Is High Water Pressure Bad for Residential Plumbing?

We all know the pains of having low water pressure. It’s nearly impossible to get all the shampoo out of your hair when your shower head is barely trickling. The washing machine takes forever to fill up and continue the cycle. Although this is an annoyance that you can definitely fix, you want to be careful not to overdo it. Here’s what you need to know about high water pressure in your residential plumbing.

Signs of High Water Pressure

If you hear a banging sound in your pipes, what we call a “water hammer”, you may have a faucet or valve that is causing the water to halt its flow. This sends a shock wave through your pipes and the vibration is what causes the banging noise.

Leaks are another common sign of high water pressure. Residential plumbing fixtures aren’t meant to handle high water pressure through the fittings, so pipes and hoses can easily burst. Small pinhole leaks may only be visible after damage has already been done to your walls.

Quality appliances should last you for years. If you’ve recently replaced a washing machine or dishwasher and are having issues, it might be a sign of high water pressure. Not fixing the problem can lead to a decreased life cycle for your appliances.

Causes of High Water Pressure

If you suspect that you have high water pressure, consider the following reasons for its cause. Those who live near the bottom of tall buildings or among many hills may have higher water pressure, as the supplier will have to pump the water harder to reach those living up higher.

Living near a fire hydrant can cause a similar issue since a lot of water must be pumped to the fire hydrant very quickly when needed.

If you water service has recently undergone maintenance, you may have air bubbles trapped inside your pipes. Run the taps for a few minutes to see if this alleviates the problem.

How to Test for High Water Pressure

You can run a few tests on your own to determine if your residential plumbing system has high water pressure. A water pressure gauge can easily be found at a hardware store and is simple to use. If you use this to test your water, ensure it does not exceed 80 psi.

A pressure reduction valve could be the answer to your high water pressure problems. This device uses an internal diaphragm to control the flow of water. Set the regulator to your preferred setting and it should last for around seven years.

If your water pressure is over 100 psi, contact your local water company.

Need Residential Plumbing Services?

If you’re unable to diagnose or solve the problem, or simply don’t have the experience to, give Hulsey Environmental (a Blue Flow Company) a call. Our residential plumbing experts can visit your home to assess the signs of high water pressure, find a cause, and prepare a solution for you. Contact us today for more information.