Constant stress of high water pressure wears out pipe joints over time andl you could end up with small pinhole leaks that go unnoticed. High pressure also causes water hammer, which happens when fast moving water is suddenly stopped by something like a faucet turning off.
Do All Homes Have a Water Pressure Regulator? No, and in some cases, you may not need one. Certain municipal supplies regulate their water pressure safely, but if that pressure runs above 80 psi, you'll want to protect your plumbing system by installing one.
Without a PRV, a home's pipes are subject to constant strain that deteriorate them over time. This can cause cracks to form in the pipes and lead to water damage in the home. In homes with high water pressure, regulators are essential in keeping the pipes and appliances running smoothly.
What is a pressure regulator? Not all residences in the city have a pressure regulator, also called a pressure reducing valve (PRV). But if you do maintenance it is sometimes required. A water pressure regulator is a plumbing valve that reduces the water pressure coming from the main water line into the house.
Put simply, while it may not happen immediately, water flowing at a rate in excess of that necessary to fulfill routine fixture or appliance demands can become damaging, wasteful, and reduce the life expectancy of equipment in the system.
A Relief valve protects the pump or piping from any blockages in the line. Blockages could be caused by an accidental closing of a shut off valve. If a relief valve is not installed and the pressure inside the pressure tank goes higher than the capacity, there will be severe system failures.
Water pressure is measured in psi, or pounds per square inch, and represents the force at which water enters your home from the water main. 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.
If you have an older home, your plumbing system may not have a pressure reducing valve. A pressure reducing valve reduces the pressure of the incoming water to a force that is compatible with your home's plumbing system. It protects your plumbing and water source.
High water pressure puts excess strain on your plumbing system, including your pipes, seals and appliances that use water. As high volumes of water are forced through, the parts that make up your plumbing system are stressed by the pressure which can lead to a variety of problems.
Typically, water pressure regulators cost about $50 to $100 on average1, though you could end up paying up to $2001 depending on the size of incoming water line.
Water pressure regulator replacement: $250 to $1,000. Pipe section replacement: $500 to $4,000.
Water Pressure Readings
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.
The life expectancy of your regulator is 10 to 15 years, but plumbing professionals suggest changing it once every eight years. The most common results of a bad water regulator are low or high water pressure. Running a pressure test can determine if your water pressure is too high or low.
Reducing the pressure from 100 psi to 50 psi will result in a saving of approximately 1/3 because 1/3 less water flows at this lower pressure. Remember, there is more "push" behind the water at 100 psi than at 50 psi and most of this water is wasted.
When a pressure regulator fails, it could cause a sudden increase or decrease in water pressure. A common reason for failure is sediment build up in the valve, which could cause blockages, pump problems, and short cycling.
Leaking Fixtures and Burst Hoses
This may even create a pinhole leak, which appears only when the damage to your walls or ceiling has been done. According to statistics, water pressure above 80 psi (pounds per square inch) causes the failure of water fixtures.
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.
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.
Banging or Clanging Noises in Pipes
This is a sign that the pressure in your pipes is already extremely high, and the shuddering is your pipes adapting to the pressure increasing when you turn off the water. This also means that you could find yourself dealing with plumbing leaks within a short period of time.
The ideal water pressure for a house will be somewhere in the range of about 45 to 65 psi. Anything higher than 80 psi can cause damage, and anything much lower than 45 psi may result in issues when you use your shower, toilet, dishwasher and other water-consuming appliances.
Many toilets really do leak only at night; that's because people use much less water during these hours and in many municipal water systems, the water pressure rises considerably during this time.
The life expectancy of a water pressure regulator is most commonly in the range of 10 to 15 years. However, you may see a regulator malfunction at three years and one still properly functioning at 20 years old if regularly maintained.
The difference between a pressure regulator and a pressure relief valve is that relief valve is a safety feature, used as a last stop measure to prevent any accidents. Whereas, a pressure regular works within the system to maintain a steady pressure level the entire time.
Since the pressure relief valve removes excess hot water from your unit, it will naturally leak some water from time to time. But if it leaks excessively and often, you'll need to take a look at the valve.