Can High Water Pressure Cause Pipe Damage in Your Home?

Not much is more frustrating than low water pressure—that slow trickle of water dripping out as you try washing dishes or showering. But can high water pressure cause pipe damage in your home? It can! High water pressure can be as concerning as low water pressure in your home since it causes more wear on your pipes. Keep reading to learn more about the impact, causes, and how to deal with this issue.

Its Impact on Your Pipes

High water pressure can cause pipes to leak because the higher pressure applies a lot more force on your pipes, and this could cause them to leak or burst. In turn, this also raises your water bill and could damage your water systems. Contact Complete Trenchless for pipe bursting contractors if you need a plumber in the Seattle Washington area.

How does this affect other areas of your home? All that excess pressure means more rushes out of plumbing fixtures. Similarly, this may impact your water heater—plus other plumbing fixtures—because there is too much water for it to handle.

The Impact on Plumbing fixtures

When your water pressure is too high, your appliances may also see the effects since this could strain them, shortening their expected lifespan. This can happen to both older and newer appliances as high water pressure forces them to work harder than intended.

Causes of High Water Pressure

Typically, high water pressure occurs when your city water supplier pumps out more water at a higher rate to meet the growing needs of a community. However, some households also experience fluctuations in water pressure if they live near a hydrant since it requires more water pressure. Keep in mind that while these aren’t the only causes of high water pressure, these are two common ones.

The Signs of High Water Pressure

The good news is that there are various signs around the home you should look out for if you believe something has gone awry with your water pressure. Some of the most common signs of high water pressure around your home include:

• Bangs from pipes
• Leaky faucets
• Noisy appliances
• Short hot water supply
• High water bills

Make sure you check your faucets and other appliances for signs that something is wrong, especially if your water bill recently peaked without any explanation. Recognizing these signs tells you it’s time to call a professional for an inspection or repair.

Banging From Pipes

If you start to hear a loud “banging” sound from your pipes, it’s time to call a plumber, as this is typically your home’s way of telling you that the water pressure is too high. Experts refer to this banging as a “water hammer” due to the nature of the sound. You should call an expert right away because this could lead to a loose connection or breakage.

Leaky Faucets

Have you noticed one of your faucets continuously dripping? While this could be an issue with that plumbing fixture, it may also signify high water pressure, specifically when seen alongside the other signs.

In addition to leaky faucets, you may also notice your toilet continues running long after you flushed it. This occurs because the excess water pressure causes the valve to wear out. High water pressure impacts many plumbing fixtures within your home.

Noisy Appliances

Whether you turn on the dishwater, washing machine, or another appliance, it may be louder than usual. In addition to this, high water pressure could cause these appliances to leak, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Low Hot Water Supply

You may have tried taking a nice shower only for the hot water to run out in no time. A low hot water supply occurs because the high pressures cause your hot water tank to refill too quickly, and the cold water takes over, thus creating less hot water. This constant filling and heating of the water tank also explain how high pressure could ruin your hot water tank.

Like your other appliances and plumbing fixtures, you may notice your water heater leaking. Keep in mind that damage is especially likely if the water pressure gauge is over 80 PSI, as you ideally want this to remain between 40 and 60 PSI.

High Water Bills

The occasional high water bill makes sense. You may spend more time watering the lawn or filling the pool in spring and summer. Likewise, if you take frequent baths or temporarily increase your water intake, you’ll notice it on your bill. However, there’s a reason for concern when there’s little to no change in usage habits, yet your water bills spike.

Resolving the Problem

If you spent time looking around your home and checking off many of the above signs, it’s time to resolve this problem before it worsens since waiting could mean further damage to your home. It’s always best to be proactive with these kinds of issues since ignoring them could mean severe damage to your home, and no one wants that.

Remember that high water pressure is not a repair you want to hold off on since this could cause a pipe to burst. It also forces water fixtures to work harder than necessary. You risk damaging your appliances, plumbing fixtures, and more by putting off a repair. A plumber can inspect your waterline and test the pressure gauge to determine whether the high water pressure is the problem or if it’s something else.

Contact Complete Trenchless

Now that you know high water pressure causes pipe damage in your home, it’s time to find a reputable company for repair. Those residing in Seattle, Washington, and the surrounding area should reach out to Complete Trenchless for a company that offers quality, honesty, and integrity to ensure a job well done.

Complete Trenchless explains the entire repair process to the customer, so you know what you’re in for if a repair is necessary. As experts in the industry with over 50 years of experience, we can solve almost any problem, so your home plumbing system will be up and running again in no time!