How To Measure Water Pressure: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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1 Turn off all running water in your house. If you keep a faucet or shower running while you measure your water pressure, it will give you a false reading. Make sure that there are no running faucets, toilets, or showers while you measure water pressure.
- Tell people that you're living with to refrain from using water while you test the pressure.
2 Locate the main water supply. The main water supply is a metal or plastic pipe that pumps water into the house. There should be a large water meter attached to it that measures the amount of water that you use. The main water supply can usually be found in the garage, basement, or near your hot water heater.[2] X Research source
- In warmer climates, the main water supply is sometimes located on the exterior of the house. Look for a pipe that goes from the ground to a spigot and then into the house. It may also be in a covered box near the street.
- If you have a home with a basement or crawlspace, the main water supply can usually be found inside on the front facing wall of the house.
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3 Attach a pressure gauge to the spigot near the main water supply. Once you locate the main water supply, there should be a threaded spigot that runs off the main pipe. This spigot has a valve or a lever next to it. Screw the end of the pressure gauge to the threaded side by fitting it over the threads and turning it in a clockwise motion.
- Take readings from the closest water spigot, the furthest spigot, and from a washing machine connection. If there are major differences, it could indicate a leak or other plumbing problem.
- You can purchase a water pressure gauge at home improvement stores or online. Make sure it has a female garden hose connector.
- If you are testing the pressure for an irrigation system, attach the gauge to the spigot that feeds into the irrigation system.
4 Twist the valve next to the spigot counterclockwise. This will allow water to flow through the spigot and will give you a reading on your pressure gauge.
5 Read the measurement on the gauge. The needle on the gauge should move to a number that represents your water pressure in pounds per square inch or PSI. Write this number down on a piece of paper.
6 Unscrew the gauge after you get your reading. Once you take the reading, turn off the valve and unscrew the gauge. Make sure that the spigot is off when unscrewing the gauge or else water will come pouring out of it.
- The average house should have around 40 to 70 psi. If the pressure is much higher or lower than that, you know that you have a problem.
- You can do more than one reading to make sure that the water pressure is what it's supposed to be.
7 Attach the pressure gauge to a faucet on the first floor instead. If you can’t find your main water supply, you can also test the pressure on a different faucet or spigot. Attach the gauge to a faucet on the first floor of the house.
- Pressure is reduced as it travels through your pipes and the reading will be less accurate than if you tested the spigot that's closest to your main water supply.