How to Test Water Pressure at Home (With Instructional Video!)

Is your water pressure so low that you have to run around in your shower just to get wet? Or so high that it feels like you’ve lost a layer of skin?

Then you need to learn how to use a gauge to test water pressure at home. I’ll show you how to do that and adjust the water pressure up or down.

This is a super quick and easy project with video. But first, let’s start with some information you need to know.

What is a Water Pressure Gauge?

A pressure gauge is a simple device that measures the force of water pressure that runs through your pipes. The measurement is in pounds (of pressure) per square inch or PSI.

This is an important measurement because if water pressure is too high, your pipes can spring a leak or even burst. This would cause serious and expensive water damage to your home. If the water pressure is too low, you’ll experience an inadequate flow of water for garden hoses, showering, and even washing your hands.

There are generally two types of pressure gauges we recommend for testing the water pressure in your home:

• 1-Hand Pressure Gauge This gauge has one black hand that points to the amount of water pressure running through your home.
• 2-Hands Pressure Gauge. This gauge has one black hand and one red hand. The black hand points to the current amount of water pressure. However, because water pressure fluctuates throughout the day, the red hand tells you how high your water pressure peaked.

How Much Does a Water Pressure Gauge Cost?

Expect to pay between $10 and $30 for an accurate, reliable water pressure gauge. These gauges typically measure up to 100 or 200 PSI. For your home tests, you won’t need a gauge that measures more than 100 PSI.

You’ll also want to make sure that the threaded attachment is the correct size. A 3/4-inch connector attached to the gauge (female hose thread) will fit onto most garden hose spigots or outdoor faucets. This is a perfect size and location for testing water pressure.

However, gauges are available in larger sizes if you need them. And some can be purchased with adapters that allow you to connect the gauge to different-sized spigots.

What is a Pressure Reducing Valve?

A PRV is often referred to as a pressure reducing valve, pressure relief valve, or pressure regulating valve.

Whatever name it goes by, the PRV is a simple mechanical device that regulates the amount of water pressure that comes into your home’s pipes. For that reason, it is located near your water meter (where your water supply comes into the home, usually a basement).

This bell-shaped device is what you’ll work with if you decide to change the amount of water pressure in your home.

Instructions: How to Test Water Pressure at Home

Now that you know what a water pressure gauge and PRV are, it’s time to start testing your water pressure.

1. To get an accurate reading, make sure no one in your home is using your water supply while testing your water pressure.
2. Set you gauge’s handle (or handles) to zero and attach it to an outdoor faucet.
3. Turn on the water at the outdoor faucet and see where your black hand points.
4. You should be between 35 and 80 PSI. The safest pressure which most people seem to like is between 40 and 60, with 50 PSI being the ideal pressure.

PRO TIP: Do not have a water pressure over 80 PSI. In fact, to be safe, stick to 75 as your maximum water pressure. Any higher and you risk damaging your pipes which can lead to extensive water damage.

Instructions: How to Change Your Water Pressure

If you get a pressure reading that is not what you want, you can increase or decrease the pressure. This is done by adjusting the PRV. Here’s how you do it.

• Find the bolt or screw located at the top of the bell-shaped PRV.
• Look for the green or blue metal tag attached to the PRV. It will give you a range of the pressure it can handle (for example, between 25 and 75). Do not go over or under this range.
• To increase water pressure (use a wrench or screwdriver, depending on the model type), give the bolt or screw a 1/2 revolution clockwise turn.
• Go back to your outdoor spigot and retest the water pressure. If it is to your liking, you are done. If not, repeat the third step 1/2 clockwise revolution at a time. Test between every turn until your water pressure is to your liking.
• To decrease pressure, use the exact same method. However, you will turn the bolt or screw counterclockwise.

Final Thoughts

Although there was a lot of information to discuss, the actual process of testing your water pressure at home is quite simple and inexpensive. Even adjusting your water pressure is easy.

I encourage you to watch the video above as it might be easier to follow.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help testing or adjusting your water pressure.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.