The Hidden Dangers of High Water Pressure in Your Property
For most property owners, a strong flow of water feels like a sign of a healthy system. Water pressure that’s too high though, will wear down your pipework and appliances. It causes dripping taps, leaking toilets, and the ongoing stress to your pipes can do serious damage to your boiler or dishwasher. In this blog we offer tips on how to avoid damage from high water pressure.
As drainage experts working in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire, the Drainflow team sees what happens when plumbing systems fail. Very often, the underlying issue behind the leaks and floods we’re called to fix is excessive water pressure. We’ll help you to spot the signs and alert you to simple steps that will safeguard your home or business.
Signs Your Water Pressure is Too High
That feeling of power you get from your taps is deceptive – it’s actually your plumbing system straining under pressure. Many of the small, everyday annoyances you might be ignoring are actually clear warning signs that your water pressure is too high. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Banging Pipes – A loud bang or thud from your pipes when a tap or appliance shuts off is a big red flag. This is a shockwave called ‘water hammer’, caused by water stopping too abruptly in the pipe. It will damage joints and fittings over time.
- Leaking Taps and Toilets – Constant dripping from taps or a toilet cistern that continuously refills are warning signs. The high pressure wears down washers and seals much faster than normal, leading to persistent leaks.
- Failing Appliances – Has your washing machine or dishwasher broken down unexpectedly recently? High pressure puts immense strain on the internal valves and hoses of your appliances, which shortens their lifespan and can be the cause repairs or replacements.
- Spurting Taps – If your taps splutter and spurt water aggressively when you first turn them on, the static pressure in your pipes is too great.
How to Lower Your Water Pressure
Lowering high water pressure is usually a fairly straightforward problem to deal with. For most modern properties, it requires a simple adjustment of a single valve. Following these steps will help you safely regulate your pressure.
For a safe reading, water pressure in a UK home or business should ideally be between 3 and 4 bar.
- Test Your Current Water Pressure – You can buy a water pressure gauge online or from a DIY shop. Screw it onto an outdoor tap or a washing machine connection cold tap. Turn the tap on fully to make sure you get an accurate reading.
- Locate the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) – This is a brass valve normally found on the internal pipework just after your main stopcock. (If you cannot find a PRV, you cannot adjust the pressure yourself. A professional will need to install one.)
- Adjust the Valve – Loosen the locknut on top of the PRV. To decrease the pressure, turn the adjustment screw on top anti clockwise. Make small, half-turn adjustments at a time.
- Test Again – Re-attach the pressure gauge to check the new pressure reading. Repeat step 3 until you are within the 3-4 bar range, then tighten the locknut.
- Know When to Call a Professional – If you cannot find a PRV, the valve is difficult to turn, or if you’re not comfortable making adjustments, call a qualified plumber.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Pressure
To help you protect your property, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about managing water pressure.
No, it doesn’t follow. A shower usually works on a regulated pressure of 3-4 bar. Often, what people perceive as a “powerful” shower is just water being forced inefficiently through the showerhead. Regulating the pressure will give you a consistent, effective flow without causing damage.
Yes, you can, a PRV can be fitted to the individual water supply pipe for your flat. In some cases, the entire building may have a central PRV, which may need servicing by the building management team.
PRVs are very reliable, but without maintenance they can fail over time (usually 10-15 years). We would recommend that you have your water pressure checked as part of any routine plumbing inspection. If you notice symptoms of high pressure returning, the PRV may need servicing or replacing.
There could be any number of reasons. You may have newer, more sensitive appliances. Your internal pipework could be a different diameter, or it’s possible your neighbours already have a PRV installed that you are not aware of. Every property’s plumbing system is slightly different.
From High Pressure to Burst Pipes – How We Can Help
With over two decades of experience working with home and business owners across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire, we know only too well the damage that high water pressure can cause. Our engineers are equipped to handle everything from a slow, hidden leak to a major burst pipe. We don’t just fix the immediate problem – we use a CCTV drain survey to help you identify the root cause, so it doesn’t happen again.
Need professional help to protect your property or fix a problem? Get in touch with the Drainflow experts today. We’re here to help you find the right solution – 01525 718500