Everyone worries about low pressure — but water pressure that's too high is the quiet killer of plumbing. It stresses every pipe, joint, and appliance in the house. Here's what to know.
What's "too high"?
Home water pressure should sit around 40–60 psi, and shouldn't exceed about 80 psi. Municipal supply can come in much higher than that, which is exactly why your home has (or should have) a pressure-regulating valve.
What a PRV does
A pressure-regulating valve (PRV) sits where the main line enters your home and knocks the incoming pressure down to a safe level. Like any valve, it wears out — usually after 10–15 years — and when it fails it can let full street pressure into your house, or swing wildly.
Signs of high pressure or a failing PRV
- Banging or hammering pipes when you shut off a faucet
- Faucets that blast, then surge and drop
- A leaking or frequently-triggering water heater relief valve
- Running toilets and short-lived fixtures (high pressure wears washers fast)
- Repeated, unexplained leaks around the house
How it's checked
A plumber (or a cheap gauge on a hose bib) can read your actual pressure in a minute. If it's over ~80 psi, or swinging, the PRV is the likely fix. Installing or replacing one protects every other plumbing component in the house — cheap insurance.
Banging pipes or a relief valve that keeps dripping? Don't ignore it — it's pressure doing damage. give K2 a call and we'll test it and sort the PRV.