking up at the shower. Lifestyle
Are you wondering how to increase water pressure in your home?
The normal range of water pressure for a residential application is 40 psi and 80 psi. If your water pressure seems too low, you likely noticed it’s difficult to get clean or use devices that use water. It suddenly becomes harder to take a hot shower, wash the dishes, and do laundry.
While this can be frustrating, there are a few simple tips you can follow to fix low water pressure issues. Follow this troubleshooting guide to get to the bottom of the problem.
Test Your Water Pressure
Testing your water pressure system is an easy task that any homeowner can do. All you need is a pressure gauge and to find your water supply line or well pressure tank. Too much pressure can cause damage to your plumbing pipes, while too little pressure can be frustrating.
It’s a good idea to regularly test your water pressure, even if your house has a pressure-reducing valve (PRV), as testing can spot problems with your regulator. PRVs can break down after around 10-20 years. Also, most PRVs are set to around 50 psi.
If your house is on city water, you may need to ask for a pressure reading.
Check the Shutoff Valve
Take a look at your home shutoff valve to ensure that it isn’t partially closed, as this can sometimes cause low water pressure. Shutoff valves can be in the basement, garage, crawlspace, or near the street. If you can’t seem to find it, you may need a plumber’s help.
Install a Water Pressure Booster Pump
City-delivered water supply can sometimes result in water pressure levels lower than 40 psi. If you want to increase water pressure at home, you may need a water pressure booster pump. These devices use an electric pump to increase the psi rates.
Installing the pump does require cutting into the main water line. It’s best to leave this task to a professional, as homeowners without any plumbing experience can cause serious damage.
Call a Plumber and Check the Hot Water Heater
If the cold water pressure seems fine at home, but your hot water pressure is low, check the hot water heater. Contact a plumbing company to come and take a look.
A technician will check the shutoff valve, turn off the water, and then look for other issues. The problem could be mineral and sediment buildup in the tank. A company like Around the Bend Plumbing can come and take a look at your system and help identify the cause of low water pressure.
Now You Know How to Increase Water Pressure at Home
There are many different methods of increasing water pressure as long as you know the cause of your problem. It could be buildup in the pipes or low water pressure supplied from the city water supply. You might need to install a new PRV or a water pressure booster.
If you want to know how to increase water pressure at home, call your local plumber. They can check your water pressure levels and suggest further courses of action.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our other home advice posts.
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