How to Find the Pressure of Water

Find water pressure with a water pressure gauge.

It is necessary to know how to find the pressure of water, especially water flowing through household systems, in order to keep home plumbing, appliances and other water-connected systems (such as pool pumps) free from excess pressure stress, which prematurely ages these systems. Maintaining correct water pressure, which is generally considered by plumbing professionals as 45 to 65 pounds per inch (psi), also conserves water and saves money, as wasted water adds up over the course of a month to an unnecessarily inflated water bill.

Things You'll Need

• Water faucet
• Water pressure gauge

Instructions

1. Shut off everything in the home that is connected to the water system, including faucets, ice makers, swimming pool pumps and fillers and water-cooled air-conditioning systems.

2. Attach a water pressure gauge, available at any hardware store, to the faucet or spigot you want to find the water pressure of. (To find the water pressure of water flowing into the home system, connect the water pressure gauge to the outside spigot at the front of the house.)

3. Turn on the faucet and watch the gauge's needle, then note where it rests. Repeat this test twice more at varying times of day.

4. Add the three gauge results together and divide by three to obtain the average gauge reading for the three tests.

5. Call a plumber to install a water pressure regulator if the average pressure gauge reading is higher than 65 psi. Do nothing if the psi is between 45 psi and 65 psi, as this reading is normal. Call the municipal water supplier if the average pressure gauge reading is lower than 45 psi, as the water provider is the only one who can increase water pipe pressure.

References

• Yavapai County Contractor's Association: Measure Home Water Pressure
• Rosie on the House: How to Measure Water Pressure