Top 5 Tips for Testing Mains Water Pressure
It isn't something most people are likely to think about, but having your mains water flowing into your house at the correct pressure is vitally important for all kinds of reasons.
Your appliances, such as washing machine, bathroom shower and dishwasher, are all designed to operate within certain pressure limits. If the mains water pressure is too low, your appliances will run inefficiently, or even not at all as they may require a minimum pressure in order to operate, but they most likely will not sustain any damage.
On the other hand, if the water pressure is too high, serious damage to your appliances can be the result. Probably the worst situation is where your mains water pressure fluctuates wildly at different times, creating constant uncertainty. Here are the top 5 tips for testing mains water pressure.
1 – Find out what the "static water pressure" is in your area
You will need to call your water supplier and ask them what the static water pressure is in your area. There are 25 water suppliers that cover the whole of theUK. Your area will be covered by one of them. They are, in alphabetical order:
- Anglian Water
- Bournemouthand West Hampshire Water
- BristolWater
- CambridgeWater
- Cholderton & District Water
- DeeValley
- Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water)
- Essex andSuffolkWater
- Folkestone andDoverWater
- Mid Kent Water
- Northumbrian Water
- PortsmouthWater
- Scottish Water
- SevernTrent Water
- South Staffordshire Water
- South East Water
- South West Water
- Southern Water
- Sutton andEast SurreyWater
- Tendring Hundred Water
- ThamesWater
- Three Valleys Water
- United Utilities Water
- WessexWater
- YorkshireWater
The static water pressure quoted by your water supplier will probably be within the range of 2.75 bar and 4.10 bar. This is the water pressure as it arrives at your house, but not while it is flowing.
The dynamic pressure is a measure of water flow pressure. It will be lower than the static pressure. An acceptable dynamic pressure for your mains water should be in excess of 1 bar at least and probably not more than around 3 bar.
2 – Purchase a water pressure gauge
This is an inexpensive item that will measure the static mains water pressure coming into your house. It will have a clock face gauge with a metal attachment leading to a screw-on connector that can attach to a water spigot, usually through a ¾ inch BSP thread fitting. It provides a quick and easy way to measure your static mains water pressure.
3 – Measure your static mains water pressure
If you have an outside water spigot that you normally use to attach a water hose for your garden, this is an ideal place to test your mains water pressure. The water pressure gauge will connect directly to the water spigot.
You can also attach the water pressure gauge to the cold water spigot of your washing machine if you prefer, usually marked as blue, while the hot water spigot is usually marked as red. However, it is usually easier to use your outside garden water spigot if you have one.
With the tap turned off, and the water hose removed, attach the water pressure gauge, making sure you have a tight seal with no leakage. Ensure that none of your household appliances are in use, and that all kitchen and bathroom taps are off.
With no water flowing anywhere in the house, turn on the outside water hose tap that now has the water pressure gauge attached to it. The dial will move according the water pressure to tell you the pressure reading. Check that it is within the static water pressure range quoted by your water supplier.
4 – If the water pressure is too high
If you find that the mains water pressure reading is above the acceptable pressure limits provided by your water supplier, it could mean that the water pressure regulator, if fitted, is not working.
A water pressure regulator is normally fitted to the incoming mains water pipe at the point of entry to the house, and in areas of colder climate, such as in theUK, it is usually fitted inside the house.
The water pressure regulator is a valve designed to reduce the water pressure that enters your house. It will maintain your mains water pressure at an acceptable and constant pressure, all other things being equal.
If your water pressure tests too high, and if your house does not have a water pressure regulator fitted, it may be a good idea to fit one.
If the water pressure regulator stops working, for whatever reason, then the static water pressure within the house will most likely become too high. The solution is to fit another water pressure regulator and test the system to ensure everything is working properly.
5 – If the water pressure is too low
If you find that the mains water pressure reading is below the acceptable pressure limits provided by your water supplier, you may need to fit a water pressure booster system.
There are a number of such systems on the market, and what they basically do is provide you with an isolated water reservoir and pumping system that is independent from the mains water supply. This will ensure that you have a constant and acceptable static water pressure and dynamic water pressure, in your house at all times.
Factors that can affect your mains water pressure
At peak usage times, typically in the morning and at lunchtime, you may experience a lowered water pressure due to the high demand from everyone living in your area. While this may be annoying, it is something you can adjust to, knowing that the water pressure will become normal again during quieter times of low demand.
Leakage in your area is another matter. This is when the pipes delivering water to your area are damaged or just old and worn and they start to leak water. If the situation is not dealt with, a reduced water pressure will be experienced by everyone in the area at all times, becoming worse at peak demand times.