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Water pressure is never glamorous, but it sure is essential. When many homeowners think about water pressure problems, they usually think about low water pressure. As a resident of Dalworthington, TX, there is nothing worse than a low-pressure shower in the morning to ensure you have a bad day at the office.

However, while low water pressure presents us with direct inconvenience, high water pressure is not also good. On the surface, high water pressure might feel great. All that pressure means you get to wash your car fast; the showers under high water pressure in Dalworthington, TX, are not so bad either.

Unfortunately, the high water pressure you are celebrating might lead to several costly plumbing problems. Everyday we get enquires whether replacing the boiler or your pipes is the only way to improve water pressure. Most of the time, this is not necessary.

The Recommended Water Pressure

Most residential areas in Dalworthington, TX, receive their water from the municipal water provider. Other areas utilize groundwater sources like reservoirs, rivers, and lakes. Irrespective of the source, all the water streams into treatment first. Afterward, it goes into pressure tanks to be pumped to your home.

Any plumber can tell you that many factors influence your home’s water pressure. From the elevation of your building to the height of the tank tower and the number of households connected, there are many reasons why you might be struggling with high or low water pressure.

Residential water pressure should range anywhere between 45 and 80 pounds per square inch. Any measurement below 40 psi is considered low water pressure, while anything over 80 psi is considered as high water pressure. Although low water pressure is more of a nuisance than a serious problem, high water pressure comes with catastrophic risks and damages. If you are facing high water pressure, it might be time to call in a professional plumber before it is too late.

How to Test Water Pressure

The easiest way plumbers determine your water pressure is by using a pressure gauge to test the incoming pressure from the Dalworthington, TX, municipal. Another way of identifying if you have water problems is by checking with your neighbors. Commonly, one pipe might be supplying water for more than one home. If the neighbors have been doing plumbing works for their homes and seem to be experiencing water problems, the water pressure problems might be from the municipal.

If you are the only one experiencing water problems, you should call in a plumber. The best thing about hiring a professional plumber from Benjamin Franklin is that our plumbers might uncover underlying issues before it is too late.

Why Should You Care About High Water Pressure?

Issues associated with high water pressure tend to sneak up on us. Take it like high blood pressure. When you visit the doctor, it is standard procedure to measure your blood pressure. High blood pressure is an early warning for a possible disaster in the future.

Any professional plumber can tell you that water pressure works in the same way. When you detect it early, the better your chances of avoiding costly repairs in the future from an expert plumber. Additionally, high water pressure is not only an individual problem. Water use is usually high, and something should be done to stop it. Around 30,000 to 40,000 gallons of water could be saved annually if every home operated at the maximum recommended water pressure.

Here are a few other reasons why you need to be wary of high water pressure in your home:

It damages your pipes. Water is silently mighty. Exposing your plumbing to high water pressure over long periods could damage your pipes without you even knowing. The high water pressure causes small leaks, which can lead to mold or structural damage. In the end, high water pressure might also lead to pipes bursting.

It causes wear and tear on appliances. High water pressure is an appliance killer. It might not be so suitable for your state-of-the-art washing machine you traded your last paycheck for last month. High water pressure cuts the lifespan of appliances, and you might end up replacing them faster than you expected. This wear and tear even applies to smaller fixtures like toilets, showerheads, and faucets. Seek advice from professional plumbers which water pressure is suitable for your home.

It can cause your water heater to shut down. Fundamental physics dictates that water expands when exposed to heat. However, your water heater has a thermal expansion tank to help deal with that extra volume due to expansion. Unfortunately, when your water pressure is continuously high, the water heater might run out of space to accommodate the water. So what do you think happens next? We can tell you it will not be cheap or pretty and you will absolutely need a plumber.

Higher Utility bills. When water pressure is high, you are using more water every time you turn on a faucet. Adding all that up, in the end, shows that you will use more water for your regular everyday tasks. As a resident of Dalworthington, TX, where you have to pay for the water used, this might end up costing you. If you notice high water bills in your home contact a plumber

Can Cause Total Plumbing System Failure. High water pressure not only damages the appliances in your home, but also it can lead to full system failure. Left unchecked by a plumber for a long time, high water pressure could mean replacing your entire plumbing system from scratch.

Symptoms of High Water Pressure

High water pressure is never a good thing. If you are experiencing high water pressure problems, it is vital to act quickly to avoid damage to your home’s plumbing system. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that several seemingly harmless plumbing problems are signs that your water pressure might be too high.

Below are a few signs that you may be dealing with high water pressure without even knowing it:

Leaking Faucets or Fixtures

Did your faucet start dripping for no reason recently? Or does your toilet turn on and start refilling even if it has not been used the whole day? These signs might be an indication that you might be experiencing high pressure.

Although repairing these fixtures might be the easy way out, you might experience repeated leaking even if you do. The safest way to deal with this problem is to make sure you contact a plumber before you are forced to spend a fortune on repairs.

Leaking Pipes

Under the recommended water pressure, pipe leaks and failures might be extra rare. However, under too much water pressure, your pipes are like balloons overfilled with air. A pinhole leak can lead to a more significant gap where water can continuously flow out.

These leaks are hard to identify since they make no noise and might occur in places where your pipes are completely hidden. Over time, your pipes might completely burst to cause catastrophic plumbing in a matter of minutes. This problem could mean immense damage to your home and possessions. A professional plumber is your best bet in solving this problem.

Banging or Knocking Noises

If you hear knocking noises when you turn off the water, it might be a sign that the water pressure in your house might be too high. These noises come from the high water flow, suddenly stopping, and the momentum is looking for somewhere else to go.

Since the water has nowhere to go, it builds up enormous pressure on the walls of your pipes. In turn, this might lead to numerous leaks or complete bursting of the pipes. Be sure to listen to avoid costly damages from high water pressure.

Premature Appliance Failure

When you break the bank on certain household appliances, you expect them to last you a lifetime. Although this is hardly ever the case, some devices are designed to last long, depending on the quality and frequency of usage.

Have you noticed that your appliances like washing machines, icemakers, and even water filters are breaking down frequently? You could be experiencing high water pressure and need a plumber. If there is too much pressure on these appliances, the water can damage their pressure regulators, causing damage to important components inside the devices.

If your dishwasher fails many years before its lifespan—roughly half a decade, the problem could be with your water pressure and not the water quality. You end up facing expensive consequences to small issues that are not difficult to fix for any Benjamin Franklin plumber.

Other items that might be affected include:

• Ballcock fill regulator inside of your toilet tank
• Washing machine solenoid valves
• Dishwasher solenoid valve
• Water heater life span
• All of your faucets – including the shower valve cartridges inside your tub and shower –
• All of the flexible water supply connectors
• Emergency shutoff valves

Causes of High Water Pressure

The most common cause of high water pressure is the municipal supply. Depending on your location, the water company might deliver water at high pressure. This feature is often seen when they might be required to service tall buildings or areas above sea level.

Believe it or not, your home’s location is also a reason for your high water pressure. If your house is located at the bottom of the hill, gravity might add to the pressure that is used to reach your home.

Living near a fire hydrant might be another cause of high water pressure. Since fire hydrants need high pressure, they can cause the main water going to your house.

Another possible cause for this phenomenon could be thermal expansion. Above-average temperatures in your home may contribute to heating up the water in your pipes. Moreover, your water heater also causes water to expand. The more the water expands due to heat, the more pressure it exerts on your pipes. This reason is why you should always keep your water heater to a moderate temperature setting. Ask a plumber for the right temperature to operate your water heater.

At the end of the day, high water pressure is usually something out of your control. All you can do is to identify it and take the necessary steps to regulate the pressure passing into your home.

What Can You Do About High Water Pressure?

If your water pressure is over 80psi, you should have a pressure regulator installed on your mainline. This device helps to protect your appliances and overall plumbing system, saving you money on costly repairs and replacements in the future.

Regrettably, installing a pressure regulator is something that should only be done by a certified plumber. The installation requires locating the pipes where the valve should be installed, digging up to three or five feet, and so much more. Trying to fix it yourself is not only strenuous, but you may also end up causing more problems to your plumbing without even knowing it. Unless you are experienced in plumbing, it will be best to hire a professional from Benjamin Franklin to get the job done quickly.

Need To Check Your Home’s Water Pressure? Contact Us

Luckily, it is never too late to solve any water pressure related issues. If you have noticed leaky pipes, strange noises, dripping faucets, or you had your water pressure tested, it is best to call in a professional plumbing company like Benjamin Franklin of Fort Worth, to get your water running, as it should.

At Benjamin Franklin of Fort Worth, we are dedicated to offering dependable, customized services for all of our clients. With us, you are assured that we always take risks to find and solve any issues that may arise with your plumbing system. Although we have a vast experience in dealing with high water pressure in many homes, our services also stretch out to new installations, plumbing repair works, installations, maintenance, and much more. We also offer emergency services for residents in your area.

We also understand that allowing someone into your home or professional space comes with its set of concerns. That is why we do thorough background checks on all our plumbers. We also ensure that they pass through regular tests to keep them up to date with all that is new in the plumbing industry.

When you hire a plumber through us, you can rest assured that they will deliver quality for your money. If you suspect you have high water pressure, or you just need a regular install, our experts are always ready to help you solve your problem. Just give us a call.