Updated January 16, 2024
When people talk about water pressure problems in their households, they’re usually complaining about water pressure that’s too low. This means water that dribbles from faucets, making it difficult to clean dishes and utensils. It also makes it difficult to shower, and simply filling up a bucket can take too much time. However, the opposite problem—water pressure that’s too high—happens often as well. It’s harder to notice, but it’s also worse for a home’s plumbing!
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What is “too high” when it comes to water pressure?
For most houses, 80 psi (pounds per square inch) is about right. If the water pressure is over 100 psi, that’s too much. This increase in pressure is usually the fault of the municipal water company, which sets the pressure higher in order to accommodate fire hydrants and tall commercial buildings. Some water companies even set the water pressure above 150 psi!
Why is high water pressure a problem?
If the pressure of the water entering your house is 100 psi or above, it can damage the plumbing. The pressure will cause dripping faucets and leaks in the pipes. It’s also harmful to water-using appliances, such as water heaters, dishwashers, and laundry machines. Whenever you notice a high number of dripping faucets or you have frequent water leaks, then your house may have excessively high water pressure.
What can I do about this?
Since the problem is coming from the municipal system, you might at first think that you can’t do anything about high water pressure. But there’s a solution, which is to call professional plumbers and arrange for the installation of a water pressure regulator. This valve attached to your water line lowers the pressure in your house down to 80 psi. You can call our plumbers for this service: they’ll check the water pressure and then find the right valve to keep your plumbing safe.
You can rely on Golden Rule for your plumbing services in Des Moines, IA. “We Obey the Rules to Live By.”
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