24/7 Emergency Plumbing
(720) 236-3399
Most homes work best between 50 and 70 psi, and plumbing code generally limits household pressure to 80 psi. Pressure above that strains supply lines, fixtures, water heaters and appliances, while pressure below about 40 psi makes showers weak and slows appliance fill times. A simple gauge test tells us where your home stands.
Low pressure can come from a failing pressure reducing valve, a partially closed main valve, mineral scale in aerators, showerheads and old galvanized pipe, a leak in the service line, or an undersized supply line. If the problem is only at one fixture, it is usually the fixture. If it is everywhere, the cause is closer to the main.
High pressure feels great in the shower but it shortens the life of everything connected to your plumbing. Signs include banging pipes, running toilets, dripping faucets, a relief valve that drips on the water heater and burst washing machine hoses. Many Douglas County homes have a pressure reducing valve to control street pressure, and those valves wear out over time.
A pressure reducing valve, or PRV, sits near where the main line enters the house and lowers incoming pressure to a safe level. PRVs typically last 10 to 15 years. When one fails, pressure can creep up or drop suddenly. We test the valve, adjust it if possible and replace it when needed, and we check for a thermal expansion tank since a PRV creates a closed system.
Yes. A simple pressure gauge that screws onto an outdoor hose bib will give you a reading. Test with all water fixtures off. If the reading is above 80 psi or below 40 psi, or if it changes a lot during the day, it is worth having a plumber check the pressure reducing valve and supply line.
Yes. High pressure and thermal expansion stress the tank and cause the relief valve to drip or open. Over time this shortens the life of the heater. A working PRV and a properly charged expansion tank keep pressure in a safe range and protect the heater.
Have a question not listed here?
Call us directly and our licensed plumber will answer immediately, with no hold queues or automated menus. Call (720) 236-3399