Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    mitch357's Avatar
    mitch357 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jun 22, 2009, 08:40 AM
    Maximum water pressure
    What is the maximum water pressure that is allowed in residential or commercial buildings?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Jun 22, 2009, 10:54 AM
    Hi Mitch357:

    80 P.S.I is a maximum allowed residentially or commercially. After that plumbers are required to install pressure regulators (pressure reducing valves)... see image.

    After installation most plumbers will set the pressure between 50-60 PSI maximum.

    Let me know if you have questions...

    MARK
    Attached Images
     
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
     
    #3

    Jun 22, 2009, 12:11 PM

    What is considered normal water pressure? There really is no such thing as "normal" water pressure. Since water pressure is influenced by the elevation of the reservoir that serves your neighborhood versus the elevation of your water meter, water pressure varies from property to property. Water pressure in the District typically ranges from 45 - 125 psi; however, typical residential systems are designed to function best under a pressure of 40 - 60 psi. If the water pressure entering your home exceeds this level, you should install a pressure regulator in the line to reduce the pressure to an acceptable range. This protects your equipment and piping in your home from damage from excess force exerted by the water. Symptoms of high pressure include "clanging" or "rattling" of pipes that occur when a faucet, dishwasher, or washing machine shuts off; water heater pressure relief valve malfunctions, and reoccurring leaks. The symptom of low pressure is typically a noticeable reduction of flow.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #4

    Jun 23, 2009, 07:00 AM
    In any of the areas I have lived in the water towers are always 100 feet high. Any idea why? Because the head pressure at 100 feet is 43.4 PSI The fall to the maim in the ground will add another few pounds and the pumping stations along the way will keep the mains pressured at 45 PSI. Some areas boost the pressure in the mains to reach outlaying areas so a pressure reducing valve must be installed at the point of use. Regards, Tom
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #5

    Jun 23, 2009, 08:17 AM

    I agree with posts above...

    In my area, we are required to install Pressure Regulator when incoming water pressure exceeds 75 psi. Kohler claims the best operating pressure for their plumbing fixtures is around 55 psi.

    As far as commercial plumbing goes: here, we install larger diameter pipes to compensate for high demand.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Maximum distance of a sanitary appliance from a water heater [ 1 Answers ]

I am working on the plumbing of a villa. It has three storeys, only one water heater is to be placed in the basement (must). There are 15 bath rooms. The height from the basement to top floor is 50 ft and the horizontal distance is 80 ft. This makes a total distance of 155 ft excluding friction...

Is the MAXIMUM density of water a constant? [ 4 Answers ]

Please bear with me. I'm sorry if I'm hard to follow. I know that under 1 standard atmosphere of pressure, water has the following properties: Freezing/melting point of 0 Celsius Boiling/condensing point of 100 Celsius Maximum density of 1.0 g/cm^3 achieved at 4 Celsius Here's my question:...

Reaching maximum water pressure [ 3 Answers ]

Hi. I'm having difficulty reaching 50psi in my water pump. It reaches 40psi and just continues to run. I've adjusted the air pressure in the pressure tank, but that didn't work. The tank had no air pressure when I checked it earlier today. I followed the procedure listed on the air tank to get...

Maximum water temperature vs boiling speed [ 6 Answers ]

Maybe this belongs under Chemistry, but if water cannot get hotter than 212 degrees at sea level before boiling, why do some recipes call for faster (rolling?) boils rather than a simmering boil? Sometimes things other than water are heated/boiled, but I believe the same underlying principle...


View more questions Search