Importance of Proper Water Pressure In Your Home
If you notice high or low water pressure in bathroom or kitchen faucets or in your washing machine or dishwasher, there may be a problem with your plumbing system. If there is a problem, you need to address it right away.
High or low water pressure can damage your pipes, fixtures, or appliances, which costs you more money in the long run. If the problem is severe, you’ll need to contact a plumber in Evanston, Illinois to inspect your system and make the necessary repairs. Below, we look at the importance of propert water pressure in your home.
What Is Water Pressure?
Water pressure occurs when water forces its way through your plumbing system. There are two main sources of water pressure in plumbing.
1. Elevation
The rule is simple. The higher the water the faster the downflow. If the water is coming from a higher elevation point it will flow swiftly into your plumbing system. If the water soure is coming from a point that is higher than your house, you are likely to have high water pressure. If your house is higher than the water source, you’ll need a reservoir to pump it.
2. Reservoir
Water reservoirs come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the most common reservoirs are water towers, banks, artificial lakes, damns, and diversions. What all reservoirs have in common is the need for a massive water source, like the ocean, rivers, lakes, or springs. The purpose of the reservoir is to collect and distribute water to your house.
Why Is the Right Water Pressure Important?
Few things are as relaxing as a hot shower with full water pressure. However, the importance of proper water pressure extends beyond your comfort. There are practical reasons why your plumbing system needs balanced water pressure.
The most important reason for proper water pressure is that it preserves your pipes. Your entire plumbing system depends on the water to flow at just the right pressure throughout the day. If the water pressure is too high or too low, it can damage your plumbing system, including the septic tank, sump pump, pipes, and fixtures.
What Should the Water Pressure Be in My House?
The ideal water pressure should be 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). At that setting, water should have a natural flow that feels balanced. It’s not trickling, and it’s not spouting. Instead, the water is continuously flowing through the pipes.
If your house has a built-in water regulator and wants more pressure, you can bump it a little. However, the pressure should never exceed 80 PSI. If the water pressure reaches 100 PSI, it can cause severe damage to your plumbing system and your appliances.
Low Water Pressure vs. High Water Pressure
Once the water pressure in your plumbing system loses its balance, you can expect problems to emerge soon after. What happens if your plumbing has low water pressure or high water pressure?
Low Water Pressure
There are several signs of low water pressure.
- Leaky pipes
- Pipe corrosion or rust
- Mineral buildup
- Malfunctioning shut-off valve or regulator
- Poor water distribution
- Clogged or blocked pipes
Low water pressure can disrupt your household in several ways. Showers can take longer. It can also take longer to fill up your washing machine. Dishwashers don’t wash dishes as well.
Plus, your faucets don’t drain as well as they should. Mineral buildup happens at a faster rate. When your pipes don’t flush properly, they will rust and corrode faster due to buildup.
High Water Pressure
There are several signs of high water pressure.
- There is too much water from the reservoir or distribution system.
- Your house is much lower in elevation than the water source.
- Faulty or damaged water pressure regulator.
Most of the time, high water pressure does not disrupt your household. Therefore, you may not think there’s a problem. However, high water pressure can wreak havoc with your plumbing system. You may experience premature appliance damage, pipe and fixture damage or leaks, banging pipes, or water hammer.
What Can I do if My Water Pressure Is Not Right?
Correcting the water pressure in your house is a highly technical job that requires the expertise of a licensed plumber in Evanston, Illinois and possibly the assistance of your utility company.
The first thing you can do if you notice high or low water pressure is to inspect the water pressure regulator, which is an easy fix. If your home has a regulator, it will likely be located near the main shut off valve on the main water line. The regulator may have a gauge so that you can check the PSI. Adjust the regulator to 40 to 60 PSI.
If the problem is not the water regulator, then you need to contact a specialist for plumbing repair services in Evantson. A plumber can inspect your system, diagnose the problem, and correct the water pressure in your plumbing system.
Schedule Professional Plumbing Repair in Evanston, Illinois
If you have high or low water pressure, now is the time to get it fixed. J. Blanton Plumbing offers complete plumbing repair services in Evanston, Illinois. To schedule a plumbing inspection, fill out our contact form or gives us a call.