When you are standing under a shower in the morning, just after waking up — or maybe in the evening after working out — those jets of water can really hit the spot. As good as high water pressure can feel on your stiff muscles, it is not necessarily a good thing for your plumbing. Too much pressure in your home’s pipes can damage your plumbing system and waste water. On the other hand, if you don’t have enough water pressure in your plumbing system, it can be frustrating: dishes not clean, hair not rinsed as well as it should be. The trick to maintaining proper water pressure in your home is finding a balance.
If you think the water pressure in your home is not what it should be — either too high or too low — consider picking up a water pressure gauge at your local hardware store. Using the gauge, check the pressure on your outdoor spigots and the faucets inside your house. A good water pressure level is between 50 and 60 PSI. If the reading is consistently on either side of this range, you need to figure out what is causing the problem. Call a plumbing professional to a get an assessment done and figure out what is causing the issue.
High Water Pressure
If the water in your pipes is too pressurized, it can result in leaks, banging pipes and problems in the places where pipes are joined together. One way to adjust the pressure if the level is too high is to install a pressure-reducing valve. While it’s an easy task, it is best done by a plumber who can calibrate it appropriately to the right pressure level for your plumbing system. If the problem persists after installation of the valve, you may have more serious plumbing issues that call for a professional plumbing inspection.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be as simple a problem as blocked or dirty aerators and strainers. Taking these off, cleaning them out and replacing them may solve the problem.
Sometimes, if you can’t isolate the water pressure problem inside your house, the problem may not be with your plumbing system, but rather with the water supply. In the Atlanta area, if there is a water use advisory, some municipalities may actually reduce the amount of water in the system, and thus reduce the pressure in your home’s plumbing. There is not much you can do about this, except to try to take showers and use water-intensive appliances — like dishwashers and clothes washers — at off-peak hours.
On the other hand, if you are experiencing pressure issues not related to the water supply, call a professional plumber here at Reliable. Acting sooner rather than later can assure that your home’s water pressure is adjusted to the correct level to avoid damage to your pipes and plumbing system. Reliable offers same-day service and has been serving the greater metro Atlanta community since 1978.
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