Water circulates through the taps and fixtures in your home under pressure. Your taps will only release a trickle of water if there is insufficient pressure. It could be difficult for the water to reach some fixtures in your home if the pressure is too low. High pressure is essential to control the water flow on the top floors.
Yet, too high water pressure might harm your plumbing. Many bathrooms and kitchen plumbing issues often stem from excessively high-water pressure. High water pressure in your home may be the root cause of several seemingly innocuous plumbing issues. Luckily, you can identify the warning signs of high-water pressure in your house.
Common Signs Of High-Water Pressure In Your House
Leaking Pipes
High water pressure overworks and strains the plumbing system in your home. Often, it causes loose joints or little pipe leaks.
The tiny drips are the most difficult to detect because they do not make any noise and frequently happen in hard-to-reach places like on ceilings and floors and behind walls. Leaking pipes can lead to water damage to your property, including the formation of mould and rot.
In the worst-case scenario, high water pressure can cause a catastrophic failure that bursts a portion of your piping. As a result, your home can experience severe damage from flooding in just a few minutes.
If you frequently experience leaks, ensure that the water pressure is appropriate for your plumbing system.
Water Hammer – Banging or Clanging Noises in Pipes
A water hammer is the shaking, slamming, or clanging sound from your pipes when heavy water flows abruptly stops—for example, abruptly turning off a kitchen or bathroom faucet. The sounds occur when plumbing fixtures stop water suddenly in its tracks, sending shock waves through the plumbing system.
The powerful vibrations create a shuddering sound in the pipes as your plumbing tries to adjust to the change in water pressure. Under normal conditions, turning off the water or flushing the toilet should not make any odd noises.
High water pressure in the main water pipe leading into your home is one of the causes of water hammer. A water hammer can loosen plumbing connections or ruin your pipes in addition to the noisy thumping.
Although the noise is more audible through metal pipes, the effect is also hazardous through PEX and other plastic lines. Thus, the water hammer noise points to high water pressure in your plumbing systems.
Leaking Faucets or Running /Self-Flushing Toilet
Taps that constantly drip, spit or spray water when you turn their water on may indicate high water pressure. It may mean that high water pressure is causing water to flow out too forcefully through the plumbing system.
Usually, leaks occur when seals and rubber gaskets wear out. You can fix them by replacing the old worn-out parts. But if the leaks persist after replacement, water may flow to your fixtures at high pressure.
Also, you might have a defective fill valve if your toilet is running or flushing on its own. High water pressure can cause the toilet fill valve to wear out quickly; thus, the water will constantly run from the tank into the bowl.
So, too high a water pressure can wreak havoc on your plumbing fixtures, an expensive consequence of a simple problem. If you notice abnormally high-water pressure, get a plumber to examine your plumbing and sort out the potential issues.
High Water Bills
Are your water bills extremely high for seemingly no reason, or are you paying a higher water bill than your neighbour with a similar-sized house? Then, you may have high water pressure issues; using extra water every time you turn on a tap results in wasted water and money.
For example, if at the 50 PSI water pressure, you use around 30 gallons of water per 10 minutes, an increase of 10 PSI will translate to 36 gallons of water per 10 minutes.
It means you are using six extra gallons of water without being aware. Now, calculate the water usage in a home with water pressure as high as 80 or even 100 PSI. It may mean spending hundreds of extra pounds per year on the bill without realising it.
Noisy/Damaged Appliances
You may have high water pressure in your home if your dishwasher or washing machine suddenly becomes very loud or noisy.
When pushed to control high water pressure, the mechanical components and seals deteriorate faster. The result is increased stress on your household appliances, more noise, and a shorter lifespan.
Look for leakage and listen for loud noises created by your appliances; they can indicate that their seals or mechanical parts are enduring extreme wear and strain. Some companies may cancel your warranty on gadgets if the damage arises from high water pressure.
Short Hot Water Supply
High water pressure causes hot water to get used up too quickly. Water heaters handle water at a specific rate to compensate for used water while maintaining a consistent temperature. Once the tank empties, it fills up quickly if your water pressure is high.
As a result, cold water overwhelms the hot water, leading to a limited supply of hot water when needed.
High water pressure could also mean a shorter lifespan of your water heater because it keeps heating water after incomplete cycles. So, your water heater may wear out more quickly with frequent use in the winter months.
Conclusion
Water circulates through the plumbing system in your home under pressure. Since low water pressure is an inconvenience characterised by trickling flow, higher water pressure is favourable.
On the other hand, too high water pressure might potentially damage your plumbing. Many plumbing issues frequently arise from high-water pressure.
So, you need to find the optimum balance to reduce the frustration of waiting for a bucket to fill due to low pressure while sparing yourself repairs from too high pressure.
Contact us to investigate if you notice any of these indicators of high-water pressure in your home.
