How High Water Pressure Can Damage Your Home’s Plumbing System

And What You Can Do About It

Everyone dreads taking a shower or washing their car with low water pressure, but the soothing luxury of sufficient water pressure doesn’t come without a cost to your wallet or your home.

For every 10 minutes of water use, high water pressure can waste 6 to 26 gallons of water, which can result in a pricey water bill. In fact, high water pressure also puts excess stress on your home’s plumbing system and reduces the life expectancy of appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.

Water Pressure: How High Is Too High?

In general, residential water pressure is considered too excessive at or above 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). For most plumbing appliances and systems, the ideal water pressure is somewhere between 45 and 55 PSI.

Can High Water Pressure Damage Pipes?

Yes, high water pressure can erode pipes, causing:

• A greater risk of pipes cracking or breaking
• Leaks and disruptive sounds
• A reduced service life for both your pipes and your plumbing fixtures

3 Signs of High Water Pressure

Your home’s water pressure may be too high if you notice:

1. Banging pipes: Excessive pressure can cause water to thrash through pipes quickly, causing knocking or banging sounds.
2. Running toilets: Though uncommon, high water pressure can cause toilets to run continuously.
3. Leaking faucets: If your faucet leaks at certain times of the day or when using a plumbing fixture, high water pressure may be to blame.

If you recognize any of these warning signs, contact Len The Plumber. We can test and restore your home’s water pressure while identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the problem.

How to Fix High Water Pressure

Depending on the cause of high water pressure, the problem may be easily fixed with a pressure reducing valve (PRV). Some benefits include:

• Saving money on water bills
• Automatically reducing your home’s high incoming water pressure to a lower, more functional level
• Reducing your household water consumption by up to 30%

If you already have a PRV, expect it to last between 7 and 12 years. Whenever you need help replacing your PRV, determining how old your current system is, or identifying other solutions to your water pressure problems, contact Len The Plumber.

Need to Check Your Home’s Water Pressure? Contact Us!

At Len The Plumber, our local plumbers can diagnose and fix any water pressure problem or plumbing issue—no job is too big or small. Plus, with our 24-hour emergency service at zero extra cost and our great reviews, you can be confident that you’re getting top-quality plumbing solutions whenever you need help with your plumbing!

Call 800-950-4619 or contact Len The Plumber online now to schedule same day service!

We’re proud to be the team locals trust for top-notch plumbing services throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Simply contact us to experience our excellence for yourself!