There is quite a range for what you’ll probably consider just the right amount of pressure for your water at home. But there will be those bothersome circumstances when your home’s water pressure either slides off from that range and become too low or shoot right up and become way too high.
While it is really annoying when you have a low water pressure problem at home, but more than that, the underlying cause could be even more dreadful. It’s worse if the actual problem is high pressure as that can damage your home’s plumbing. Because of that, it’s best to investigate and take immediate action when you’re having trouble with water pressure in your property.
Super Low Pressure
You can’t help but notice low water pressure in the shower when you’re having difficulty rinsing off the soap. The same goes when it’s taking you too long to fill a pot with water in the kitchen.
If you want to test your water pressure (and we recommend that you do), you can simply purchase a pressure gauge from a nearby hardware store. Test the pressure at your hose spigot. If you get any number that is lower than 30psi, it is considered really low, and actually quite problematic.
There are a number of possible causes of low water pressure, and some are actually quite troubling. For example, a leaky pipe can be behind the drop in pressure and if that is so, it means you are wasting water, and of course, your money as you have to pay much higher bills. You could also be exposing your home to damage.
To see whether or not it is a leak that you’re dealing with, turn off all your appliances that use water and check the water meter reading. Do not use any water for a couple of hours. Check the meter again. If the reading has increased, that’s an indication that there is a leak.
Another possible cause would be a restriction in the pipes like a buildup of mineral from hard water. Also, pipes that are buried can cave in and cause an even worse blockage. These issues can easily be diagnosed by a plumber using a camera inspection.
If the problem is due to your local water municipality, you can still fix it. With a pressure tank, the water pressure from all of your fixtures can be raised. Pressure tanks can work anywhere higher pressure is needed.
Extremely High Pressure
If water is coming out of your faucets and showers too hard and if you sometimes hear a thumping sound when you turn a faucet off, that’s a sign that you have really high water pressure. You can check the pressure with a gauge to be certain. If you get a result that is higher than 80psi, that’s already too high.
When pressure is too high, it’s straining your fixtures, as well as your pipes and fittings. While this may not be a problem immediately, it will definitely cause cracks in your pipes and your fittings will start to fail after a few years.
Have your trusted professional from Hayes Plumbing to install a pressure regulator on your mainline to protect your household from high water pressure. You can also give us a call if you need a professional to check your water pressure at home.
