  Water pressure regulators, or pressure reducing valves take excessive water pressure from the street and reduces it safely down below 80 psi. Many older homes do not have this component since they were built when you were lucky of you had 30 psi coming to your home. Many newer homes have water pressure regulators that have failed and need repair/replacement. Modern city growth has seen water pressures of up to 150 psi running through the water department mains, and this excessive pressure can damage pipes and components in homes. Adding a working pressure regulator will save water use and help prolong the life of pipes, faucets, and valves in your home, while saving thousands of gallons of water use each year.
HOW TO TEST WATER PRESSURE? Whether a pressure regulator is present or not, hook up a water pressure gauge to a hose bib and test the pressure. The guages can be purchased at a home center for under $10, and they will tell you your water pressure. Cheap guages give cheap readings, so allow for a 5-10 psi error. What you don’t want to see is pressure readings under 30 psi or over 80 psi.
NOTE: Water pressures from the street vary during the day as neighborhood usage increases and decreases. |
