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Water Pressure

November 16, 2018 by SterlingCraft

It matters!

Everyone loves a high pressure shower, but did you know that high pressure can be costing you money? Has someone suggested you need to install a PRV and you have no idea what it is? This article will explain why you should have one, how to check if you need one, and explain what it does to keep your plumbing in working order. If we don’t answer all your questions we are always just a phone call away.

Testing your water pressure is easy!
Testing your water pressure is easy!

 

Code requires that residential homes maintain water pressures below 80 pounds per square inch (psi). The average pressure from water companies in the Upstate vary from 80-130 psi. When water pressures are above 80 psi it may cause leaks and premature repairs. It shortens the lifespan of fixtures, appliances, and the piping of your plumbing system. Most newer homes have a pressure regulating device, sometimes called a pressure reducing valve, and commonly known as a PRV, to prevent damage due to high water pressure. Older homes were often built without a PRV when water pressures from water departments tended to be lower. If your home does not have a PRV or has one that has failed, your plumbing is being subjected to excess wear and tear.

WHY IS HIGH WATER PRESSURE DANGEROUS?

Flowing water carved the Grand Canyon, and it also carves away the walls of your pipes in the same manner. When a plumbing system is properly designed, water flows through the pipes in a controlled manner. When water pressure is high the water moves through the pipes at a higher velocity than necessary. This higher rate of speed causes the pipes to erode much faster than when water moves through the pipes at the proper velocity. You can’t see this process happening, but other effects of high water pressure are more visible.

When you close a faucet or an automatic valve like those commonly found in ice makers, washing machines, and toilet fill valves shut off you are slamming a door on the water flowing through the pipes. Those doors are engineered for holding back water at pressures of 80 psi and under. When subjected to pressure in excess of 80 psi they get stressed out and fail. I liken normal water pressure to a 5 year old kid and high water pressure to an NFL defensive lineman. Most grown people can easily stop a charging child, but almost nobody can stop a 330 pound lineman, even if they were only standing in front of you and just decided to lean in your direction. Your fixtures can handle what they are designed for, which in this example would be a typical adult, but if you ask them to stop and hold back more, they will bend and eventually break. Items that may have a normal useful life of 7-10 years, may last 1-3 years at best under excessive pressure. If you have a newer faucet that is dripping, a toilet that runs non-stop or requires repairs every couple of years, or other leaky device you may have a water pressure issue.

High water pressure can also cause banging pipes and whistling noises throughout the home. As that big lineman runs through the piping system and eventually runs into a brick wall in the form of a closed valve, all that momentum stops in its tracks. This can cause the entire length of pipe to slide if it isn’t well secured. It is most prone near fast closing automatic valves like the ones found in washing machines, ice makers, and toilets. If you hear banging noises, it is a very good indication that you have high water pressure.

VERIFY IF YOU HAVE HIGH PRESSURE

Pressure Gauge
Pressure Gauge

 

If you think you have high water pressure, or just want to be certain that your pressure is normal, all you need is a simple pressure gauge with a garden hose connection on the end of it. You can find them at a quality hardware store, one of the big box centers. Prices range from about $10-$20 and they will tell you everything you need to know. Once you have a gauge simply connect it to your garden hose valve in the backyard, side of the home, or your water heater drain valve and turn it open. The hose bib on the front of the house is not recommended as a testing point because many PRVs are installed on the system just after the front hose bib. When this is the case you can get a false positive for high water pressure when the house may still be under protection. The needle on the gauge will move up and settle after a few moments telling you what the standing psi of your plumbing system is. It is important to let the pressure level off before you think you are in the clear. A failing PRV will often cause a gauge to start out under 80 psi, but the needle may begin to slowly climb. When a PRV is not present the pressure may fluctuate throughout the day as the water company experiences changes in demand. Gauges like the one show above have a second needle that will show you where the water pressure peaks while you leave it connected overnight. This type of gauge may also record another pressure issue known as thermal expansion which you can read more about in our next article.

A PRV
A PRV has many internal parts and will usually fail after 7-12 years of constant strain

 

IF YOUR PRESSURE IS HIGH

When the pressure entering your home is high, you can correct it by installing aPressure Reducing Valve commonly referred to as a PRV. A PRV takes the high pressure entering your home and suppresses it down under 80 psi. Most are adjustable and can be set anywhere from 40-80 psi. Water is constricted within the valve body and directed through an inner chamber where an adjustable spring loaded diaphragm and disc adjust continuously to maintain the preset pressure. Even if the supply water pressure fluctuates, the pressure reducing valve ensures a constant flow of water at a functional pressure. They can be installed just after the water meter, or just after entering the home. Anything beyond a PRV will be protected from high pressure as long as the valve remains functioning. A good quality PRV has a similar lifespan as a tank style water heater. You can expect 7-12 years as the typical age before failure. If you have a home built prior to 1996 or you know that your PRV is over 12 years of age, it is recommended that you verify its operation.

A reputable plumber will have a pressure gauge and will always check your water pressure before attempting to diagnose any of your plumbing issues. If you are worried about lowering your water pressure, keep in mind that most people can’t actually tell the difference between 70 and 120 psi. If you have any questions give us a call or leave a comment below.

 

Highly recommend!!. Called Sterling Craft and Plumbing and was able to get someone here the next day. Diagnosed and repaired my toilet. Needed additional parts for an outdoor faucet and scheduled this for the next day. The nice surprise was being told I did not need to pay until all the work was done. Nick Bridges, the Lead Plumber was very knowledgeable and polite. Someone in my household is immune system compromised and Sterling Craft and Plumbing/Nick accommodated by wearing mask and engaged in social distancing. Very much appreciated!
Brad Taggart
15:03 17 Dec 20
I highly recommend Sterling Craft Plumbing & Bath for any bathroom remodel you have in mind. Ms. Amanda is very easy to work with and tries to help in any way she can to make your bathroom remodel a success. We used them to remodel both of our bathrooms and are very satisfied with the outcome. Our master bathroom now has a beautiful tiled walk-in shower. The crew of Caleb and Sam did the majority of the work on both bathrooms and they take extreme pride in the way that they do their work. We cannot say enough good things about these two as they worked really hard and kept us informed as to what they were doing the entire time until completion of our remodel. We would not hesitate to use this company again for any plumbing or remodel projects in the future.
Pauline Blood
20:58 15 Dec 20
I highly recommend Sterling Craft Plumbing & Bath for any bathroom remodel you have in mind. Ms. Amanda is very easy to work with and tries to help in any way she can to make your bathroom remodel a success. We used them to remodel both of our bathrooms and are very satisfied with the outcome. Our master bathroom now has a beautiful tiled walk-in shower. The crew of Caleb and Sam did the majority of the work on both bathrooms and they take extreme pride in the way that they do their work. We cannot say enough good things about these two as they worked really hard and kept us informed as to what they were doing the entire time until completion of our remodel. We would not hesitate to use this company again for any plumbing or remodel projects in the future.
Pauline Blood
02:13 23 Nov 20
I love working with this company. Amanda ALWAYS keeps you up up-to-date. They always come on time. Their prices are very fair. Their workmanship and clean-up are great.
Judith Mamroth
13:33 29 Sep 20
I highly recommend Sterling Craft Plumbing & Bath for all of your plumbing needs. I notified Ms. Amanda first thing in the morning on a Monday that we had been without hot water since Saturday morning. She sent a crew out and before the end of the day, we had a new hot water heater installed. They helped us remove our old unit out of the crawl space under our house and relocated our new hot water heater into our garage. Their crew are very professional and very knowledgeable about their work. They will be my first choice whenever I need any plumbing work done.
Pauline Blood
17:51 15 Sep 20
Very happy with the work done. He was efficient, professional and polite. He came yesterday and everything is working beautifully today. I will definitely call them next time I need a plumber!
Kay McDonald
11:29 20 Aug 20
Wow! Great communication, professional people, and reasonably priced service. I will definitely be using Sterling Craft for future projects.
Christopher Sizer
12:02 23 Jul 20
Great experience. Professional service, customer care, and results. Very reasonable pricing. I will definitely use this business again and recommend them to others.
Ed Medlin
18:50 21 Jul 20
First time customer. Nick and Caleb arrived promptly within scheduled time and with advance telephone notice of arrival. Reviewed my requirements, suggested alternatives, made our chosen repair/replace option at a fair price. We now have a new plumber relationship for the long term.
Peter Netherton
19:37 30 Apr 20
I can not sing their praises enough!! Caleb and the other 2 men that helped with our shower Reno were punctual, professional and most importantly respectful and I (being a single mom with 2 kids) never felt uncomfortable with them here. Half the time I forgot they were upstairs! They got the job done in a timely manner and my shower looks fantastic!
Brittany Pieklo
19:31 09 Apr 20
Sterling Craft Plumbing has done many jobs for me in the last couple of years. They have all been jobs that cost between $1000 and $2000. They have always done an excellent job.I got several quotes from other companies for the last job and they were right in line with other quotes.I strongly recommend their work and will continue to call them when needed and will always recommend them to others.
Barbara Dorsey
14:07 03 Apr 20
I used Sterling Craft Plumbing for the first time today and am glad I chose them. I had a leak under the kitchen sink where a pipe had corroded. I called and spoke to Amanda and she said Nick would be on the way as soon as he finished up another job. She even called me back to tell me when Nick was actually on the way. Nick D. was polite, professional and knowledgeable. The pricing was extremely reasonable. Highly recommended!!
G K
15:13 27 Feb 20
This is my 2nd experience with Sterling Craft Plumbing & Bath. Both experiences were great. First experience was me needing a bathroom facet replaced. Second one dealt with a kitchen sink drain leak in the wall. Their prices and quality of work are both great. They are now my go to for any plumbing issue I may have in the future.
Garrie Morris
22:34 26 Feb 20
Nick, Lead Plumber with Sterling installed a new bathroom sink and faucet for us and we are very pleased with his work. I purchased the wrong size supply lines and Nick took time to stop and go get the correct size without an additional charge. Installation charges were reasonable and we highly recommend Sterling and Nick for any plumbing work.
J. R. Ellis
15:43 20 Jan 20
Showed up when they said they would. Did what they sais3they would do. Charged what they quoted. A refreshing experience. Will be my go to plumber.
Lisa Marshall
01:59 12 Jan 20
Shane and Amanda gave us a very detailed estimate. The estimate was a step by step plan of the work they would be doing and how much each step would cost. We received 2 other estimates from other contractors, they quoted us 3 times as much and did not include a detailed description of the work to be done or explain how they arrived at the grand total. The estimated quote was the exact amount we paid. They performed a great job on our bathroom, it doesn't even seem like the same room. We will call them back for any other work we need!
Angela Varner
05:22 11 Dec 19
Very professional and pricing is reasonable. Nick and Matt were great! Nick fixed the piping problem we had underneath the sink. And also troubleshooted our water heater which was acting up. Will recommend to others and use them again if we have any problems.
Lynna Lotrakul
11:10 03 Dec 19
I was closing on a house and needed immediate service. Sterling Craft had someone come by that day and give me an estimate and out there the next morning to complete the work. Not only was the service exceptional, once he started working on the issue it was resolved for a great deal less cost than I had originally planned for. I appreciate the honesty of their service and the help with lining up the sheet rock repair that was quick and well done. Thank You, Kim Trott
Kimberly Trott
22:31 30 Oct 19
Called Sterling Plumbing today for the first time since we are selling our house and needed to get a repair done asap. He showed up within a couple of hours, at the appointed time, looked at the problem with bathroom water pressure, and told us if we replaced the faucet (something we can do ourselves), it would fix the issue. Then he didn't even charge us for his time and recommedation! How's that for service! Would confidently use him again. Thanks for the integrity and punctuality.
CM and JK
00:16 23 Oct 19
I was at Home Depot looking for something to block a water pipe under the house. The H.D guy really didn't know what to recommend. Along came Shane so I asked if he was a plumber. Then I hit him up for advice on what to use.He could have said he didn't know, but he didn't. He let me call my husband to get a better description of pipe . Then he went and picked out some options for me. He reviewed a few ways to handle the pipe and was just do friendly and helpful. Also, he said to call him if we needed more help. I booked marked the website right then. This will be the company I call when I need more plumbing help. He showed me he was a businessman not out to just make money but to gain customers trust.Shannon
Shannon Marsinelli
17:54 09 Sep 19
My experience with Sterling Craft Plumbing has been exceptional in every way. They arrive on time, the quality of the work is excellent. They are very knowledgeable about all plumbing issues and know how to install or repair things in the most professional way. They make sure the problem has been adequately addressed before leaving. They are also very personable and easy to communicate with. I’ve lived in my house for 30 years and have had quite a few plumbers in that time and Sterling Craft Plumbers are by far the best.
Nancy Mandlove
18:29 05 Sep 19
I reached out to SCP&B on a Friday before labor day weekend and they showed up at my house at 8am the following Tuesday. All I needed was a quote to install/replace our aging water heater. They quoted and installed the same day. Very professional and will definitely use again in the future for my plumbing needs.
Todd
16:58 03 Sep 19
I cannot say more about how pleased I am with my Sterling Craft experience! Our plumbing issue was dealt with using minimal cost solutions first and ultimately we have saved. SC came recommended to us by a local business owner and the first time we used them years ago, their employee assessed our issue and was honest about the lack of a need for his work in this instance. We had him change out a connector to upgrade it, but appreciated his honesty then and how much that saved us. Today, our servicer was fast, efficient, and dealt well with our child being very interested in his work. He checked on issues outside of the service call issue itself and really helped us to understand the work he did. I love these guys!
Jessica Johnson
20:31 28 Aug 19
I highly recommend Sterling Craft Plumbing. They did a great job installing a new water heater for me. I certainly will call them again for any plumbing needs in the future. Thank you Matt and Nick for doing great . I appreciate you both.
casey
22:55 15 Aug 19
Sterling Craft Plumbing is by far the best plumbing company I have used in thirty years. Fair pricing, strong customer service, quality work and integrity set them apart! I am extremely pleased with all aspects of the service I received. I will most certainly utilize them again and highly recommend them. Scott
Scott Moody
00:17 29 Jul 19
Great team! Honest and trustworthy. Always willing to help with your projects.
Greg Barnes
15:12 21 Jul 19
Sterling Craft Plumbers are the best! They've been our go to plumbers for the past 4 years. Shane and team are honest, reliable and their work is outstanding. We can always count on them. It's nice knowing that there are still companies that provide excellent customer service and at an honest rate without solely focusing on how much money they can get from you. Thank you Shane and Amanda!!
Jen Lewis
18:55 11 Jul 19
Wonderful company! Professional, friendly and extremely helpful! I will most definitely call them again! Thank you so much!
Jennifer Allen
23:45 25 Jun 19
I used Sterling Craft twice in the last month. Both times they were quick to respond, professional and reasonable. I won't hesitate to call them again when I have a plumbing job.
Jim Schmidt
02:18 25 May 19
Guys came out and were able to diagnose and fix the problem right away. Service was great and professional. Would absolutely use them again.
William Roberson
20:30 10 May 19
Sterling was awesome when we needed to have the shower replaced in our master bath. They were professional and great to work with. We will absolutely be calling them again for future plumbing needs!
Jessica Burke
23:48 23 Apr 19
Shane and Amanda were tremendously helpful in our experience with them. They place emphasis on making the customer satisfied and will try to give you the best available option at the most affordable price. Will continue to use their service in the future!
Amar Bhatti
15:53 18 Apr 19
Amanda and Shane were excellent! They were extremely responsive, timely and reasonable in their recommendations. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing quality work in their home or business.
Edward MacMillan
19:02 17 Apr 19
The crew at Sterling Craft did a great job with our bathroom renovation.All installation work including the laying of the floor was carried out very professionally and cleanly.The works were done on a timely basis, the final amount corresponded exactly to the budgeted offer.The Sterling Craft team located in Spartanburg, SC was also very supportive and helped us quickly and easily in a few things related to this project.In any case, we will use Shane and his team again in future plumbing projects.M.E.
Martin Endert
13:01 12 Mar 19
Sterling Craft has the absolute best customer service. Amanda made us feel like we were a priority and had her husband, Shane at our house within 10 minutes. Shane was very informative and very helpful! I will recommend over & over!
Hannah Barber
14:26 22 Feb 19
Nick and Shane have both done work at my house, they have always arrived when they said they would if not sooner. Professional and very personable. Very knowledgeable and reasonable pricing. Great company to work with
Steve Stewart
19:15 20 Feb 19
Sterling Craft is dependable and reasonable. It is refreshing to find a business that is so well run and who believe the customer comes first. I highly recommend this local company!
Beth Wolfe
19:21 04 Dec 18
Thank you for reliable, accurate service on our broken hot water heater. We are very pleased. Betty K
Betty Koester
18:51 27 Nov 18
Shane was an absolute pleasure to deal with! Thank you for the great attention to details. We are glad we called!
Marina Isaac
15:33 20 Nov 18
Very professional and pricing is reasonable. Nick and Matt were great! Nick fixed the piping problem we had underneath the sink. And also troubleshooted our water heater which was acting up. Will recommend to others and use them again if we have their problems.
Lynna Lotrakul
15:27 08 Nov 18
Nick and John were great. Service was quick. Everything was explained and quoted before any work was done. Definitely using them again and recommending them to friends.
Ms Malia k
16:43 05 Sep 18
Prompt, courteous, professional. Replaced pressure regulator valve. Upgraded installation.
Ross Goff
13:02 27 Aug 18
Sterling Craft Plumbing are excellent for all your plumbing needs! Fast, friendly service with a smile. We found them a few years ago through a Google search & liked how close they were to our place. Service was on time and gave a fair and knowledgeable quote. We have used them for ery job big or small. And have recommended them to friends and family, who have also used them. It's doesn't get any better than Sterling Craft Plumbing!
Jason Orick
11:50 01 Jun 18
Arrived on time. Very professional Did a great job installing my stove. I will recommend him, and if I need a plumber again will choose him!
Fern Scharff
01:00 28 Oct 17
Arrived on time. Very professional Did a great job installing my stove. I will recommend him, and if I need a plumber again will choose him!
Fern Scharff
11:56 26 Oct 17
Sterling Craft Plumbing made my dream bathroom come true, no exaggeration! I had the absolute most positive experience with them. Shane's estimate was literally thousands of dollars less than the other I received, and he stuck to it even though the job ended up taking a bit more time than he had anticipated. The company that gave me the other estimate actually recommended Shane over themselves! He knew he wouldn't be able to beat Sterling Craft's price for the work that needed to be done, and he had worked with Shane and vouched highly for his attention to detail. Shane and Nick were able to do the majority of the work in 2 days, leaving some small portions undone to make it easier for me to do the rest of remodeling work, then came back later once enough was completed so that they could finish. At every step of the process, they did quality, professional work, were respectful and cleaned up after themselves, and went above and beyond in helping me. Not only did they do a great job, Shane was nice enough to share his knowledge with me and answered my masses of questions about every aspect of remodeling, not just plumbing. As a first-timer, this was invaluable and helped me be successful. If I ever need any plumbing work done in the future, they will be the only ones I call! They do more than plumbing as well, so I may just have them remodel my whole kitchen for me as well! I highly recommend them to anyone considering having some remodeling or plumbing that needs done.
Alan Gardinsky
01:40 21 Oct 17
Sterling Craft Plumbing made my dream bathroom come true, no exaggeration! I had the absolute most positive experience with them. Shane's estimate was literally thousands of dollars less than the other I received, and he stuck to it even though the job ended up taking a bit more time than he had anticipated. The company that gave me the other estimate actually recommended Shane over themselves! He knew he wouldn't be able to beat Sterling Craft's price for the work that needed to be done, and he had worked with Shane and vouched highly for his attention to detail. Shane and Nick were able to do the majority of the work in 2 days, leaving some small portions undone to make it easier for me to do the rest of remodeling work, then came back later once enough was completed so that they could finish. At every step of the process, they did quality, professional work, were respectful and cleaned up after themselves, and went above and beyond in helping me. Not only did they do a great job, Shane was nice enough to share his knowledge with me and answered my masses of questions about every aspect of remodeling, not just plumbing. As a first-timer, this was invaluable and helped me be successful. If I ever need any plumbing work done in the future, they will be the only ones I call! They do more than plumbing as well, so I may just have them remodel my whole kitchen for me as well! I highly recommend them to anyone considering having some remodeling or plumbing that needs done.
Alan Gardinsky
16:06 20 Oct 17
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