The most common cause of high pressure in a hot water heater is the excessive buildup of steam or air within the tank. This can happen when the heat exchanger inside the tank becomes blocked with sediment or mineral deposits, preventing the heated water from properly releasing steam or air.
If there's an accumulation of sediments in your hot water tank, it can lower your water pressure. The presence of kinks in the flexible water pipes used in water heaters can result in low water pressure. If the shut-off valve isn't fully open, water pressure can drop.
Temperature changes – As the temperature increases in your plumbing system, water will expand and pressure will increase. This can occur as water is heated by the water heater, especially if it has a defective expansion tank or pressure relief valve.
Why is My Water Heater Building Up Too Much Pressure? If your water heater is building up too much pressure there's likely three reasons. Either the temperature is set too high, there's a malfunction, or the water heater doesn't have an expansion tank.
Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80. Instead, you should aim for a psi that's between 60 and 70.
Pressures higher than 60 psi can damage your pipes, fittings, and switches. This damage can lead to plumbing failure and costly leaks. If the pressure is set at 80 psi, it's very possible the pump will be unable to reach the cut-off pressure. By the same token, never set the cut-off setting below 20 psi.
If you notice excessive noises coming from your unit, there's a problem. Two common water heater sounds are rattling and whistling, both of which result from built-up steam that can't escape the unit. If the steam can't escape properly, that means the pressure relief valve isn't working.
A broken water pressure regulator can cause high pressure. Trapped air can increase water pressure in pipes. Your showerhead's restrictor valve may have malfunctioned. If you hear a banging in your pipes, something called “water hammer,” you could have high water pressure.
Fixing High Water Pressure
If your pressure is consistently above 80 psi, it's time to add a water pressure regulator to your waterline. Also known as a PRV (pressure regulating valve), the regulator does exactly what its name implies; it regulates the pressure in your plumbing system.
Pressures above 80 psi are too high. Whereas low water pressure is more of a nuisance than a serious problem (some fixtures, like washing machines, have minimum pressure requirements), high water pressure carries with it a significantly increased risk of damage to pipes, joints, fixtures and seals.
Call your water company If you notice that your water pressure is immensely above the normal standards. When the force exceeds 100 psi or more, this could indicate a problem in the water supply network. It's the supplier's responsibility to make sure that your home receives normal levels of water.
The good news is that you can easily replace faucet aerators, clean showerheads to remove limescale, or simply buy new fixtures to replace the defective ones, which can improve your water pressure. However, it is important to know that repairing or replacing faucets and fixtures is only a temporary solution.
Replacing the Hot Water Heater Pressure Valve
Pressure relief valve replacement costs an average of $220 between parts and labor, or anywhere from $50 to $300.
Debris in water: Pressure relief valves do go bad, and debris can be one indication of this problem. If you find excessive debris or rattling continues after you turn off the water and attempt to clean your valve, you may be dealing with significant corrosion.
Leaking and Strange Noises
PRV valve leaking usually means there's a hole in your valve. If you see pressure relief valve leaking, flooding, or if you hear strange noises coming from your PRV, it's time for a replacement.
Standard home water pressure is designated as 80 psi, but when higher pressures are required to provide water for other facilities and services (often in the 100-110 psi range, but sometimes as high as 150 psi), this pressure can reach levels hazardous to your plumbing.
Higher pressure generally is not dangerous, as long as you stay well below the “maximum inflation pressure.” That number is listed on each sidewall, and is much higher than your “recommended tire pressure” of 33 psi, Gary. So, in your case, I'd recommend that you put 35 or 36 psi in the tires and just leave it there.
Most passenger cars' psi requirement will be between 30 to 35 psi, but several vehicles fall outside of that range and every vehicle will have specific requirements. Good tire air pressure ensures that tires wear evenly, provide a smooth ride, and increase fuel efficiency.
Normal water pressure is generally between 40 and 60 PSI. Most homeowners prefer something right in the middle around 50 PSI. Once you measure the water pressure in your house, you can adjust it to a setting that is ideal for all family members and household uses.
Normal water pressure range
In general, residential water pressure ranges between 45-80 psi (pounds per square inch). If your water pressure is under 40 psi, it's considered low. A psi between 20-30 is considered very low, and under the minimum water pressure required by most building codes.
The pressure level can vary, but 60 PSI (pounds per square inch) is recommended for most residential homes. Water pressure should not be higher than 80 PSI. Anything higher can cause major appliances, including water heaters and toilets, to stop working properly because of the stress on plumbing and other parts.