As we turn on the kitchen tap or run a bath, unless the water is dripping out or not coming out at all, most people will not consider the how the water is coming out. However, water pressure is something that we should all be familiar with.
Most households receive water from a mains water system. The water is usually extracted from various groundwater sources, treated to remove impurities and then pumped to a high point or water tower. Gravity then takes over to provide the pressure that forces the water through the pipes and eventually to our homes.
Typical residential water systems are designed to function between 40-70 psi of pressure. If the water pressure exceeds 80-90 psi, a pressure regulator may need to be installed to reduce the pressure to an acceptable range. This will stop any damage being caused by excess water force. The opposite can also occur. Where water pressure is below 40 psi, a pressure-booster can be installed to bring it up to acceptable levels.
It is also important to note that water flow is not the same as water pressure. Water flow is the effect of water pressure on the amount of water available. If water pressure is reading at an acceptable level but the pressure seems to be less than usual, this may be caused by a flow problem.