By James Bailey, Bailey Plumbing
If your home’s plumbing system were a person, water pressure would be its blood pressure—and just like in your body, unchecked pressure can spell disaster.
While many factors can lead to plumbing system failure, such as faulty parts, poor installation, or simple wear and tear, high water pressure is the most overlooked and destructive culprit, especially here in the Bay Area. It silently wreaks havoc on pipes, fittings, and valves over time, leading to sudden and costly breakdowns.
In this post, I’ll explain:
- Why water pressure matters.
- How it causes damage.
- What you can do to monitor and regulate it.
What Is “High Water Pressure,” and Why Is It Dangerous?
Ideal water pressure for your home sits between 50 and 70 PSI (pounds per square inch). Anything above that is considered “high.” But here’s the catch—pressure isn’t constant.
During the day, when everyone’s showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry, the pressure in your pipes might be manageable. But at night, when water demand drops, the pressure spikes dramatically. I’ve seen it surge as high as 200 PSI—far beyond what residential plumbing parts are built to handle.
Why does this matter? Most pipes can withstand that pressure, but parts like angle stops, supply lines, and fittings can’t. Over time, as these components age, they become even less capable of handling stress. Think of it like an old, brittle artery giving way under extreme pressure—resulting in a catastrophic leak.
How to Tell If Your Water Pressure Is Too High
Because modern fixtures have flow restrictors, high pressure isn’t always obvious. You might only notice it at an outdoor hose bib, where water shoots out with unusual force.
Here’s a quick way to check:
- Buy a water pressure gauge for about $15 at a hardware store.
- Attach it to an outdoor spigot (hose bib).
- Ensure no water is running inside your home.
- Turn on the spigot and read the pressure.
If the gauge reads above 70 PSI, your system has high pressure, and it’s time to take action.
How to Fix High Water Pressure
The solution is straightforward: install a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) on your main water line. A PRV regulates incoming water pressure, protecting your pipes, valves, and fixtures from stress and premature failure.
Already have a PRV but still experiencing high pressure? It might be worn out. Over time, the internal components (like the diaphragm) can fail. If adjusting the PRV doesn’t work, it’s likely time for a replacement.
Don’t Forget About Thermal Expansion
When you add a PRV, your system becomes closed, meaning water can’t flow backward toward the city supply. This creates another potential issue: thermal expansion in your water heater.
As water heats up, it expands—sometimes by up to 8%! Without a place to go, that extra pressure can rupture pipes, fittings, or even the water heater itself. The solution? Install a thermal expansion tank (a small tank with an air bladder) on the cold inlet side of your water heater. It gives expanding water a safe place to go, preventing costly damage.
Why You Should Act Now
Unchecked water pressure might not seem urgent, but it’s a ticking time bomb. The most common time for pipes to burst is at night, when pressure peaks. Imagine waking up to a flooded home—or worse, not realizing until hours later.
For a small investment in a PRV and thermal expansion tank, you can avoid thousands of dollars in repairs and headaches.
If you’re unsure about your home’s water pressure or need help protecting your plumbing system, give us a call at Bailey Plumbing. We’re here to keep your pipes healthy, strong, and reliable for years to come.
Contact us today at www.baileyplumbinginc.com or call 408-701-7037.
