Testing home water pressure?

The water pressure in my subdivision has always been low. We moved in as the area was being developed so we just assumed that the pressure was low as houses were still going up, etc...

Well, now it's eight years later and our pressure is still poor. For example, if I have the lawn sprinkler on and flush my toilet, the sprinkler just about stops.

I'm hoping that there is a reasonably simple way that I could test the water pressure in my home. Any gauges or methods that I should be aware of?

I'm located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Reply to
Calab
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There's two parts to water flow - pressure and volume. If you have a volume problem (i.e. a half open valve somewhere, a crimped pipe, etc.) a static check of the water pressure won't reveal the problem.

I'd go to a local hardware store or plumbing supply house, buy a pressure gauge with faucet threads, then check the pressure with no water being used, and the pressure when you have another faucet open.

Reply to
Robert Neville

There have been some good suggestions, but I would start with water supplier if on a municipal supply. Ask what normal pressure is .

Reply to
Norminn

It sounds more like a partial blockage or too small of a supply line somewhere. Do you have a pressure control valve on your system? Do you have any kind of whole house water filter? How about the neighbors; do they have the same problem?

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

Your local big box store like Home Depot or Lowe's will have pressure gauges that attach to your garden hose faucet for around $10 US or so in the section with in ground sprinkler parts. They are commonly used to check the available water pressure before designing an in ground sprinkler system. Testing is the easy part, getting the water supplier to fix the problem is a lot bigger problem.

Reply to
Pete C.

Check with the nieghbor as was said do they have the same problem make sure your main shut off is fully open and as was sais check blockages . Also check your areators may be 7.5 ltrs per min flow rate ones change for 9.5

Reply to
jim

Your water co might test it for free

Reply to
ransley

Definately no pressure control valve in the system.

We did add a filter recently, but the issues were there long before. The filter really hasn't made much of a difference in pressure.

Reply to
Calab

Ah... I hadn't though to look there. Thx!

Reply to
Calab

Robert is correct on how to check.

Check it at static (no water being used) and then dynamic (water being used). If there is a significant difference, it is a volume (flow) problem on your lot (assuming the static is at least 30psi). As you state that the entire subdivision has the problem, it is almost surely low pressure being supplied by the water company.

If it is the water company, complaints to the builder, the company, and, most effective, the fire department should resolve it.

For your _personal solution_ 'booster pump' systems are available that will correct the problem for your lot. They consist of a pump and pressure tank. The system is not all that expensive especialy if you install it yourself which is not difficult..

Harry K

Reply to
Harry K

Move to Edmonton

Reply to
PV

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