Most people do not stop to think about what the water pressure in their home is set at. Water pressure between 50 and 60 psi is normal, but many people don't realize that their water pressure may be as high as 160 psi. As long as the water does not come out slowly, home-owners remain unaware of the risks that high water pressure pose to their home. High water pressure reduces the lifespan of appliances, damage pipes and joints, potentially cause flooding, and may even present dangers to your family.

There are certain things that will indicate that you may have problems with high water pressure in your home. Pressure relief valves on water heaters may start to vent steam, joints may end up having frequent leaks. One of the most telling signs that people ignore is a banging in the pipes that occurs when water is shut off. This banging is caused by the water vibrating and causing back pressure because of the force the water is moving at suddenly being stopped, when the fixture is shut off.

Because of the stress that high water pressure puts on joints and pipes, leaks are a much more likely occurrence. A ruptured pipe can cause serious damage. In a single story home, an inch of flood water can cause damages of over four thousand dollars. If a pipe on a second story home ruptures, the damages can exceed eight thousand easily. When houses are damaged by floods, it can be a long and expensive fight against mold and mildew.

High water pressure damages appliances as well. The force that water is fed through the appliances can wear down seals and reduce their lifespan. In some cases this will void warranties on the appliances as well. The banging pipes, associated with high water pressure, can cause cracks and weakness in the plumbing of the appliances. This is caused by the water pressure creating a back pressure when it is shut down according to a Dallas plumber we spoke to.

This same hammering can damage pipes and plumbing fixtures throughout the house. The results will typically be seen as leaking faucets, dripping joints, and other water leaks. These leaks are expensive, because they increase your monthly water bill, and potentially dangerous. Imagine a joint that breaks are begins leaking near an electrical outlet. A hidden drip in a wall that begins to grow mold and mildew, can cause illness without ever being found according to a San Diego plumber we interviewed.

Additional pressures, such as heated water, may create an unsafe situation. While water heaters are designed with a pressure relief valve, if it malfunctions or remains shut, it could cause a water heater to burst. Gas or electric heaters may also create unsafe electrical and fire hazards if a take is compromised according to a Boston plumber we spoke to.

Contacting a plumber, at the first hint of trouble, is the first step to preventing damage like this. Plumbers can add the components into your plumbing system to make sure that water pressure is kept under control. It is recommended to have pressure and major plumbing components inspected every three to four years to discover problems, before they become something far more damaging.