Few things are more frustrating than stepping into a low-water-pressure shower first thing in the morning. You turn the handle expecting a comfortable, warm shower at just the proper pressure, but you get disappointment instead. The correct water pressure isn’t just about a frustrating bathing experience. When your shower pressure is off, it can actually damage the plumbing system in your shower and other fixtures.

But how do you know if your shower pressure is correct? What is the correct water pressure? How can you test your water pressure at home?

At J.W. Freeman Plumbing, we have the answer you need. We’ve created this handy guide to walk you through the step-by-step process of checking your water pressure at home.

Although most people think only low water pressure is a problem, high water pressure can also cause significant damage to your plumbing system. Low water pressure can be frustrating, but high water pressure can be dangerous. Both are problematic. That’s why performing an at-home water pressure test is integral to home maintenance. Plus, water pressure tests can be reasonably simple!

Striking the balance between low and high water pressure is important for your plumbing systems. Ideal water pressure should allow a flow rate of about 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) from a standard shower head. A flow rate between 2.5 and 4 gallons per minute is generally acceptable. If your flow rate is below 2 GPM, your water pressure may be too low. If it’s higher than 4 GPM, your pressure may be too high. In either case, you may need to adjust your home’s water pressure.

There are a few simple at-home methods to test your water pressure. For the first mode, you’ll need the following equipment:

• A 1-gallon pitcher to measure your water volume. 
• Stopwatch or app to keep time.
• A calculator (if required). 

Now that you have your testing instruments, it’s time to perform your at-home water pressure test.

Before you begin, turn off all taps inside and outside the house. Doing this will give you more accurate test results. Once you’re ready, perform the test by taking the following steps:

1. 1. Place your empty 1-gallon pitcher under your shower tap.
   2. Start your stopwatch and simultaneously turn the shower tap on as high as it goes.
   3. Watch how long it takes for the pitcher to fill.
   4. If it takes longer than 24 seconds to fill the tank to 1 gallon, your water pressure is low.
   5. Use your calculator to determine your exact water pressure. Divide 60 by the number of seconds it takes to fill one gallon of water. For example, if it takes 30 seconds to fill one gallon of water, 60/30 = 2 gallons per minute. Remember, the ideal water pressure is between 2.5 and 4 gallons per minute.

Testing for low water pressure is that simple. The tricky part is calculating when your water pressure is too high.

Testing for high water pressure at home requires a pressure gauge that can be connected to your outside faucet. However, they can be found at most hardware stores, so it’s easy for you to keep one around just in case.

Once you’ve procured your water pressure gauge, take the following steps to perform an at-home high water pressure test:

1. 1. Check all taps indoors and outdoors to ensure they are in the off position.
   2. Attach your water pressure gauge to your outside faucet (a hose faucet will do).
   3. Turn your outdoor tap on full.
   4. Check your pressure gauge and note the PSI. For ideal pressure, the needle should be between 40 and 60.

If your water pressure is above where it should be, it will need to be corrected ASAP.

Still need help? No worries, we have you covered! Contact our team for water pressure services today!