When most of us think of hot water problems, the water pressure being too high isn’t usually one of them.
In fact, when you’re so used to complaining about low water pressure, the idea of too much pressure can kind of sound like a good thing.
Make no mistake however, high water pressure is a problem, too!
If the pressure in your hot water system is reaching dangerously high levels, it’s time to call a professional plumber in Mitcham. Your local plumber can help by assessing the cause of the problem and installing safety measures like pressure limiting valves (PLVs).
High water pressure = high risk
The simplest way to figure out whether your water pressure is too high is by just looking and listening.
Does it come out too strong? Is there a banging noise somewhere in your pipes? If so, you might need to call a licensed plumber to investigate the risk of high water pressure.
But why is high water pressure a problem? After all, isn’t it better than low water pressure?
Au contraire: showering with high water pressure isn’t pleasant, either. (Imagine showering under a fire hose!)
More significantly, high water pressure can cause considerable damage to your pipes and hot water system.
What is a pressure limiting valve?
In plumbing, there’s a lot of jargon and technical language that gets thrown around.
Fortunately however, a pressure limiting valve (PLV) is pretty self-explanatory!
Like the name suggests, PLVs are devices that limit water pressure by controlling the pressure of water as it makes its way through your pipes and fixtures.
Their function is to ensure water pressure is kept at a safe level throughout your home’s plumbing system. We recommend every house be pressure tested and have a PLV installed.
Think of it as an insurance policy – you might not see it right now, but when things go wrong you’re going to regret not having it!
There are several reasons you should consider installing a pressure-reducing valve in your home. Here are just a couple:
Take the pressure off your appliances
The typical house contains multiple water-related appliances, all with different lifespans: dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters… all of these different goods can cost a tidy sum.
Naturally, you’ll want to make sure they last as long as possible!
Excessive water pressure puts considerable strain on your appliances, increasing the chances of premature damage or failures.
The extra life a pressure limiting valve can squeeze out of your appliances easily makes it worthwhile.
Protects your plumbing fixtures
There’s perhaps nothing more annoying than stepping into the shower only to find out that water is barely trickling out of the shower head.
However, the opposite isn’t much better. In fact, when looking at the health of your taps and shower heads, high water pressure is objectively worse than low water pressure – low water pressure won’t damage your plumbing, at least!
Just like with water-using appliances, excessive water pressure can cause damage to your taps and shower heads.
A PLV set to the perfect water pressure lessens the risk of damaging your fixtures. Not to mention, it can potentially save you a sizeable sum of water in the process!
Stop water damage in its tracks!
Leaks or burst pipes are the last thing anybody wants to deal with.
The are many consequences of water damage through a leak or burst pipe:
- The most obvious effect is flooding in your home
- Structural damage if pipes burst near a load-bearing wall or a hidden leak remains undetected
- Hidden, stagnant water can attract pests like insects and mosquitos
- Slow leaks cause staining on internal walls and ceilings
- A dark and moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew
Oftentimes, these are the result of excessive water pressure. The pressure builds up in your pipes, forcing them to expand until either the pressure is relieved… or your pipes begin to leak or burst altogether.
Call a plumber in Mitcham to install pressure limiting valves in your home!
Water pressure is a lot like the porridge from Goldilocks and the Three Bears: it needs to be just right.
That’s why it’s important to talk to a professional plumber about water pressure in the home.
If your home is experiencing water pressure issues, give H2-Pro’s team of qualified plumbers a call!
Wherever you need a domestic plumber in Mitcham, Warrandyte or anywhere else in Melbourne’s north-east, we are here to help you all your plumbing needs!
Contact us anytime on 9844 1444 or fill in this form and we will get back to you ASAP!
