How to Replace a Pressure Gauge

Water pressure forces the water to flow from your faucet.

A pressure gauge inside your home is a device commonly used to determine the amount of water pressure inside a water tank. The water pressure gauge is a very helpful tool that allows you to diagnose water tank problems. Replacing a broken or faulty water pressure gauge is a simple task that involves unscrewing the old water gauge, and replacing it with a new one.

Things You'll Need

• Water hose
• Rag
• Wrench
• Thread seal tape
• Water pressure gauge

Instructions

1. Unplug or turn off the water pump that supplies water to the water tank. Turn off the main water supply to your home. Connect a hose to the water release valve located beside the water tank. Open the water release valve and allow the water to drain into a bucket or floor drain. Continue draining until the water runs out; draining the water will remove water pressure inside the water tank, and make it safe to remove the pressure gauge.

2. Remove the old water pressure gauge by gripping the brass gauge base of the pressure gauge with a wrench and slowly turning the gauge counterclockwise. Do not hold and twist the gauge body to avoid breaking the gauge.

3. Clean any debris around the gauge mounting hole, using a rag. Wrap thread seal tape around the threaded screw at the base of the pressure gauge. Plug the new water pressure gauge into the mounting hole where the old gauge was removed, and turn the gauge clockwise with a wrench to tighten it. Avoid over-tightening the gauge.

4. Close the water release valve beside the water tank. Open the main water valve, and turn on power to the water pump. Allow the pump to fill the tank with water, and watch the water pressure gauge reading go up as the water pressure rises.

References

• InspectAPedia: Water Tank Pressure Gauges, Location, Use, Repair
• Irrigation Tutorials: Measure Your Water Pressure City Slicker Method