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I guess I need to find a way to test pressure inside then since I am not sure where I would connect this tester or how I would check from say a faucet.
65 psi is actually a USA Federal standard, so you're ok on that. In the mid-nineties there was a lot of plastic line going in that was pretty small: you might check on that. Up here we just pulled the water tank and our extremely good plumber told us he routinely is tearing out this stuff. It's not done that way anymore.
You said the house was 1996 and even plumbing does change.
typical water pressure is 65 PSI. In fact many houses have limiters (more or less) built in if the city water supply is over 65 psi. They are installed to protect various appliances (fridge water lines or ice makers).
PSI is a great way to judge pressure, but you need to do a GPM test. Like QIS said, GPM is flow, and you may have great pressure but just a flow issues.
Also remember that the higher the water line is (upstairs for example) the lower your pressure will be. You have a pressure loss with the extra height.
SO-
Step 1, Do a GPM test in your shower upstairs. Time how long it takes to fill up a 5 gal bucket.
Step 2, Do another GMP test on the valve closest to the water main. Is the GPM significantly higher? If yes you know it is the home plumbing that is the issue. If no, you have poor flow into the house from the main.
For low water pressure or flow from the main there are several options or things to check.
1.check your main after shutting the intake valve to your home off and see if you have a leak.
2.Call city water and talk to them about low pressure.
3. look for an old sprinkler system manifold that is no longer in use and may be leaking or causing disruption of flow. Many tie in between the main and house.
4. look for a water regulator that might be limiting flow.
5. Look for old valves that could have tons of calcium build up.
6. Check the age of your water heater. I have seen sooo many homes with water heaters older than me that have massive calcium deposits (scale) and thus the hot water flow is diminished and the water was turned up to max at one point so you have slower flow, but you may not notice. (also will help save on the old electric/gas bill).
7. Do a hardwater check. The harder the water the more likely calcium build up is. Correct with a water softener system.
8. you have done already. lol.
Also you may be able to install a water flow pressure booster. This could correct an issue between floors and also from the main to your home. I have one on my home and my PSI jumped from 45psi and 3.1GPM (ouch) to 60psi and 4.0 GPM. Our house is 35 feet higher than the main.
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