High Water Pressure Signs and Problems

Comparing high water pressure to high blood pressure significantly strains the system. With excessively high water pressure, your home plumbing system bears the brunt. However, it’s crucial to determine the threshold beyond which water pressure becomes excessive and recognize the warning signs indicating excessively high water pressure in your home. Above all, it’s essential to understand how to rectify this issue.

High Water Pressure Issues and Signs

Let’s delve into several plumbing problems that suggest your water pressure may be excessively high. Suppose you observe any of these six typical indicators of elevated water pressure within your home. In that case, it is advisable to contact a licensed plumber in Toronto to conduct a thorough investigation.

Leaky Pipes

Excessive water pressure places significant and avoidable stress on the plumbing system in your home. This frequently results in loosened joints or the development of pinhole leaks within the pipes. If left unattended, pipe leaks can lead to mould growth and severe water damage to your home.

Unfortunately, these small drips often occur in concealed areas such as behind walls, ceilings, or under floors, where the damage can accumulate unnoticed. Over time, the hidden damage can cause decay, emit unpleasant odours, or spread across a substantial area, capturing your attention.

It can be frustrating to discover these issues only when they have already become severe or evident enough to demand your immediate attention.

We have also provided a complete guide for fixing leaky pipes for DIY lovers.

Water Hammer in Your Plumbing Pipes

When you suddenly shut off a kitchen or bathroom faucet, you may experience a distinct and loud banging noise. This noise, commonly referred to as “water hammer” or hydraulic shock, closely resembles the sound of a pounding hammer. It occurs due to the forceful collision of plumbing pipes against each other or the surrounding framework when there is a sudden halt or change in the water flow direction.

Apart from being an annoyance, water hammer can have detrimental effects. It has the potential to loosen plumbing connections or even cause pipe breakage. While the noise is typically more pronounced in metal pipes, it can also pose a danger to PEX and other plastic piping materials.

Excessive water pressure in the main water pipe entering your home is one of the leading causes of water hammer, mainly when the hammering noise is loud. The high pressure creates a surge that leads to forceful impacts within the plumbing system.

Damaged Appliances

Excessively high water pressure can harm your water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher. These appliances are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by high water pressure, to the extent that it may void their warranty.

Therefore, it is essential to watch for any signs of trouble.

Check for leakage and be attentive to any loud noises emitted by your appliances.

These could indicate that the seals or mechanical components of the appliances are undergoing excessive wear and tear due to the high water pressure.

Promptly addressing and resolving the issue of high water pressure can help protect the longevity and functionality of your water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher, preventing potentially costly repairs or replacements.

Increase In Utility Bills

Monitoring your water bills helps detect potential issues related to high water pressure. If you notice a sudden spike in the amount you’re being billed or are paying more for water than a neighbour with a similarly sized home, high water pressure may be a probable cause.

Why does this happen? It’s relatively straightforward. Every time you turn on a tap, you use more water due to the increased pressure. For instance, running a faucet for 10 minutes at 50-PSI pressure typically consumes around 30 gallons of water, whereas the same duration at 60 PSI can result in approximately 36 gallons of water being utilized.

Consequently, this leads to the wastage of water and unnecessary expenditure.

By closely monitoring your water bills and identifying any abnormal increases, you can take proactive measures to address and rectify the issue of high water pressure. This helps conserve water and saves you money in the long run.

Leaky Faucets

If you notice that one or more of your faucets is consistently dripping or if they exhibit symptoms such as spitting or spraying when the water is turned on, these can be warning signs of high water pressure. These issues arise when the water flows out too forcefully from the faucet due to excessive pressure.

These danger signals indicate that the high water pressure is putting strain on your faucet, potentially leading to future repairs or needing replacement. It’s essential to address the underlying cause of the high water pressure to prevent further damage to your faucets and ensure their proper functioning.

Seeking the assistance of a professional residential plumber can help diagnose the issue and implement the necessary measures to correct the water pressure problem, thus safeguarding the longevity of your faucets and minimizing the need for future repairs.

Or, you can learn how to repair leaky faucets with our complete guide for DIYers.

Running Toilets

When you encounter a situation where your toilet appears to keep running or even flushes on its own without any input, it could indicate a faulty fill valve. High water pressure often contributes to the rapid wear and tear of the toilet fill valve, leading to a continuous flow of water from the tank into the bowl.

The increased water pressure strains the fill valve mechanism, causing it to malfunction and allowing water to flow constantly. This wastes water and can result in higher water bills over time.

To address this issue, resolving the underlying problem of high water pressure is essential.

By reducing the water pressure to an appropriate level, you can prolong the lifespan of the fill valve and restore the proper functioning of your toilet. Consulting a professional plumber will assist you in diagnosing and rectifying the water pressure problem and preventing any further issues with your toilet.

How to Know If You Have High Water Pressure?

The most straightforward method to detect high water pressure is through simple observation. If you notice water flowing from your sink with excessive force, it’s advisable to investigate further. Another potential sign is banging noises within your pipes, commonly known as water hammers.

To confirm the pressure levels accurately, you can purchase a pressure gauge and attach it to an outlet hose or faucet near your water meter. Typically, residential plumbing systems are not designed to handle pressures exceeding 80 psi. If your pressure exceeds this limit, it is essential to address the issue. Remember that water pressure can vary throughout the day, so taking readings at different times is advisable to gather a comprehensive data set.

What is the Ideal Water Pressure for Home Plumbing Systems?

The ideal home water pressure is typically 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi). This range ensures sufficient water flow for everyday tasks while minimizing stress on the plumbing system. Most residential plumbing systems are designed and built to accommodate water pressures within this range. It’s important to note that specific local regulations or plumbing codes may provide further guidelines or restrictions regarding water pressure. Consulting with a professional plumber or local authorities can help determine the ideal water pressure for your specific location.

Consequences of High Water Pressure

One of the prevalent consequences of high water pressure is the occurrence of leaks in your plumbing system. These leaks can manifest as tiny pinhole openings, which may only appear intermittently.

Despite their small size, even a minor leak can escalate into significant issues if it happens in a location that can damage your walls or flooring.

Moreover, inconsistent or excessively high water pressure can stress your household appliances, such as your washing machine and water heater, ultimately reducing lifespan. Therefore, it is crucial to address and rectify high water pressure to prevent potential leaks and extend the longevity of your appliances.

What Causes High Water Pressure Problems?

Residing at the base of a hill can frequently contribute to high water pressure as water naturally flows downhill.

Another factor that can lead to elevated water pressure is the deliberate maintenance of high pressure by your local water company, often required to meet the demands of tall buildings or to ensure sufficient water flow for fire hydrants.

Furthermore, high pressure can result from thermal expansion within your home. This occurs when the volume of water changes due to heating from your water heater, causing an increase in pressure.

These factors can contribute to higher-than-normal water pressure, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing water pressure levels to prevent plumbing issues and protect your home and appliances.