Getting a Water Pressure Boost

Is one of your home plumbing problems the lack of water pressure? Did replacing your pipes fail to correct the problem? There are actually many possible reasons why you have low water pressure in your home. But before we go to that, it is important to point out that too much is just as bad as too little when it comes to water pressure. Normally, the ideal water pressure in your home would be anywhere from 50 to 60 psi and anything over 80 psi would be disastrous. So let’s take a look at how we can get that much needed water pressure boost.

Potential Problems

There are a number of reasons why you have low water pressure, and one of the leading causes would be clogged pipes. But if you are in a new home or have just replaced the pipes, the next possible reason is to check the shutoff valves, especially the one nearest to your water meter. Make sure that it is fully open and working properly.

What else can you do to isolate the problem? Take a reading of the water pressure going into your home and make sure that it is within the ideal limits. You can buy a pressure gauge at any home center. Simply connect it to an outside faucet and turn on the water. This gives you an instant reading of the actual water pressure. Anything that is less than 40 psi is considered low.

What can you do to increase the water pressure? Short of asking the city to boost the pressure, which would probably be unlikely since it will affect everyone and not just you, you can buy a $300 pressure booster system at majority home centers. Before you install one though, you need to be aware of the plumbing code in your municipality. It is important to note that although you may think that it is easy to install, you will need to get a licensed plumber to do the job and requires the appropriate permits. This is also a great time to have your home plumbing system thoroughly checked.

Pressure Reducing Valves

Another thing that you need to carefully consider would be a pressure reducing valve. If you have one of these installed, it is quite possible that it is not properly set, which results in lowered water pressure in your home. Normally, these valves are preset at the factory to control the water pressure at 50psi.

If the pressure reducing valve is quite old, like 10 to 20 years old, then you have to consider replacing it instead of just adjusting its screw. A new pressure reducing valve is normally sold from $35 to $120 depending on the brand and type. Installation is likewise quite straightforward so you should have very little concern in this area. You may also ask to have one specially made for your home.

Boosting Water Pressure

When the city cannot increase the water pressure or your home plumbing pipes are at least ¾-inch in diameter and made from either plastic or copper, you will need a water pressure booster. Just to make it clear, we are talking about the pipe that is coming into your home.

This pipe is responsible for carrying water from the street. The booster will increase the pressure using an electric pump paired with a pressure tank. The dial located at the top of the booster will adjust the pressure settings. The ideal is to put it at 45 to 55 psi. The tank will be able to hold the reserved pressurized water pressure so that the water pressure is boosted every time you turn on a plumbing fixture. The boosted water pressure will improve the overall flow of water in your home especially at times when the demand is high.

To get more solutions for your water pressure problems, ask Escondido Plumbing for help.