Adequate water pressure allows you to access water for essential purposes–drinking, washing, and bathing. As an essential need, homes have to have a good plumbing system to keep the water flowing. This means having the right combination of proper water pressure and water flow rate. You can also check smartmeasurement.com to determine what kind of flow meter you need for your home.
For reference, an ideal home water pressure should be a least 60 pounds per square inch (psi). Your water flow rate, meanwhile, refers to the water volume delivered at a certain amount of time. It’s calculated and expressed in gallons per minute (GPM).
If you have a low water pressure issue, follow these suggestions to increase the water flow rate:
Boosting Water Pressure
Contact Your Neighbors
The water system in your community is also subject to wear and tear. And, if the whole block is having water pressure problems, this may mean that you need to address the problem with your housing association or the municipal water agency. In these times, popular tanks for water storage are extremely useful.
If your neighbors don’t have water flow and water pressure problems, it’s probably an isolated case. Check your home’s main water valve and make sure that it’s fully open. Sometimes, your contractors may need to turn the valve off or halfway to complete some maintenance or repair work. A valve that’s not fully opened will restrict the flow rate and interfere with the water pressure.
Check The Water Pressure and Flow
Before knowing how to address the problem, check the water flow and pressure first. To measure water flow, open the tap, place a container, and determine the amount of time it takes to be filled. Take the container capacity, divide it by fill time, and multiply by 60. For instance, if a 10-liter bucket took 10 seconds to fill, your flow rate is 60 liters per minute.
To test water pressure at home, you need to have a test gauge. Screw the device to your faucet and turn the tap on. The psi level should show anywhere from 50 to 70 psi. If you don’t have a water gauge, contact a plumber to do it. The plumber should be able to help you with it.
Call A Plumber
Speaking of contacting a plumber, you’d probably need professional help in checking for leaks in your pipes and waterways. If you want to do it yourself, turn off the main water valve and check the meter. It should be at a standstill. Record the meter number. After about an hour, check whether the water meter recorded an increase in consumption. In such a case, it’s time to call your plumber.
Have your plumber check and replace the regulator, if needed. As the name implies, it can regulate the flow of water toward your fixtures. If it’s turned too low, it may lead to water pressure issues.
Get Rid of The Clogs
Sometimes, your water pressure problems may be caused by the buildup of mineral deposits, such as magnesium, calcium carbonates, and sulfates. This is true especially if you have hard water at home. The minerals can develop into a nasty buildup capable of clogging the pipes and aerators, preventing water from flowing freely.
A simple solution is to soak paper towels with vinegar and place them in the faucet or showerhead to soak. The next day, mix warm water with dishwashing liquid. Use the solution to soak the brush and scrub the drains and taps to further remove the softened mineral deposits. You may want to consider a Tyent water machine as an addition to have much healthier water in your home.
Have A Booster Pump Installed
If the problem persists, installing a booster pump may be all you need to increase your water pressure to the appropriate level.
A water system booster pump is a device that you can attach to your water system to improve both water pressure and water flow. It can be operated manually by pushing the button. A booster pump can also be set automatically to work based on the flow and pressure rates.
A booster water pump has components such as a motor, impellers, both inlet, and outlet, as well as a monitoring device for pressure and flow. The motor is in charge of supplying the impeller with enough power to facilitate the movement of water through the inlet and outlet.
Having a booster pump helps secure your water pressure at home. This means that you don’t need to sacrifice some activities due to insufficient water supply.
Final Thoughts on Water Pressure
These are some of the ways to improve water pressure in your home. Start by checking the potential source of the problem, calling your plumber to make some repairs, or setting up a water booster pump to keep your water flow going.