Adequate water pressure in your home is a daily necessity. It’s important for showering, doing dishes, doing laundry, and more. However, you also don’t want your water pressure to be too high since it can create major issues for your plumbing and also raise your water bill. This article will explain all you need to know about water pressure, what the pressure in your home should be, and what options you may have for overcoming water pressure issues.
What the Water Pressure in a Home Should Be
Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Generally speaking, your water pressure should always be somewhere between 40 and 55 psi. Anything under 35 psi or so is considered too low and will make it difficult to take a nice shower. Having your water pressure be too high is a much bigger issue, though. If the water pressure in your home is much above 60 psi, it increases the chances of your pipes, dishwasher, and washing machine developing leaks. The reason is that the high pressure exerts a lot of force that can weaken pipe and appliance fittings and eventually cause them to come loose. If this has occurred in your home, contact Efficiency Plumbing today for pipe repair. Another issue is that high water pressure wastes a lot of water since it increases how many gallons flow per minute when you turn on any plumbing fixture.
How a Water-Pressure Regulator Works
The water pressure in municipal water mains is usually anywhere from 100 to 140 psi or sometimes even higher. If the pressure wasn’t so high, it would lead to the water flowing into your home being much too low any time multiple homes in your area were using water at the same time. The pressure also has to be high so that the water can easily travel up hills and that taller buildings also have sufficient pressure to supply the upper levels. Another reason the pressure can be so high is that gravity causes the water to travel faster when it moves downhill, and this increase in speed also leads to an increase in pressure.
The fact that the pressure in municipal water systems is so high is why many homes have a water-pressure regulator installed where the main water line enters the house through the foundation. This regulator is just a valve that has a diaphragm that can expand and contract automatically any time the pressure of the water flowing into the home changes. If your water pressure is too high, all you usually need to do is have a plumber adjust the regulator so that it slightly reduces the pressure. In some cases, it can also indicate that the regulator in your home is broken or stuck. There’s also a small chance that your home doesn’t have a regulator, in which case you should have one installed to help protect your plumbing.
Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
There is also a chance that you just need to have your water-pressure regulator adjusted if your home constantly has lower water pressure. If your pressure just suddenly drops, it may be that there’s an issue with the municipal water supply such as a broken main. Another possibility is that a pipe in your home or your main water line has sprung a leak. A small leak typically won’t cause a noticeable decrease in pressure, but a more serious leak definitely can.
Another common issue that affects homes in areas with hard water is that mineral deposits continually build up inside the main water line and all of the pipes. As the deposits build up, they slowly decrease the inside diameter of pipes and essentially start choking them off. That means that less water can flow through the pipes, leading to the pressure being lower than it should. That’s why having a water softener is helpful if you have hard water since it will remove all of the minerals to ensure no deposits build up in your home’s pipes.
If the water pressure in your home is consistantly low, a plumber may be able to help you determine why or at least to overcome it. The best option for overcoming low water pressure is often to install a pressure-boosting pump. This type of pump is installed on the main water line right where it enters the building. Any time you use any plumbing fixture, the pump will kick on and instantly increase the pressure of the water before it flows out into your pipes.
If you’re having issues with your home’s water pressure, Efficiency Plumbing is ready to help. We’ve been serving customers in Hanover since 2015 and are one of the most trusted plumbing, heating and air conditioning companies in the area. For more information on the ways you can ensure your home has the correct water pressure, contact us today.
