Most people want a decent level of water pressure available to use in and around their home. Very few of us would enjoy showering with low water pressure and washing a car would be problematic. So it’s fair to say that a reasonable level of water pressure is desired, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. If the water pressure is too high, it can cause a number of problems that can be expensive to repair. Let’s take a closer at some of these issues and simple way to correct them.
High Water Usage
High water pressure causes us to use higher amounts of water in a shorter period of time. Even a 10 minute shower could waste 6-26 gallons of water if you have high water pressure in your home. Naturally, this will be reflected in all of your home water usage, and it could add a significant amount to your monthly water bills.
Plumbing Problems
High water pressure can introduce a lot of excess stress on your home plumbing, and it will drastically reduce the lifespan of your water using appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters. These fixtures, pipes, and appliances are simply not designed to deal with high pressure water, and the damage can be extensive. A homeowner with these problems may notice that they need frequent plumbing repairs and that their appliances wear out very quickly.
Identifying High Water Pressure
A professional plumber will be able to tell you if you have high water pressure, but there are three common signs that you can look out for.
- Noisy Pipes
Many homeowners with high water pressure problems, report hearing banging pipe sounds. This is extremely easy to detect, the force of the water moving through the pipes causes the pipes to bang against fittings.
- Regular Leaking Faucets
You may notice that you have a leaking faucet problem, but only at certain times of the day. This could be during regular plumbing even in the home, such as a morning shower or when the dishwasher is running.
- A Running Toilet
Sometimes a toilet can leak or run due to high water pressure issues, this is unusual, but it happens often enough to mention here.
Getting a Professional Opinion
If you suspect that you have high water pressure problems, the next step is to get some professional help. A
local certified plumber will be able to test the water pressure in your home and establish if it’s too high or even too low. They will be able to make some recommendations on how to fix your particular water issues. A high water pressure problem once identified can be easily fixed by installing a pressure reducing valve (PRV). A PRV will reduce your water consumption by up to 30%, and this will significantly lower your water bills. Once installed, a PRV will last 7-12 years before it needs to be replaced.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
