Clean water is the center of livelihood in our society. Without a plumbing system in your home, you would be left without more than just clean water. Safe water entering your home provides you with the opportunity to cook fantastic meals, bathe, wash your clothing, cars and belongings, and take care of your children properly. But what would happen if there was a problem with your incoming water that required you to be cut off from your city's water supply for a period of time? It sounds like it could be one of the largest inconveniences of our modern society. By taking care of the plumbing in your home, you can help ensure this problem won't happen to you and your family.
One of the problems we commonly see in residential homes that can create a large headache is a broken pressure regulator valve, or one that is not fully functioning as it should. By learning how to check your pressure regulator at your main water source, you can prevent a large plumbing pitfall.
One of the problems we commonly see in residential homes that can create a large headache is a broken pressure regulator valve, or one that is not fully functioning as it should. By learning how to check your pressure regulator at your main water source, you can prevent a large plumbing pitfall.
WHY DO WE NEED PRESSURE REGULATORS
The water that you pay for from your city or municipality is required by law to meet certain standards and requirements. This means that the pressure of the water needs to be high enough to provide water to industrial plants and high-rises, fill water towers and provide hydrants with enough pressure to be able to put out a fire. Average water pressure from the city can range from 150 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 200 PSI. If water entered your home at too high of pressure, a slew of problems would arise:
INCREASED WATER WASTE AND WATER BILLS
Water pressure that is too high when running through your pipes and fixtures could have a number of negative affects. Imagine that every time you washed your hands your faucet was pumping out twice the amount of water it currently does. All your safe water goes right down the drain. And almost as importantly, you are paying for it in water charges and sewer expenses. Twice as much water pressure can mean twice the water bill and twice the utility bill from heating all your family's water.
COSTLY REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS
Faucets, toilets and appliances are manufactured to be able to handle water at a certain pressure. The higher the pressure, the more damage can be caused to the faucets, cartridges and seals (which means you dole out money for a repair or replacement plus the increased water bill). High water pressure is also hard on water softeners and water heaters' life expectancy. These appliances can also be expensive to repair or replace.
INCREASED WATER WASTE AND WATER BILLS
Water pressure that is too high when running through your pipes and fixtures could have a number of negative affects. Imagine that every time you washed your hands your faucet was pumping out twice the amount of water it currently does. All your safe water goes right down the drain. And almost as importantly, you are paying for it in water charges and sewer expenses. Twice as much water pressure can mean twice the water bill and twice the utility bill from heating all your family's water.
COSTLY REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS
Faucets, toilets and appliances are manufactured to be able to handle water at a certain pressure. The higher the pressure, the more damage can be caused to the faucets, cartridges and seals (which means you dole out money for a repair or replacement plus the increased water bill). High water pressure is also hard on water softeners and water heaters' life expectancy. These appliances can also be expensive to repair or replace.
CORRECTING HIGH PRESSURE
In cities where there is excessive pressure or there are pressure spikes, most ordinances require the installation of a pressure reducing valve. This device will not allow pressure to go higher than 70 to 80 PSI, maintaining a safe water pressure for your home. Typically a water pressure regulator is installed directly where water comes into your home from the street. Often times this is located in the basement or on the concrete slab level of the home. It is also near the main shutoff for your home's water. Most water pressure regulators are factory set around 50 PSI. Standard water pressure for a home is anywhere between 50 PSI to 80 PSI.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR HOME HAS A WATER PRESSURE ISSUE
Before even testing your water, your home may have symptoms of water pressure that is too high. Many times when there are toilets that are running or faucets that seem to constantly be dripping, we know there is a bigger culprit behind these repairs. Your water heater pressure relief valve leaking is also a way to tell there is too much pressure in your home. Another tell-tale sign is if your home's pipes rattle when irrigation is turned on and off.
HOW TO TEST YOUR WATER PRESSURE REGULATOR
Testing your water pressure regulator is a quick and easy check that all homeowners should familiarize themselves with to avoid the headache of having their main water shutoff for an extended period of time.
1. First you will need to purchase a water pressure gauge. These are often times found at your local hardware store in the sprinkler section. Or, you can order one online for around $10.00; similar to the one on the right. 2. Make sure all faucets and appliances that use water are off when you are testing your water pressure. You want your home's water pressure to be accurate when you are testing it. |
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3. Attach the water pressure gauge to your front hose bib. This is often the one that is closest to the street where your water comes in or nearest your water meter. Make sure the gauge is securely fastened. You may need to use a pliers to ensure it is not letting any water leak out.
4. Slowly turn on the water at the faucet until it is fully opened. You will see the needle on the gauge move up the dial to show you what your water pressure is on your hose bib.
Your reading should be between 50 and 80 PSI. If it is above or below that range, your water pressure regulator may be faulty or installed incorrectly. Double checking your reading never hurts either. Wait a few minutes and repeat the steps above to check the pressure.
4. Slowly turn on the water at the faucet until it is fully opened. You will see the needle on the gauge move up the dial to show you what your water pressure is on your hose bib.
Your reading should be between 50 and 80 PSI. If it is above or below that range, your water pressure regulator may be faulty or installed incorrectly. Double checking your reading never hurts either. Wait a few minutes and repeat the steps above to check the pressure.
HOW TO ADJUST YOUR PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE
If you are a do-it-yourself kind of homeowner, you can attempt to adjust the water pressure regulator yourself. If you are unsure or uncomfortable, don't hesitate to contact a local plumbing professional to safely adjust the regulator for you.
1. Make sure your home's main water is turned off. We always warn homeowners to be extra careful when turning off water at your main source. Older valves that are difficult to turn can fail or break. |
2. Once your water is turned off you can carefully adjust the pin at the top of the pressure regulator. LEFT will decrease your water pressure. RIGHT will increase your water pressure.
3. Once you have made the adjustments carefully turn on your home's water and test your water pressure again with the steps above.
If you have completed the steps above and still have issues with water pressure, we encourage you to find a trusted plumbing professional that can trouble-shoot and accurately solve your pressure problems.
3. Once you have made the adjustments carefully turn on your home's water and test your water pressure again with the steps above.
If you have completed the steps above and still have issues with water pressure, we encourage you to find a trusted plumbing professional that can trouble-shoot and accurately solve your pressure problems.
Amanda Klecker, Zell Plumbing & Heating