How To Keep High Water Pressure From Bursting Your Pipes

Burst pipes are among the worst things that can happen to a modern homeowner—and if you're like most, you're probably playing it smart when it comes to taking preventative measures when subfreezing temperatures are a part of the picture. Installing insulation or heat tape around pipes as well as leaving a slight trickle of water in faucets overnight when outdoor temperatures plunge are tried-and-true ways of protecting against burst pipes from water freezing in the lines. However, many people fail to realize there's another culprit involved in burst pipes that occurs no matter what the temperature—high water pressure. Here's what you can do to prevent this scenario from happening in your home.

Be Alert to the Signs of High Water Pressure

Signs of water pressure issues include toilets that occasionally run without being flushed, leaks involving multiple fixtures, leaks that seem to occur off and on, faucets that spit water when they're turned on, banging pipes, and water appliances such as washing machines, automatic dishwashers, and water heaters experiencing short lives. Elevated water pressure levels may be the result of clogged fixtures such as toilets or water pumps, or they may be the result of municipal water pressure levels set too high at the main valve. No matter what the cause, water pressure that is over 80 psi has the potential to wreak serious havoc on your plumbing system.

To avoid scenarios where elevated water pressure levels lead to situations such as burst pipes and other plumbing woes, take necessary steps to ensure that your plumbing is running smoothly at all times. Having your septic system cleaned out on a regular basis—especially if you've got mature trees in your yard whose roots have the potential to cause clogs that can lead to elevated water pressure levels. Always be alert to signs of possible high water pressure and have the situation looked at by a professional plumber as soon as possible to avoid worse problems down the road. 

Adjust Your Pressure Regulator

High water pressure can be an issue even in homes where the plumbing is humming along fine, because municipal water suppliers set the pressure to meet their own needs. This is particularly prevalent in places that have many tall buildings—water pressure is set higher at the source so it can reach to the top floors. However, this usually creates adverse situations for those in single family homes built on street level. Fortunately, you can purchase a pressure regulator that can be installed at your main water valve designed to ensure that water pressure levels don't get dangerously high.

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