It’s easy to take simple things, like running water, for granted. Think about it: when you turn on the kitchen or bathroom faucet, you expect a steady stream of water at the perfect temperature for whatever task you have to complete.
While you might not think about it often, water pressure plays a big role in your home plumbing running smoothly. In most homes, it should fall between 30 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch.) It’s a psi sweet spot that supplies water to multiple faucets or appliances.
Signs of High Water Pressure in Your Plumbing System
Leaks in Multiple Areas
Frequent leaks throughout your home can be a red flag for high water pressure. Excessive pressure strains your plumbing, especially at pipe joints and connections. The added pressure may cause leaks under sinks, around appliances, or even in walls.
While a single leak may likely be a one-off problem, if you have multiple leaks, this suggests there could be a larger system-wide issue.
Toilets That Run Intermittently
If one or more of the toilets in your home seem to “run marathons” at odd times, this is another potential sign of high water pressure.
Over time, excessive water pressure wears down the valve between the tank and bowl, causing that tell-tale non-stop running. Besides being annoying, it wastes precious water and money, accelerating the wear on internal parts and potentially leading to larger or emergency repairs.
Hammering or Banging Noises from Pipes
If you hear loud hammering when you turn off a faucet or run appliances, you might be dealing with a “water hammer” – a common sign of high water pressure.
What causes water hammers to happen? Excessive pressure causes water to vibrate through pipes, creating rattling noises. Over time, these vibrations can loosen pipes, eventually leading to leaks.
Why Addressing High Water Pressure Matters
Keeping an eye on the water pressure helps preserve the integrity of your home and everything behind your walls. Excessive water pressure quietly wears down pipes, fittings, and appliances, reducing lifespan and leading to unexpected repairs.
Potential outcomes of high water pressure:
- Strained pipes and fittings
- Faster wear on appliances like water heaters and washing machines
- Increased risk of leaks
- Shorter lifespan of your entire plumbing system
- Costly, unexpected repairs
Addressing high water pressure helps safeguard your most valuable asset – your home. Failure to address high water pressure could result in extensive repairs for water damage and remediation for mold or mildew growth health hazards.
How to Check Your Water Pressure at Home
If you’re concerned about high water pressure or simply curious to learn more about your system, here are steps you can take to check the water pressure in your home yourself:
- Purchase a Pressure Gauge: Get a simple, inexpensive pressure gauge from a hardware store.
- Turn Off Water Fixtures: Ensure all faucets, appliances, and outdoor spigots are in the off position.
- Attach the Gauge: Screw the gauge onto an outdoor faucet or hose bib.
- Turn on Water and Read: Open the faucet fully and read the pressure on the gauge.
- Ideal Pressure Range: Aim for a reading between 40 and 80 psi.
Following these steps will give you an accurate measurement of your home’s static water pressure.
How Northern Weather Affects Water Pressure
It’s worth noting that winter weather can play a role in water pressure fluctuations in Northern Ohio. When temperatures drop, water inside external pipes can cool and contract while the increased pressure builds up to keep water flowing against the chill. This extra strain, especially when combined with existing high water pressure issues, may add wear to pipes and fixtures during winter.
Taking precautions now can help your plumbing system withstand seasonal changes and minimize the risk of burst pipes.
Solutions for High Water Pressure
If you suspect or discover that your home has high water pressure, there’s no need to worry! Pompeii’s Plumbing is here to help residents and business owners in Greater Cleveland, Ohio.
Our licensed and experienced plumbing team applies their expertise to diagnose all plumbing issues, including high water pressure, from tracing them to the source and providing solutions that ensure your home’s long-term safety, comfort, and health.
Protect Your Home with Pompeii’s Plumbing
Whether making a simple adjustment to a regulator or inspecting for signs of wear caused by excess pressure, we do it all to keep your plumbing system running smoothly.
Pompeii’s Custom Plumbing is Now a Part of Westland HVAC + Plumbing.
Same great service with more to offer. Call our team of experts for prompt, friendly, and professional services if you need anything else.
