Fill up a glass of water and sit somewhere comfortable. We will spend a few minutes answering all your questions about water pressure. And yes, we promise to make it interesting! Have you ever wondered how water pressure works? How is it measured? Or what the ideal water pressure of your home should be? Have you ever been concerned that your home’s water pressure is too high or too low? And what in the world is PSI, anyway?
These are good questions. And we’ve got answers from the brilliant minds of some of our plumbing experts.
Quick navigation:
- What Is PSI and Why Does It Matter for Your Home’s Plumbing?
- What Is the Ideal Water Pressure for Homes?
- Signs Your Home’s Water Pressure Is Too Low
- Signs Your Water Pressure Is Too High
- How to Test Your Home’s Water Pressure
- Causes of Water Pressure Problems
- How to Fix or Regulate Water Pressure
- How Water Pressure Affects Your Plumbing System
- Schedule a Plumbing Inspection with Burgeson’s
What Is PSI and Why Does It Matter for Your Home’s Plumbing?
What is water pressure? Simply put, it’s how water is “pushed” into your home from the city’s main water line so that it’s ready to flow whenever you flip the faucet, turn on the shower, or flush the toilet.
The force pushing this water toward your home is regular ol’ gravity and pump stations working together. But it takes a lot of infrastructure and technology to ensure that gravity and these pump stations don't go too far and wreak havoc on your pipes and plumbing fixtures.
PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch, which is important because it’s the primary way we measure water pressure and the key to understanding residential water pressure and keeping your system running smoothly.
It doesn’t take fancy equipment to measure a home’s PSI. You’ll just need a water pressure gauge, a tool you can pick up at any hardware store for about $10. We recommend testing your water pressure once or twice a year to stay on top of any potential plumbing issues.
PSI plays a big role in water flow, ensuring your faucets deliver a satisfying stream without straining appliances or shortening the life of your plumbing system. Too much or too little water pressure can lead to inefficiency, higher repair costs, and wasted water—issues every Inland Empire homeowner wants to avoid.
What Is the Ideal Water Pressure for Homes?
So, what should residential water pressure be? You're in great shape if your water pressure gauge shows a PSI between 40 and 60. This is the ideal PSI range for residential piping. Even a PSI as low as 30 or as high as 75 is still acceptable, but aim for around 50 PSI as optimal for balanced performance.
Why does this matter? Too low, and everyday tasks like showering feel frustratingly sluggish; too high, and it stresses your plumbing, leading to leaks or bursts that rack up bills. Maintaining this sweet spot ensures efficient water PSI for comfort, appliance longevity, and cost savings in your Inland Empire home.
Signs Your Home’s Water Pressure Is Too Low
The most common reason for a low PSI is a partially closed water meter valve or main house shutoff valve. A failing water pressure regulator valve (or PRV) can be an issue for low water pressure as well. Other times the issue has to do with a municipal waterline break. If your water pressure drops suddenly, this is the likely culprit.
If you’re experiencing low water pressure from a particular faucet or fixture, that may not be a water pressure issue but a low water volume issue. Hard mineral deposits and limescale can cut off the water supply to these fixtures over time. If you suspect hard mineral deposits are the culprit, you can take the faucet apart and soak the pieces in a distilled vinegar solution for about 4 hours.
Watch for slow or weak flow from faucets and showers, longer run times for appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, or air in pipes causing inconsistent flow. These situations signal low residential water pressure, potentially hiking energy costs as systems overwork to compensate.
Signs Your Water Pressure Is Too High
Water coming into your home through the city’s main water line is under high pressure, often as high as 200 PSI. That’s too much pressure on your home’s pipes, appliances, and fixtures. This is where the water pressure regulator should kick in. But even a PSI of 75+ can lead to the following:
- Constant pipe and fixture leaks
- Burst pipes
- Toilets sounding very loud as they refill
- Loud bangs and rattling fixtures
- Constant repairs to appliances that rely on water
- Higher water bills
If you are experiencing any of these issues, there's a good chance your pressure-reducing valve (also known as a pressure regulator valve) isn’t working correctly. Listen for banging pipes (“water hammer”) and dripping sounds. And look for leaking faucets, burst hoses, and/or frequent leaks in appliances or at plumbing joints—these are red flags for excessive water pressure that could spell costly damage.
How to Test Your Home’s Water Pressure
Measuring residential water pressure is simple and inexpensive with a water pressure gauge from your local hardware store.
Step-by-step testing
- Ensure no appliances or fixtures are running (dishwasher, sprinklers, washing machine).
- Make sure the main shutoff valve is fully open.
- Attach the water pressure gauge to the outdoor spigot closest to your home’s main line.
- Turn the spigot on and read your PSI.
How to interpret PSI readings
- 40–60 PSI → Ideal
- 30 PSI or lower → Too low
- 75 PSI or higher → Too high; PRV may be failing or need to be installed
- 200 PSI (city main) → This needs to be reduced before entering your home
Knowing your PSI helps you determine what your residential water pressure should be for your safety, comfort, and plumbing longevity.
Causes of Water Pressure Problems
For Low Pressure:
- Clogged pipes or fixtures
- Municipal supply issues
- Faulty pressure regulator or corroded plumbing
- Valves left partially closed
For High Pressure:
- Malfunctioning pressure regulator.
- Thermal expansion in the water heater.
- PSI too high coming from municipal supply
HOW TO FIX OR REGULATE WATER PRESSURE
Resolving High Water Pressure With a Pressure-Reducing/Pressure Regulator Valve
Every home should have a Pressure-Reducing Valve (PRV) installed just beyond the mainline shutoff valve. A thermal expansion tank installed at your water heater is advised and, at times, required by city code for added safety & security.
Adjust or replace a PRV to tame high water PSI, flush pipes and clean aerators for low-flow fixes, or call an experienced plumber for inspections involving municipal lines or complex regulators. Simple tweaks can restore balance and even prevent costs incurred from potential leaks or inefficient appliances.
What are the benefits of a PRV?
- It helps conserve water. This is especially important for homes in Redlands and the Inland Empire area affected by years of drought.
- If you’re on vacation, a PRV, along with the installation of a thermal expansion tank at the water heater, ensures the pressure in your pipes does not build up while you’re away.
- A PRV combined with a thermal expansion tank keeps the pressure steady across your home’s piping infrastructure. That means your piping lasts longer and is less likely to crack, leak, or burst.
How Water Pressure Affects Your Plumbing System
High PSI can cause leaks, damage pipes, and reduce appliance lifespan, leading to frequent repairs and higher water bills. Low PSI affects efficiency and comfort, forcing longer run times that inflate energy costs.
Regular monitoring and maintenance—like annual PRV checks—preserve your system, extending its life and minimizing unexpected expenses. In drought-prone areas, optimal residential water pressure also supports conservation, tying directly to long-term savings.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection with Burgeson’s
Burgeson’s Has the Fix for All Your Water Pressure Issues
In this blog, we shared insights on water pressure, how to test it, and what tools are used to manage it. But sometimes, you just want someone to swing by your home and fix everything for you. We get that!
If you struggle with high or low water pressure, contact your friends at Burgeson’s. Our friendly and informative plumbers can diagnose and resolve your issues before you know it. Just give us a call at 909-792-2222, or request an appointment online
We look forward to hearing from you!
As local experts in the Redlands and Inland Empire area, we're available for professional water pressure testing and PRV installation to keep your water PSI just right. Explore our plumbing services or reach out today—let's ensure steady flow and peace of mind for your home.
