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

High water pressure can quickly do a number on your Greeneville, SC, home’s plumbing, including pipes, fixtures, and appliances. The average home water pressure should be between 40 and 60 PSI (pounds per square inch), but if your water pressure is higher, you may end up with a messy, expensive plumbing emergency. Ethical Plumbing can help Greeneville, SC, homeowners lower their water pressure and reduce wear and tear on residential plumbing.

What Are Signs of High Water Pressure?

Your home will give several signs that your water pressure needs to be adjusted. Call a professional plumbing service if you’re experiencing:

• Leaking pipes
• A loud banging noise, aka “water hammer”
• Damage to your appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters
• Higher utility bills, even if your usage is the same
• Leaking faucets (don’t forget to check outdoor faucets)
• Running toilets

While some of these common plumbing problems may not be caused by high water pressure, they all indicate that something is amiss. A plumber can address the underlying issues before you end up with serious damage.

What Causes High Water Pressure in My Home’s Pipes?

Some of the causes of high water pressure may be out of your control. For example, the municipal water system may be sending water under high pressure into your house. In this case, you’ll need a professional plumber to install a pressure regulator at your water main.

Other causes of high water pressure include pipe scaling, which is common in older homes, and clogs in the pipes. When your home’s pipes are blocked with debris and waste, water has to work harder to get through your plumbing system, resulting in increased pressure.

What Plumbing Problems Can High Water Pressure Cause?

The most noticeable problem could be your water bills – left unchecked, high water pressure can increase your bills by almost 30%!

Any appliance that uses water can wear down or break from high water pressure. Washing machines and dishwashers run at minimal pressure and typically aren’t designed to withstand high pressure. Finally, high water pressure can damage your pipes. Leaks can cause water damage and lead to mold and mildew.

Can High Water Pressure Break Pipes?

Unfortunately, high water pressure can break your pipes! Just like high blood pressure, high water pressure can put undue strain on your home’s plumbing. Without correction, the excess pressure and shifting water table can weaken pipe joints, causing them to leak or burst.

Luckily, high water pressure is an easy fix for a professional plumber. They will install a water pressure regulator in your home, which can reduce the force exerted on your appliances, pipes, and fixtures and decrease the likelihood of you dealing with broken pipes in the future.

Do You Need a Plumbing Inspection?

Do you need help checking the water pressure in your home or adjusting it? Call the team at Ethical Plumbing today for an inspection and repair. We offer full-service plumbing visits from professionally trained techs in the greater Greeneville, SC, metro area. Call us today to book your appointment!