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.
What is “too high” when it comes to water pressure? For most houses, 80 psi (pounds per square inch) is about right. If the water pressure is over 100 psi, that's too much.
When the water pressure is too high, the hoses and internal components of your appliances are exposed to conditions that can lead to excessive wear or a complete failure. Not only does this increase the risk that the appliance may fail prematurely it may also void the warranty.
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.
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.
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. Remember to make small adjustments at a time and continually check the pressure for accurate and safe results.
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.
High water pressure puts a lot of unnecessary strain on your home's plumbing system. This often leads to loosened joints or pinhole leaks in the pipes. Left unrepaired, leaking pipes are likely to cause mould growth and other serious water damage to your home.
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.
A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter. If your pressure gauge reading was low, make slight adjustments to your regulator.
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.
Consider calling a professional if the water pressure reading goes above 80 psi.
According to statistics, water pressure above 80 psi (pounds per square inch) causes the failure of water fixtures. The most common signs are spitting or leaking faucets, especially if it's out of the cold tap.
Your area's water needs may have changed, causing the increase in pressure. Your water pressure regulator may be broken. They're designed to control the water pressure in individual houses, but just like any piece of equipment it won't last forever.
After a while, the intense pressure bursts open your pipes from which water can leak out. Typically, a destructive force ranging between 25,000–114,000 PSI can easily make your water pipes expand and rapture. Because of the damage from frozen pipes, your plumber may suggest that you have all your faucets put on a drip.
Symptoms of high water pressure in a house include: A knocking, banging or hammering noise coming from the pipes when you turn on a faucet in the house (this is known as a “water hammer”). Leaky faucets. Irregular water pressure in your showers and sinks, or water that comes out in spurts.
However, when low water pressure originates from an issue specific to your home, such as a water pipe or your pressure regulator fails, plumbing repairs can correct the problem.
A limit of 80 psi (551.6 kPa) is the maximum static pressure of any water supply system.
A hot water heater is an important part of your home's plumbing system. It provides hot water to all the fixtures and appliances connected to it. But if your hot water heater is under too much pressure, it can cause problems like leaks and even explosions.
It means center tread wear, an uncomfortable ride, and increased risk for a blowout. Note that a few PSI over your recommended tire pressure generally won't put you in the danger zone. After all, tire pressure fluctuates with the outside temperature.
Some of the first signs of a failing pressure regulator are a leaking water heater or commode. The water coming from a faucet may also exit with such force that splashing or water “hammering” may occur.
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.
A high psi can make it difficult (if not impossible) to shower comfortably, wash your hands, or handwash your dishes. Even though high water pressure can make showering and washing painful, it can also cause problems for your home's plumbing system.
If your water pressure seems low, the first step should be to test how much pressure you're actually getting from the shower head. A typical home's water pressure should be somewhere between 45 to 55 psi (pounds per square inch).