How to Measure Water Pressure

Pressure Gauge

When the water pressure in a house is excessively high, it can damage the building's plumbing, possibly causing leaks or broken pipes. Some buildings have pressure regulators to regulate the water pressure coming into the house. Pressure regulators can be adjusted, and they need to be changed periodically. To check the pressure in your house, you will first need to obtain a pressure gauge to measure the water pressure.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure gauge

Instructions

1. 

   Locate the main water valve coming into your home. It will have a shutoff valve, such as the one pictured in the image.

2. 

   Screw the pressure valve onto the hose bib at the main water valve (as you would screw on a hose).

3. 

   Turn the water on. It doesn't matter how hard you turn the water on to take a reading.

4. 

   Read the pressure gauge. The pressure gauge measures pounds per inch (ppi). Ideally you want it to be around 55 to 65 ppi. If your pressure reads over 70 ppi, adjust or replace your pressure regulator.

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese