Water Pressure - How To Measure
Determing Your Household Water Pressure
A Quick Pressure Check Saves Headaches Later
You can purchase an inexpensive water pressure gauge at your local hardware store or online for around ten dollars. The gauge 
screws onto your hose bibb. Turn on the hose bibb and read the psi (pounds per square inch) off of the gauge.
Drip systems operate at 20-30 psi. Most household water systems operate at 50-70 psi.
If your household water pressure is at 90 psi or greater, it may compromise the operation of your drip regulator.
If this is the case, we recommend hiring a plumber to reduce the pressure of your household water system.
Sloping Property? Use Pressure-Compensating Emitters
Drip emitters with consistent output
When installing a drip system on a slope, non-pressure-compensating emitters will deliver less water at the top of the slope and more at the bottom. Install pressure-compensating emitters to ensure even flow rate even if the elevation changes. Non-PC emitters are best on flat lanscapes.
Here's a list of all the parts discussed in this tutorial.
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$0.20 - $0.24Volume discounts 1 - 99 $0.24 100 - 999 $0.20 1000 - 2999 $0.19 3000 + $0.17 Our most accurate button dripper emitter. Pressure compensating emitters deliver a consistent output of water, even with changes in pressure due to long drip tubing runs or changes in elevation.
For a complete listing of all our irrigation products, view our catalog online (pdf) or we'll mail you one.
Last modified: December 19, 2009
