Most residential plumbing systems are designed to handle 40 to 60 PSI of pressure, with 80 PSI being the typical maximum and anything over 100 PSI being possibly detrimental to plumbing components.
When the pressure reaches levels of 100 PSI or above, it usually indicates an issue within the water network, rather than something within the home. Get in touch with a representative from your water supplier to discuss the problem, and they'll be able to advise you on what they can do to fix the pressure.
If it's above 80 psi, you probably need to lower your water pressure.
Anything over 80 psi is considered too high and could damage your plumbing system. On the other end of the spectrum, anything below 40 psi is considered low pressure, and anything below 30 psi is considered too low.
For most houses, 80 psi (pounds per square inch) is about right. If the water pressure is over 100 psi, that's too much. This increase in pressure is usually the fault of the municipal water company, which sets the pressure higher in order to accommodate fire hydrants and tall commercial buildings.
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.
If your pressure is higher or lower, then you'll need to install, repair, or adjust your pressure regulator to comply. Adjusting your regulator is easy, as long as it's working properly. Simply tighten the screw down clockwise to increase pressure and counter-clockwise to decrease pressure.
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.
It's important to maintain your home's water pressure within an acceptable range. The ideal water pressure ranges between 40 and 80 pounds per square inch, with the recommended home water pressure at 60 psi.
Maintaining water pressure between 40–60 psi is recommended for well water systems. It's important to periodically test the water pressure to ensure it falls within this range and detect any issues early on.
This causes damage to essential water pipe joints, fixture heads, and valves. In addition to the failure of such fixtures, high water pressure can lead to pipes bursting when they cannot contain the water.
Many appliances are only rated to handle incoming water pressure up to 80 psi. Constant pressure above that level can cause supply lines to appliances to fail prematurely and burst.
With high water pressure flowing and stopping in your pipes, it can cause long-term damage like small leaks. Might not sound too bad, but these leaks can lead to structural damage and even pipe bursts. It can damage your hot water heater.
Anything above 80 PSI is considered too high and can cause serious damage to your pipes and equipment.
If, on the other hand, your home's water pressure is high, this can cause many problems such as burst pipes, leaks, or rattling pipes. These issues are likely to increase the amount of water your family is using, which will affect your water bill.
While 50 to 70 pounds per square inch (psi) is the ideal range, most plumbing fixtures are designed to work with water pressure up to 75 psi. Anything higher than this can damage your pipes and fixtures.
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.
This is a serious concern—water pressure that's too high is difficult to contain, and could leak to plumbing leaks, worn seals, and damaged fixtures. It could even shorten the lifespan of your appliances that depend on a water connection like your washing machine, ice maker, dishwasher, and more.
The higher the psi, the more force the water is putting on your pipes. The ideal water pressure range for most homes is between 60 and 70 psi. If your water pressure is 80 psi or higher, you're likely going to run into some serious plumbing problems.
The best way to reduce a home's water pressure is to use a pressure regulating valve, or PRV. A PRV attaches right to your pipe. A professional technician can install it, and then you can easily change your plumbing's water pressure to the correct psi.
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 ideal well water pressure is between 40-60 psi. If you're uncertain whether your water pressure falls within this range, learn how to test your water pressure. It's a good skill to learn. Checking your water pressure a few times a year can help you detect problems before they get worse.
Remove the valve cap from the stem on the tire to expose the metal pin. If you have an air pressure tool, the back is equipped with a small piece specifically designed for releasing air pressure. Press down firmly on the pin of the valve using this tool, or another similar item, to release air.
You are more likely to suffer water hammer as well. Especially vulnerable are older steel and flexible plastic pipes used for icemakers and water-purification systems. Your plumber is right; anything above 80 psi (pounds per square inch) is too high and in fact requires a pressure-reducing valve under code.
The required type of PRVs can cost anywhere from $90-$200 and can be purchased at a big box store. A plumber will charge anywhere from $200-$800 for materials and labor but a homeowner with a moderate level of maintenance knowledge might be able to switch out their PRV. Don't water utilities like WCID No.