How High Water Pressure Affects Your Plumbing
Picture this: You’ve had a long day at work, and your spouse got caught in traffic. Now you’ve got all the kids asking you questions, needing help with homework, and somehow dinner is burning. Your normally calm Orange County home feels like it’s falling apart.
Safe to say, too much pressure makes everything harder—for you and your plumbing. And just like a stressed-out parent, your pipes and appliances will eventually show signs of total exhaustion.
Before your over-stressed plumbing leaves you with broken appliances and burst pipes, here’s how to spot the warning signs and what to do about them.
Dangers of High Water Pressure
High water pressure might seem like a good thing. A mother knows there’s nothing better than a strong, hot shower, but behind the scenes, too much water pressure is dangerous for your plumbing.
Here’s what happens when the pressure gets too high:
- Shortened Lifespan of Appliances – Your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater can only handle so much pressure before the hoses and internal components start to wear out.
- Higher Utility Bills – Higher pressure means more water is flowing through your pipes. Raising your water bills in the process.
- Leaky and Burst Pipes – Pipe joints and seals aren’t that flexible—there’s only so much space for water to go. Over time, high water pressure wears down pipe walls, leading to pinhole leaks or full-blown bursts. Either way, you’re looking at water damage, pipe repairs, and unnecessary headaches.
- Noise Behind Walls – That thunk, thunk, thunk noise that has your kids thinking there’s a monster in the walls? It’s actually your pipes begging for help!
Think of it like this: remember when your kids were learning to pour juice into a cup, but they kept pouring, and pouring, and pouring until it overflowed? That’s what your plumbing deals with when your water pressure is too high.
How to Regulate Your Water Pressure
The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice a strong water flow to fix water pressure. In most cases, there’s a simple fix. And when it’s done, right? You still get to enjoy great showers without putting your pipes through the wringer.
If your plumbing is under too much pressure, here’s how we can help:
- Pressure Regulator Check – A faulty pressure regulator is often the culprit. This valve sets all the incoming water to a safe pressure for your home. We can adjust or replace it to keep your plumbing system safe.
- Expansion Tank Installation – If your water heater is putting too much pressure on the tank, you might need an expansion tank. This upgrade gives your water heater the breathing room to safely handle the excess pressure.
- Water Pressure Testing – Not sure if your pressure is too high? Every Barker and Sons plumbing inspection comes with a water pressure test—because a mother knows these things!
Barker and Sons Keeps Your Plumbing (and Life) Calm
When life gets overwhelming, it helps to take a deep breath. It also helps when your plumbing isn’t adding to the chaos. Whether you need a system check or you’re ready to start talking solutions, reach out to us today. Don’t wait until high water pressure is adding pressure to your life.
