Water pressure too high and how do I fix it?

[nisryus]

I am not sure if it is because the water pressure to my house is a bit too high, but when my kid turn off the shower too fast I could hear a short duration of banging noise coming from the pipe in the bathroom.

I went to Home Depot and got a Rainbird water pressure gauge. The results from both outside hose bibbs were almost 80 psi.

My neighbor told me I can lower the pressure by tuning the pressure regulator valve. I looked around my house, didn't see one resemble those pictures I saw on the Internet. I checked my water meter and couldn't figure out if there is one either.

https://flic.kr/p/26x2Ryu

Is that plastic tip thingie by the meter the pressure valve?

 

[C1]

No it isnt. Pressure regulators typically are installed and thus located on the water supply line at the entry point to the home. Most often on the outside, but sometimes just on the inside (typically in the garage).

You should install a new Wilkins pressure regulator as 80 psi over time will damage the water systems. These include water heaters, clothes and dish washers, toilet systems, sink shut off valves and can even result in below slab leaks. A new Wilkins regulator will come calibrated for 55 psi limit pressure to the home and is adjustable. If you can live with less pressure, then it is recommended to do so.

Also, to correctly check pressure, you should use a Watts water pressure gauge that employs the second red needle for registering maximum sensed pressure. The meter is to remain recording in place for 24 hours as street supply line pressure typically varies diurnally.

In my case, street line pressure is 125 psi and has been reported to have hit a maximum in some areas of 150 psi (typically in the very early hours when water use is low). The phenomena is that as cities grow, water pressure needs to be increased to accommodate the required extra needed volume at a useable pressure.

 

[Red Squirrel]

80 is about normal I think, it's what I get at my house, some places get over 100, they tend to start getting issues.

You may need a water hammer arrestor, also to ensure pipes are secured properly.

 

[nisryus]

Thanks Guys. I am heading to Homedepot tomorrow and get a Watts gauge.

Will try to get a 24 hours reading too. But looks like I will need to get a plumber to install a pressure regulator as I can't locate one inside or outside the house.

 

[Aikouka]

Thanks Guys. I am heading to Homedepot tomorrow and get a Watts gauge.

Will try to get a 24 hours reading too. But looks like I will need to get a plumber to install a pressure regulator as I can't locate one inside or outside the house.

As long as you live in the city and get your water from a local utility, I can't imagine why you wouldn't have one. Where's your water meter? I wouldn't be surprised if it's right after/near/beside that. As an example, my water meter is under my front lawn close to the road. Right after it, I have the pressure regulator and shut-off valve.

 

[nisryus]

My area has its own MUD and independent from the City of Austin. The picture shown the meters which are close to the road outside of my backyard fence. The meters are for my house and my neighbor's. There is nothing else there to resemble a pressure regulator.

 

[boomerang]

You might have a pressure problem but...

Turn off the water coming into the house. Open all the faucets in and outside the house being sure to open the one that is the lowest. The idea is to drain all the water you can from the system. When you close the faucets and then turn on the water to the house, the water hammer arrestor's will contain air and not water which should eliminate the issue.

Over time, the arrestor's become waterlogged. The cushion of air that suppresses the hammering noise needs to be restored occasionally.

I would do this before messing with the pressure.

 

[Billb2]

Water hammer

Over time the upright pipe looses it's air, the air gets dissolved in the water, slowly, over time. As boomerang said, you have to drain the water out of all the pipes(and the water hammer devices) by turning off the main water valve and opening all the water faucets and water shut offs in the house. Then when the valves are closed and the water turned back on new air is trapped in the all water hammer eliminators..

 

[nisryus]

I will drain the water and give that a try. Thanks guys!

 

[NutBucket]

80 is about normal I think, it's what I get at my house, some places get over 100, they tend to start getting issues.

You may need a water hammer arrestor, also to ensure pipes are secured properly.

Agreed, anything less sucks. At one point our regulator was busted and we had 130psi. Those low-flow shower heads sure worked a lot better!

 

[Greenman]

Watts regulators come preset at 50psi. The only time you would want higher pressure is if your house was poorly plumbed or you have a great deal of buildup in your plumbing.