In this day and age, we all seemingly live our lives under too much pressure. We know that it is bad for us. It is even worse for our plumbing. Water pressure is what makes the water flow through the pipes and into the fixtures around our homes. It is the plumbing of our houses that distributes and controls the pressure.
There are two ways that water pressure may be provided. The first way is via a municipal water supply. In this case, water is provided at a higher pressure than your home can tolerate. In this case, there is a pressure reducer in the water line to your home that protects your plumbing fixtures from the high water pressure the municipality provides. In the second case, water is pumped from an onsite well. Pressure provided this way is too low to supply a home with sufficient water. The well pump is designed to lift water from the bottom of the well up to the surface, but not to feed the home’s fixtures. A special holding tank is installed in the line from the well to the house that boosts the water pressure to meet the needs of the home.
The Uniform Plumbing Code specifies that water for domestic use should be supplied at a pressure of 50-70 pounds per square inch (PSI.) Pressure reducers, also called pressure regulators, and pressure boosters are set to provide water pressure within that acceptable range. The plumbing and fixtures within the home are designed to withstand pressures up to 80 PSI without damage.
Water pressure is measured by using a water pressure gauge attached to an outdoor faucet. Such a gauge can be purchased at a hardware store or home improvement center. The faucet must be “regulated.” “Regulated” means that the faucet is subject to the same pressure control apparatus as the rest of the house. An “unregulated” faucet has no pressure control associated with it. If the faucet comes out of the side of the house, it is most likely regulated.
If the home requires a pressure reducer, parts of that reducer can wear out over time and cause the home to receive high water pressure. Water pressure that is too high can cause plumbing pipe leaks, especially at joints. It can also cause burst pipes. Appliance hoses, like those that feed water to a washing machine, can burst and flood large areas of an unattended home before the damage is discovered. That is why it is recommended to change those hoses every two to five years. High water pressure can also damage toilet valves. If, upon using a water pressure gauge, high pressure is discovered, it is important to repair or replace the pressure reducer.
The opposite problem exists if a booster tank malfunctions or develops a leak. Water will trickle out of the tap or nor come at all. Water may trickle from a first floor tap and not reach the second floor at all. There may be some water leakage at the site of the booster tank (usually, in the basement.) Booster tanks most often need replacement as opposed to repair. If the problem is not discovered promptly, the well pump will keep running and eventually burn out its motor.
It is better for the average homeowner to call a plumber when work is needed on any pressure control device. A lot is riding on the outcome. It also pays to check with the providers of any municipal water supply before performing any work. It is important to discover who is responsible for what repairs and what standards must be met to conform to local building codes. No matter how much pressure you may be under, it pays to see that your home gets the correct water pressure.
