Water Pressure Over Recommended Max
What Does Water Pressure Over Recommended Max Mean?
Water Pressure Over Recommended Max is a warning alert related to the home water system experiencing consistently high water pressure over the maximum recommended amount of 80 psi Average water pressure in the home is between 25-75 PSI.
Causes
The most common effect of high pressure is leaks in your plumbing system. There may be tiny pinhole leaks and may only come at intermittent times. Even a small leak can lead to much bigger problems if it occurs in a spot where it can damage your walls or floor. Inconsistent or high water pressure can also put stress on your appliances like your washing machine and your hot water heater, shortening their lifespan. Early detection and being proactive about fixing your home's high water pressure are key in avoiding more serious and potentially catastrophic plumbing failures in the future.
If you see temporary short-term pressure changes, it can be caused by maintenance on the water supply line by the city/community. You may be able to verify this by contacting your water utility company.
If the user sees temporary short-term pressure changes, it can be caused by maintenance on the water supply line by the city/community. The user may be able to verify this by contacting the water utility company.
How to Diagnose Water Pressure Over Recommended Max?
Nothing is going to tell you more about your home’s water pressure than an actual pressure gauge. But your home will give you some hints and clues to let you know it’s time to go and get an accurate reading.
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Check up on Your Faucets / Fixtures- High water pressure can cause wear and tear on your faucets, fixtures, and appliance supply lines. If you notice that the water pressure may be too much, lowering the water pressure supplied to your home's plumbing system can address this issue. To lower the water pressure in your home’s plumbing system, you can adjust or install a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV).
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Check for Thermal Expansion - Are you experiencing high water pressure after using hot water and notice that your water pressure stabilizes after running some cold water? If so, you may be experiencing Thermal Expansion and may need to inspect your water heater.
What do I do about Water Pressure Over Recommended Max?
Over time high pressure could compromise your pipes and damage your appliances such as your washing machine and dishwasher. Contact a local plumbing company if you need assistance with installing or replacing a PRV or Expansion Tank.
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Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)- Universal Plumbing Code states that if the water supply is over 80psi (551 kPa), the installation of a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) is required. PRVs regulate the pressure of the city water as it enters your home, greatly reducing your risk of leaks and you will get more longevity from your plumbing system and water-using appliances.
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Get a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) installed. PRVs can be a key component to maintaining a leak free home.
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If you have an existing PRV installed,
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Check to see if the PRV is installed correctly. The Flo device should be installed after the PRV. If the PRV is not in the correct position, have a plumber come out to move the Flo after the PRV. If the Flo device is installed before the PRV, you may continue to get Water Pressure Over Recommended Max or High Pressure alerts.
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Adjust the PRV Base Pressure- The base pressure may need to be adjusted lower
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Replace PRV- It may be time to replace your PRV. If the pressure is consistently shown to be high, you may want to verify the high pressure with a plumber or by using an analog pressure gauge. In this case you will either need their PRV replaced or re-calibrated or will need to have a new one installed.
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- Expansion Tank- An expansion tank is a small tank connected to a water heater or hydronic system that absorbs the pressure caused by water expansion due to heating, preventing damage to pipes and the water heater. The expansion tank acts like a buffer, allowing the water to expand into the tank instead of increasing pressure in the pipes and water heater.
- Install or service an Expansion Tank.