Part III, Testing Water Pressure

When the Standards of Practice changed for Texas Home Inspectors on February 1, 2009, a new inspection procedure was added as a requirement. Inspectors must now put in the Report the location of the water meter, the location of the main house shut off valve (when there is one provided), and record the water pressure present at the house at the time of the inspection. The new procedure is meant to provide further information for the client in their decision to purchase, as well as to help set a base-line measure in case plumbing problems occur in the house later.

If you are wondering what difference the water pressure makes, ask yourself if you prefer a lot of pressure when you take a shower, or just a dribble. If the pressure is too low, you have run back and forth in the shower to get wet. If it’s too high … Well, come to think of it, most folks like strong pressure in the shower.

So, what’s the problem? The folks who engineer and manufacture plumbing fixtures and fittings, design those fixtures for optimum performance between 40 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). If the pressure is too high, the seals and seats and gaskets that make those things work like they are supposed to can (and do) wear out quicker. I was talking to a plumber recently about recording a reading of 110 psi at a recent house. he asked, “Have you ever seen what 110 psi will do to a toilet fill valve?” I did a search of the topic and came across this Chat site: Is my home’s water pressure (90 psi) too high?

Yesterday, February 4, 2009, I tested a house where the pressure was 135+ psi. The Buyer (my Client) was not a happy camper, but after we talked about options, he decided to proceed with the contract and ask the Seller to pay for the plumber to install a pressure reducer at the water meter. It’s reasonable request. That’s what we help our clients to do: figure out what to do next. We’re not trying to scare anyone, or sensationalize about anything we find. We just want to help you make the best decisions on how to proceed.

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Benbrook, TX Inspection Review

We were very pleased with your polite, sincere, and conscientious determination to do a complete and painstaking job on such a hot day. We will be happy to recommend you to anyone in the future. Thanks again.
Joy H.

Benbrook, TX Inspection Review
Fort Worth Home Inspection

As first time buyers, my fiancé and I were initially very nervous and unsure of the inspection process.
Adam took time to thoroughly explain the process and made simple recommendations as we walked through the house. He was very professional and patient with our questions!
The report was detailed and easy to read. We presented the home owner a copy to make negotiations- he commented how thorough it was and wished he used your services years ago when he first bought the home! We are very pleased and thankful for your services- happy to recommend you to friends and family.
L. MCAULIFFE

Fort Worth Home Inspection
Review – Home Inspection Keller, TX

"We would like to commend Adam on the thorough job that he did at our home inspection.
“Adam found a very small leak that many people would have missed. When this leak was tracked down, it was determined to be either in or under the slab. Exactly what we did not want.
“We turned the house down.
“The value of your service was outstanding because it saved us many thousands of dollars, as well as the time and headaches it would have cost to repair the leak.
“We certainly will using House Exam for our future inspection needs."
D&D Property Mgmt.

Review – Home Inspection Keller, TX
Ft. Worth Property Inspection Review

Thank you for this unusually thorough inspection report. I’ve had a number of inspections run in Texas and California, but yours is easily the most thorough I’ve ever read. As an out of state purchaser, the inspection is that much more important since I can’t see the property first hand, and you have helped us significantly. If you ever need an out of state reference, I’d be very pleased to describe what a great job you’ve done for us.
Best regards,
Steven B.

Ft. Worth Property Inspection Review