Low water pressure can be a common complaint. But, don't forget the dangers of having too much water pressure. Excessively high water pressure can lead to damage to appliances and pipes and will ultimately cost you more in repairs and replacements.
High water pressure can be hard to spot because the signs are often small and unrelated. Three common signs that indicate high water pressure are loud appliances and pipes, limited hot-water supply, and high water bills. These are all indicators that you need to call a plumber right away.
Signs that your water pressure has risen
1. Unexpectedly, your water cost increases
If your most recent water bill causes you to raise an eyebrow, that's because you are using a lot of water and not realizing it. Normal water pressure typically ranges from 40 to 60 PSI. But, high water pressures in some homes can reach 80 to 100 PSI, which means that more water is being pushed through the plumbing.
2. The hot water doesn't stay hot for very long
It is possible that your hot water tank is filling up too fast. This could disrupt the temperature your water heater is trying to maintain. The high water pressure makes your water heater work harder and increases the risk of a break-down or leaking.
3. Your pipes and appliances can be very loud
This extra pressure can make strange sounds coming from your pipes or appliances which are connected to the water system.
It doesn't matter if your dishwasher is humming. You might have a water pressure problem if the dishwasher howls between cycles. Most likely, the problem is due to wear in seals and other mechanical parts. This can reduce the appliance's lifetime. Similar to the water heater above, appliances will wear quicker if they have to compensate for higher water pressure.
You should not hear unusual sounds while running your toilet flusher or running your faucet. If you hear shuddering or banging, that is a sign your water pressure might be high.
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