Short answer: No.  But maybe you received an inspection report telling you your water pressure was normal at say 57 psi, but that the flow rate at fixtures in the home are low.  So how can that be?  Great question, so let’s dive in and look at the differences.

Water Pressure

  When home inspectors measure water pressure, they do it externally to the home usually at one of the hose bibs located around the exterior of the house.

  Water pressure then is the pressure of the water delivered to the home by the local water municipality (or in the Greater Houston area by your local MUD (Metropolitan Utilities District)).  The normal range for water pressure delivered to the home is between 45-80 psi.  If water pressure greater than 80 psi is detected then it is recommended the homeowner install an inline pressure regulator to bring the water pressure entering the home below that level.  Water pressure greater than 80 psi has the potential to damage both the internal plumbing system of the home as well as home appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines.

  If the home is in a rural area and water is supplied by a local water well then pressure will be regulated by the well pump.  There should also be a pressure tank and booster pumps that also function to deliver proper water pressure to the house.

Flow Rate

Simply stated flow rate is the measured amount of water coming out of a fixture over a certain period of time and are measured in Gallons Per Minute (GPM).  These are the typical U.S. flow rates for some fixtures and appliances:

• Kitchen faucet 2.0-3.0 GPM
• Shower 1.5-3.0 GPM
• Toilet 2.0-3.0 GPM
• Washing Machine 3.0-5.0 GPM

  So flow rate can be measured, but most people detect reduced flow rates initially by trusting their eyes – they know it when they see it.

  So what issues can cause low flow rates at fixtures and appliances?

• Low water pressure.  If water pressure is low coming in to the house then this will also affect flow rates.  This can be either from municipal delivery issues or perhaps the main water shutoff valve to the house has become partially closed.  If the house is equipped with a pressure regulator it could also be entering a failure mode.
• Excessive, simultaneous water usage.  Multiple intensive water use fixtures or appliances operating simultaneously will cause a drop in water pressure resulting in low flow rates throughout the house.
• Clogged pipes or fixtures.  Mineral deposit buildup in pipes, fixtures and showerheads can eventually restrict water flow, resulting in low flow rates.  This is more prevalent in hard water prone areas such as the Greater Houston area.

What can you do to prevent low flow rates?

  If your home doesn’t already have one, you should consider adding a water treatment system, such as a water softener, at the point of entry for water to the house.  Water softeners work by removing calcium and magnesium from the water and replacing them with sodium ions.  Not only does this help with preventing the buildup of mineral deposits in the internal house plumbing system, it also helps extend the life of the appliances that use water.  You should expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 – $3,000 installed for a household water softener system.  A 40lb bag of salt pellets currently sells for around $7 – $9 per bag and you can expect to use anywhere from 9 to 15 bags a year depending on how much water is used by the household.

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