Home > A Step Above Plumbing Blog > Common Plumbing Questions: Is there Such a Thing as too Much Water Pressure?

One of the biggest complaints that hotels get is when the water pressure makes for an underwhelming shower experience. You know that you aren’t especially happy if your home water pressure is less than you’d like either. But, could the opposite be true? Is there such a thing as too much water pressure? Obviously, if the pressure was akin to what comes out of a fire hose and blasts you against the shower wall, it is too much, but you should know that a high water pressure condition is dangerous and can result in costly plumbing repairs.

Common Plumbing Questions: Is there Such a Thing as too Much Water Pressure?

When the water pressure is too high because of a malfunctioning pressure reducing valve, there is undue pressure on the plumbing in your home. That means all pipes are at risk of bursting, causing thousands of dollars of water damage to your home and belongings. From there, consider everywhere the water travels to. Everything in its path is at risk – water hoses to appliances, ice makers, clamps, water heater, plumbing fixtures, and so forth.

Damage to your home is bad enough, but if something blows out at the wrong moment, a serious injury could be experienced. If you want to avoid the potential for damages and injury, the best thing to do is test your home’s water pressure from time to time. This can be done by a plumbing company or you can purchase a water pressure gauge and connect it to an outdoor hose bibb for 24 hours. If the peak pressure reading it shows is higher than 80 psi, you should call a plumbing professional.

Here at A Step Above Plumbing Inc., we are happy to assist you with determining what the water pressure is in your home and resolving a problem with pressure that is too low or too high. Don’t run the risk of a costly repair when it is far more affordable to get a replacement pressure reducing valve if that is needed. Contact us today with any questions you may have about this or any of our plumbing services.