So I finally got tired of low water pressure throughout the house and decided to check with a gauge. A reading of the outside (front) spigot gives me approx 70 psi constant (using a HD bought pressure gauge). When my wife started the clothes washer and it began to fill the gauge immediately dropped to 30 psi. This type of drop is typical of all the water outlets in the house.

I figured 70 psi should be fine for the house, but I would think that it should do a better job of maintaining that pressure with multiple faucets open.

So here's my question: Is that type of drop typical? Is there anything I can do to maintain a higher pressure so that people can actually shower in both bathrooms and have the clothes washer run? Things I can check/replace? I try to DIY on anything I can,but I really don't want to screw around and possibly make it worse if its complicate/takes specialty tools.

background: In ground sprinkler system, is connected before the house and has fine pressure when each zone is running, I did adjust the screw for the in-line pressure regulator to the house out in the yard with no noticeable effect either way, so returned it to roughly the same position it was in when I started. I AM wondering if that pressure regulator is bad and replacement would fix my issue?

TIA

edit-Its newish 2004, located in edelweiss gartens in CS, but we bought it just this last year.


[This message has been edited by AgFan247 (edited 3/26/2011 5:36p).]

How old is the house?

For inspections 40 - 80psi is considered the normal acceptable range. So 70 is fine. I am going to assume the house is newer since you mentioned the PRV. Many cities have higher than 80 psi pressure. HIgher than 80 is considered bad for your fixtures and valves and can lead to failures and leaks (the thought behind the 40 - 80 range.)

You also have to deal with volume of water. to a given fixture. Most newer houses do not have problems with a couple showers going at once. Older houses often do. Some newer builder will cheap out on line sizes.

In my house the master tub has a bigger sized line going to it. So if wife is filling the tub, there is a noticeable difference at the shower - but not enough to cause scalding.

Honestly, though I check the pressure at every inspection, I have not really done studies on the affect of having different fixtures running or not on the pressure. I can say that most of the time the sprinkler running will be a 10 psi affect (I have had this on when checking.) 30 psi for the washer seems a little high, but I doubt there is an actual standard on this.

Try turning the shut off valve to the washer about 2/3. This will restrict and slow down the flow to the appliance.

On older homes it could be a volume issue. If it has older galvanized pipes, they build up with sediment so u lose storage capacity. So when u run multiple fixtures u appear to have a pressure issue

Pig driver