Our Plumbers Talk About the Dangers of High Water Pressure
High water pressure is a common household problem that can lead to several plumbing symptoms like leaks, overpriced water bills and damaged pipes. Because of this, it can be a major problem for new homeowners who spend time and money trying to fix these symptoms without realizing what the real trouble is. Being able to tell the signs of high water pressure in your home can save you from an escalating number of problems that could lead to a real emergency plumbing disaster.
How to Tell If Your Water Pressure Is Too High (Before Calling the Plumbers)
The technical way of checking your water pressure is to buy a pressure gauge and screw it onto a faucet or hose outlet near your water meter. Check it several times a day; if the average is above 80psi, it’s probably too high. Practically, though, you might be able to tell if you have a pressure disparity just by noticing a difference when you turn on your faucet. If you hear a banging sound coming from your pipes, that’s another sign that there might be something wrong. Of course, having real plumbers check your situation is always preferable.
What Causes High Water Pressure?
- Inclination – Oftentimes houses situated at the bottom of a hill will have high pressure issues, because of the momentum the water gains when travelling to the property.
- Neighbourhood Necessities – Water companies will sometimes provide higher water pressure for areas with lots of tall buildings or lots of fire hydrants.
- Water Heaters – If you have a water heater in your home, it can lead to thermal expansion of the water volume in your pipes, which can cause irregularities in your water pressure.
What to Do?
If you discover your pressure is above 80psi, you can call your water company and ask them if they are having some kind of malfunction, but probably the easiest and safest solution is to buy a pressure regulator and install it on your main water line. If you live in the Toronto area and suspect you have a high water pressure problem in your house, don’t hesitate to call the professional plumbers over at New Canadian Drain & Plumbing. Our experts can help you in an emergency plumbing situation, and talk to you about how to best take care of your home’s plumbing system. Visit us on Google+