Tips to Improve Water Pressure in Your Home
You can improve water pressure by testing your water pressure with a gauge, cleaning faucet aerators, and checking your pressure reducing valve. First, connect a pressure gauge to a hose bib to get a baseline number. Make sure no one uses water while you test. You also need to confirm if you have low pressure or low volume because the solutions differ. You can fix many pressure problems at the fixture itself. Remove the flow restrictor from a handheld shower unit to get more pressure. Unscrew and clean faucet aerators or replace the shower head. Check the tub spout diverter if the faucet runs while you shower because a bad seal there reduces pressure. Sometimes the house plumbing causes the problem. Old galvanized pipes can clog up and decrease pressure at the fixtures. A bad pressure reducing valve might let too much pressure through or restrict flow. If your city water pressure is low, you can install a booster pump with a pressure tank. One user used a shallow well pump with a 35 gallon pressure tank and said it works fantastic, though the pump makes some noise. You must be careful when adjusting a pressure reducing valve. Most homes are rated for 80 psi. If you turn the pressure up too high, you can damage your appliances and your water heater. You can use a pressure gauge on a hose bib to see if your adjustments make a difference. If you rent your home, tell your landlord about the pressure issue instead of changing house valves yourself. You should call a plumber if your pipes are old and clogged or if you need a pressure reducing valve replacement. A professional can tell you what works best for your plumbing details. A plumber can also install a booster pump safely. Start with a pressure gauge and clean your aerators because those fixes help most people fast.