Too High? Too Low? Just Right!
If you are experiencing low or high water pressure, there are a few things that you can
check to see if the pressure problem is in your household pipelines.
First, check the pressure/flow at your outside hose bib, usually located in the front of
your home. If you are getting good flow at the hose bib, the problem may be isolated
inside your El Paso County home. If the problem appears only on kitchen and bathroom sink taps, make
sure the faucet screens are free of accumulated hard water deposits or sediment. If all taps
are affected, make sure your main shut-off valve is fully opened and your pressure
regulating valve, if you have one, is operating properly. If you have a water conditioning
system (softener, etc.) verify that it is operating properly.
If there is very little pressure and flow from the hose bib, check your gate valve that is
located on the standpipe to make sure it is turned on all the way. If your gate valve is on
all the way, your pressure regulator may need to be adjusted or replaced. This pressure
regulator is the El Paso County homeowner’s responsibility to maintain.
Water Pressure Regulators for Residential Use
New residential plumbing codes usually require a pressure regulator be installed.
Although most pressure regulators are adjustable, they are normally set at a pressure
between 50 and 70 psi which is considered normal pressures for residential uses.
Regulators are typically installed with the initial construction of the home and maintained
by the property owner. Regulators are always located above
ground, usually near where the plumbing enters the house.
The pressure regulator is a bell-shaped device and is typically
installed on the inlet pipe, next to the hose bib and house valve.
The regulators are preset by the manufacturer at about 45 – 55
psi., and areas with low pressures may be negatively impacted
with this setting. Although in most cases, they do not need to
be adjusted. Please note that incorrectly adjusting the regulator
could cause water pressure that is too low or too high inside the
home. We recommend you have a qualified El Paso County plumber make adjustments to the pressure
regulator.
In an effort to aid you in your water pressure problems this information is being provided
to help you make adjustments to the water pressure regulator in your El Paso County home (if equipped).
This device will not increase water pressure above the operating pressure of the city
maintained water main.
These are generalized instructions actual adjustment procedures may vary depending on
the type and model of the pressure regulator in you home. To assure accurate
adjustments are made please refer to the literature that is provided by the manufacturer of
the regulator.
To increase the pressure down stream of the pressure
regulator loosen the Retainer/Lock Nut on the stem, them
rotate the Pressure Adjustment Stem clockwise to increase
the pressure and counter clockwise to reduce the pressure.
A pressure gauge connected down stream of the regulator
can be used to verify an increase or decrease in pressure.
Another method to verify the change in pressure is to set a
lawn sprinkler in the yard and view the effect of adjusting
the pressure regulator.
In some cases the internal components of the pressure regulator may need to be cleaned,
to perform this procedure please refer to the manufactures recommended maintenance
instructions or contact a licensed El Paso County plumber. If you chose to perform maintenance on the
pressure regulator such as cleaning of the internal seats and screens be sure to shut the
water off before the regulator before you proceed.
The adjustment and or cleaning of the screen of the pressure regulator may or may not
increase the pressure within your El Paso County home. Should you continue to experience water pressure problems having completed all these steps, you need to contact your El Paso County plumber.
