On Apr 25, 7:19*pm, Calab wrote:
Calab wrote:

The water pressure in my subdivision has always been low. We moved in
as the area was being developed so we just assumed that the pressure
was low as houses were still going up, etc...

Well, now it's eight years later and our pressure is still poor. For
example, if I have the lawn sprinkler on and flush my toilet, the
sprinkler just about stops.

I'm hoping that there is a reasonably simple way that I could test the
water pressure in my home. Any gauges or methods that I should be aware
of?

I'm located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Your local big box store like Home Depot or Lowe's will have pressure
gauges that attach to your garden hose faucet for around $10 US or so in
the section with in ground sprinkler parts. They are commonly used to
check the available water pressure before designing an in ground
sprinkler system. Testing is the easy part, getting the water supplier
to fix the problem is a lot bigger problem.

Ah... I hadn't though to look there. Thx!

Robert is correct on how to check.

Check it at static (no water being used) and then dynamic (water being
used). If there is a significant difference, it is a volume (flow)
problem on your lot (assuming the static is at least 30psi). As you
state that the entire subdivision has the problem, it is almost surely
low pressure being supplied by the water company.

If it is the water company, complaints to the builder, the company,
and, most effective, the fire department should resolve it.

For your _personal solution_ 'booster pump' systems are available that
will correct the problem for your lot. They consist of a pump and
pressure tank. The system is not all that expensive especialy if you
install it yourself which is not difficult..

Harry K