How to Pressure Test an Irrigation Pipe

Knowing how much water pressure is available in your plumbing system at any given time will help determine whether you can add or expand a sprinkler system. Pressure in pipes is measured in terms of pounds per square inch, or psi. The static psi rating refers to the amount of pressure available to any fixture in your home, and is measured when no water is moving through your system. Testing the static water pressure at the hose bib outside will tell you exactly how much pressure is available to your irrigation pipes.

Water pressure gauge

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off all of the devices in your home that use water. This includes faucets, showers, dishwashers, sprinklers, washing machines and any other device. It's critical that nothing in your home is using water during a static pressure test.
- 2
  Screw a water pressure gauge onto a hose bib outside. The best place to test is on a hose bob that's close to the elevation of the sprinkler system, but any bib will provide an accurate test.
- 3
  Turn the hose valve to the full open position. This will allow the static water pressure to build up on the gauge.
- 4
  Read the gauge and note the position of the needle on the face. The needle will indicate the psi rating for your system. Normally, the pressure range for a home is between 40 psi and 60 psi, although the range can vary.

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