You probably know low water pressure can be an issue — no one wants to spend forever trying to wash shampoo out of their hair. Did you also know that high water pressure can be an even bigger problem than low water pressure?
Water pressure that’s too high can cause plumbing issues and wear out expensive appliances. Use this guide to learn more about the problems caused by high water pressure and how you can help keep your home’s water pressure at a safe level.
What Happens If My Water Pressure Is Too High?
High water pressure puts excess strain on your plumbing system, including your pipes, seals, and appliances that use water. As high volumes of water are forced through, the parts that make up your plumbing system are stressed by the pressure, which can lead to various problems.
Over time, high water pressure wears on your plumbing system and leads to:
- Leaking Pipes: High water pressure continuously puts too much force on your pipes. Eventually, your home’s pipes will likely wear down until they can no longer hold back the water. You might start to get pinhole leaks in your pipes, which can slowly cause water damage in difficult-to-reach areas of your home, such as behind walls.
- Broken Seals: Your water pressure can also cause the seals around the ends of pipes to break or wear down faster than usual. Like leaking pipes, broken seals can cause water damage in your home. A broken seal could also happen in one surge, resulting in a burst pipe and flowing water throughout your home.
- Worn Appliances: Appliances that use water — such as your dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater — are designed for a certain amount of water pressure. When the water pressure is too high, the appliances’ hoses and internal components are exposed to damaging conditions that can cause excessive wear or complete failure. Not only does this increase the risk that the appliance may fail prematurely, but it may also void the warranty.
- High Water Bills: Physical problems aren’t the only issues caused by high water pressure. If your pressure is too high, you could also see an increase in your water bills. If you’re trying to save money on utilities, high water pressure could be costing you.
How Do I Know If I Have High Water Pressure?
The normal range for water pressure in homes is between 40-80 pounds per square inch (psi). The easiest way to tell if you have high water pressure is by using a water pressure gauge. These inexpensive tools can be found at your local hardware store for less than $20.
To use the pressure gauge, attach it to a faucet with the water turned off. Make sure the gauge reads 0 psi before you turn on the water. Turn the water on and see where the needle on the gauge goes. If it’s above 80 psi, you probably need to lower your water pressure.
There are several less scientific ways to see if you have high water pressure as well. You might have high water pressure if you notice:
- Expensive Water Bills: If your water bills seem a lot higher than expected, you’re using more water than usual. This can be a sign that your pressure is too high.
- Clanging Pipes: As high-pressure water moves through your plumbing, it doesn’t have enough room to move evenly. The water instead bounces off the sides of the pipes and back into itself, causing your pipes to rattle, bang, and shudder.
- Loud Appliances: Washing machines and dishwashers that make a lot of noise when water is running through them could be signs of high water pressure. Your appliances are working overtime to regulate the amount of water moving through the hoses, and the noise you hear is a result of that extra work.
- Appliances Breaking Down Frequently: If you experience frequent problems with your water-using appliances, such as the washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, whole-house humidifier, and refrigerator’s water dispenser, your gauge may register high water pressure.
- Not Enough Hot Water: Does it seem like your hot water runs out after only a few minutes? A short supply of hot water could be a sign of high water pressure. The high pressure means more water is moving through your faucet or showerhead in a shorter amount of time.
- Constantly Running Toilet(s): High water pressure in the house can cause your toilet to fill past the tank’s fill valve before it shuts off, overfilling the tank. When the tank overfills, water continues to flow into the overflow tube, causing the toilet to run constantly. High water pressure can also wear down the fill valve’s internal components over time, making it less effective at shutting off.
- Leaking, Dripping Faucet(s): If you have replaced the washers on leaky faucets and they continue to drip, it could be a sign of high water pressure.
- Where You Live: Where you live can dictate whether you have high water pressure. For instance, if you live at the bottom of a hill, gravity can increase the water pressure in your home. Similarly, if you live near a fire hydrant, there will be very high water pressure available around your home. Pipes in good repair and a functioning water pressure regulator should compensate for these conditions, but if your plumbing system is older or poorly maintained, these factors can lead to dangerous psi levels.
Do You Have High Water Pressure? Be Prepared
As we’ve discussed, high water pressure can cause a great deal of damage in your home. But you don’t have to be a hapless victim! Enlist the aid of smart technology to alert you to any water leaks. Smart water sensors monitor your home’s water pressure around the clock, notifying you when the pressure is too high and alerting you to potential leaks. Even better, many of these remote leak detectors enable you to shut off the water supply to your home through the app—manually and automatically. So, if you’re at work or on vacation, you can be notified and respond to a leak to limit the damage.
Best of all, protecting yourself from high water pressure and damage from water leaks earns you a discount on your homeowners insurance!
Fixing High Water Pressure Helps Prevent Water Damage
Most modern homes are equipped with a water pressure regulator to help monitor your water pressure and keep it at the proper level. If you’re dealing with ongoing high water pressure, you should check on your regulator. You may be able to lower your water pressure by adjusting the regulator, or you might need to replace it with a new one.
Older homes may not have a water pressure regulator. If you discover this to be the case, consider calling a plumber to install one.
Know When to Call Your Insurance Company and a Plumber
High water pressure is too damaging to ignore. If you notice any of the signs we’ve discussed, such as clanging pipes, constantly running toilets, unusually high water bills, noisy appliances, or scarce hot water, it’s time to investigate. You can check your home’s water pressure with a low-cost pressure gauge and visually inspect all visible plumbing for leaks or drips. Otherwise, it’s time to call a plumber. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems. With your prompt action, a plumber can assess your home’s water pressure levels, check for damage, and make any necessary repairs.
As always, prevention is key. Calling a plumber to fix your home’s high water pressure can prevent significant damage that requires extensive and expensive restoration. However, if damage occurs before a plumber can intervene, your homeowner insurance policy can help you cover the expenses.
In cases where high water pressure causes pipe bursts, flooding, or damage to expensive appliances, it’s time to call your insurance company. Again, act promptly. While most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, they may not cover gradual damage or that caused by poor maintenance.
How Do I Know If I Have The Correct Water Pressure?
Regulating your water pressure to avoid causing damage and ensure optimal performance of your appliances is more than just avoiding high water pressure. The recommended range for most homes is between 40 and 80 psi. Use your trusty water gauge to measure your plumbing’s water pressure. If the pressure is too high or too low, it is best to consult a plumber. They will either adjust your water pressure regulator, install one, or investigate other underlying issues.
Regular monitoring and maintenance ensure your water pressure remains within the optimal range, protecting your home’s plumbing and making daily wash-ups comfortable and convenient.
Fixing high water pressure helps extend the life of your plumbing and appliances while also helping you avoid major plumbing issues caused by water leaks or burst pipes.
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