How High Water Pressure Could Destroy Your Pipes Without You Knowing

Regarding your home’s plumbing, high water pressure might seem like a good thing, offering strong showers, fast-filling sinks, and plenty of flow. Many homeowners do not know that high water pressure can slowly harm their plumbing system over time. It puts stress on your pipes, appliances, and fixtures, leading to leaks, bursts, and costly repairs.

At Spot On Plumbing, we have seen many cases where high pressure caused serious damage. Often, the homeowner did not even know. To avoid a broken pipe, unexpected water leak, or a full pipe burst, this blog can help. The explanation will cover what is happening, how to spot the signs, and what to do about it.

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Signs Your Water Pressure Is Too High

You don’t need special tools to notice that your water pressure might be too high. Here are some signs to watch for:

  • Banging or knocking sounds in your pipes (called water hammer)

  • Leaky faucets or toilets that won’t stop running

  • Appliances wearing out early, like your dishwasher or washing machine

  • A high water bill even when your usage hasn’t changed

  • Low water pressure in some areas of the home (yes, high pressure can actually lead to low pressure because of damaged pipes)

  • Sudden pipe bursts or leaks without an obvious cause

If you’re dealing with any of these, it might not be just bad luck, it could be your water pressure working against you.

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What Causes High Water Pressure?

A few different reasons might explain why your home has high water pressure:

  • City water supply: Some cities, like parts of Tulsa, send water at high pressure. This helps serve large buildings and fire hydrants. That pressure ends up hitting your home, too.

  • Thermal expansion: When water heats in your water heater, it expands. If there’s nowhere for that extra water to go, pressure builds inside your pipes.

  • A broken or missing pressure-reducing valve (PRV) can cause problems. If your home lacks a PRV or has an old one, you may not control the incoming pressure.

At Spot On Plumbing, our team of plumbers in Tulsa knows how to find and fix these problems. We help prevent damage to your system.

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What Is Considered High Water Pressure?

The average home should have water pressure between 40 and 60 psi (pounds per square inch). Most professionals recommend aiming for about 50 psi. Once the pressure reaches 70 psi or higher, people consider that too much.

We’ve tested homes in Tulsa with pressure well over 100 psi, and those systems were at serious risk for pipe damage.

You can actually check your pressure with a simple gauge you can buy at a hardware store. Just attach it to an outdoor spigot or washing machine hose bib and see what it reads. If it’s high, it’s time to call in help.

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What Is The Solution For High Water Pressure?

The good news? High water pressure is totally fixable.

Here are the most common ways we help homeowners bring their pressure back to safe levels:

  1. Install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) A PRV is a device that lowers the water pressure as it enters your home. If you don’t have one or if your old one isn’t working anymore, we can install or replace it for you.

  2. Add a thermal expansion tank This small tank absorbs extra pressure created when your water heater heats water. It protects your pipes and keeps pressure from spiking.

  3. Schedule a plumbing inspection Our Tulsa plumbers can check your water pressure, inspect your pipes, and catch issues early. We recommend doing this at least once a year to stay ahead of problems.

  4. Monitor and maintain regularly Pressure regulators, like anything else in your home, can wear out. Keeping an eye on things and checking your pressure every few months is a good habit.

When we install these systems for you, we make sure your home stays in that ideal pressure range, safe, efficient, and long-lasting.

Don’t Let Pressure Destroy Your Pipes

If you’re like most homeowners, high water pressure probably isn’t on your radar, but it should be. Left unchecked, it can lead to:

  • Busted pipes

  • Leaks behind walls

  • Water-damaged appliances

  • Full-blown pipe bursts

The signs can be small at first, like a dripping faucet or noisy pipes. People often miss them until the damage occurs.

At Spot On Plumbing, we’re here to help you catch these problems early. If you need a pressure test, a new PRV, or just want peace of mind, our trusted plumbers in Tulsa are just a call away.

High water bills? Low water pressure? Strange leaks? Don’t wait, let’s fix the root of the problem before it gets worse.

Call Spot On Plumbing today for a friendly, pressure-safe plumbing checkup, because your home deserves plumbing that works the way it should. And remember, we’re Your Dog’s Favorite Plumber too!

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