High water pressure feels great in the shower but it is hard on everything else, from pipe joints to appliance hoses. Sustained high pressure shortens the life of the whole system.
The risks
Pressure above 80 PSI stresses connections, causes water hammer, and can blow a washing machine hose or a water heater relief valve.
The regulator
A pressure-reducing valve at the main lowers the incoming pressure to a safe range. If the home already has one, it may have failed or drifted.
The symptoms
Banging pipes, dripping faucets that come back after repair, and a relief valve that opens often all point to pressure that is too high.
The check
A gauge on a hose bib confirms the reading at different times of day. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Chapel Hill, pressure can spike at night when demand drops.
The check
Read the pressure at different times of day, because it spikes when neighborhood demand is low. A regulator set once may need a follow-up check.
The call
Protect the pipes and the appliances. Call 888-217-3585 and Chapel Hill Plumber Connect will match you with a Chapel Hill pro.
Plumbing in Chapel Hill: what to know
In Chapel Hill, hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Orange County — from Carrboro, Durham and Hillsborough to ZIP codes like 27599, 27510, 27514 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Chapel Hill?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Chapel Hill Plumber Connect will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Chapel Hill.