When using water pressure pump, ensure recommended domestic Water pressure limits are maintained for retaining life of domestic pipe fittings & appliances. Goal of the post is to share the recommended domestic Water pressure limits for smooth operation of appliances and fittings. Knowing and maintaining the pressure of domestic water in the home water pipeline will improve the life of the fittings and appliances. It also reduce the water wastage. These tips will help you, whether it’s an individual home or flat in a high-rise building.

What is water pressure?

It is the force behind the water that flows it through the water pipeline. The units used to measure it is called Pounds/Square Inch or PSI. Other units like kPa/BAR & kg/cm2 are also used.2.7579 4.13685

What is the recommended domestic Water pressure limits for Home appliances?

For typical home appliances connected to the domestic water pipeline, you need to know the water pressure limits. Maintaining the domestic water pressure from 35 PSI to 60 PSI is the best. That is to say 2.81 Kg/CM2  to 4.22 Kg / CM2.  It is better to be between 2.75 to 4.13 BAR when measured in BAR. These recommended domestic Water pressure limits will also help to reduce the water consumption in compared to the taps operating at high pressure.

You will gain multiple benefits by ensuring the normal water pressure limits mentioned.  These limits are to be measured & monitored regularly using water pressure gauge by the Apartments (if you are in high-rise buildings) as these buildings will have water pressure pump installed. 

Why it is important to maintain pressure level?

While the CPVC plumbing lines can handle high water pressure, household appliances such as Water purifier, Geyser, Fittings etc. are typically designed to support lower water pressure levels. This will cause repeated water leakage or breakdown of the appliance if a major difference in pressure ratings.

                                                                                   water pressure gauge

One of India’s popular CPVC brand leaflet says it can withstand a maximum pressure of 28.1 bar at 23 ° C & 8.79 bar at 82 ° C. But at the same time a specification of the branded Geyser states that it can withstand up to 8 bars. So, while the pipeline has the ability to handle higher pressure, it is important to look for appliance water pressure rating for trouble free operation.

What to look for when I buy any fittings or appliances connected to pipeline?

In summary, it is better to maintain water pressure levels in domestic plumbing lines between 40 and 60PSI (with approx. + /-10 percent tolerance).When purchasing appliances such as water purifier, geyser, washing  machine, etc., please make sure you purchase the item that matches your domestic water water pressure with a water pressure rating to ensure trouble less performance.

In case of branded fittings (taps, faucets, etc.), typically it supports a higher level of pressure. Still better to be verify the supported pressure to assured for normal performance.

Thus, you must check the minimum and maximum pressure rating for fittings and appliances before you buy.

How to measure the domestic water pressure?

Take the help from a plumber who should have exposure to water pressure pumps and have a water pressure gauge. If you can do a small “do it yourself” work, please buy a water pressure gauge from Amazon/Other shops. It costs around 800 Rupees. You can connect it to the health faucets in the toilet to easily measure the pressure. (Why health faucets? – You can use any female pipe connector and not only the health faucets. But it is very easy to use health faucets head, thus recommending)

Note that the gauge you are buying is supporting the health faucets pipe size, typically ¾ size. If not, you may need to get a connection reducer or enlarger suiting faucet head (may cost 30 Rupees at local hardware store).

What can you do if your appliance like water purifier support lower pressure while you are in a high rise building with higher water pressure?

Typically in high rise buildings, lower floors will have a very high water pressure like 100 PSI and above. In such cases, better to put a water pressure reducer valve between water purifier and water inlet. You can adjust the pressure to the required level.

In high rise buildings, lower floors will have high pressure. To maintain the pressure if required a Pressure Reducer Valve needed to be installed.

What if the pressure is low which & pressure rating of appliance is high?

You may have to use a booster pump or adjust the tank position when you are in an individual house. In high rise building, they will be using constant pressure system to maintain the pressure.

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