Reducing “Pipe Stress”

Stress on the pipes is a main factor of plumbing leaks. Even though leaky pipes may appear to be a minor issue, it may actually be an indication of further damage beyond your pipes. Increased pipe stress over a period of time might signify replacing your entire plumbing system, meaning thousands of dollars will come out of your wallet.

At Repiping Professionals, we have identified two significant causes of plumbing stress as:

• High water pressure
• Hard water (water consisting of high mineral content)

Let’s explain each cause in more detail.

High water pressure

High water pressure causes stress in your pipe joints and faucets by making your appliance valves exert more energy. In order to check if your water pressure is too high, attach a hose bib gauge to an outside water spigot and release the water line.

Normal water pressure is between 40 and 85 psi, anything above is considered too high.

The best solution is to hire a plumber to install a pressure reducer/regulator. If your home is already equipped with one, it might need adjusting.

Hard water

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, hard water contains over 10.5 grains of minerals, especially calcium carbonate and magnesium, per gallon of water (or 180 mg/L).

Those minerals are capable of build up inside the pipes and restrict flow, as well as corrode join and fittings which shortens the lifespan of your home’s pipes. If you don’t know if you have hard water, locate your local municipality’s annual water quality report (it’s free).

The best solution is to have a plumber install a whole-home water softener.

If you need to reduce high water pressure or soften your water, contact Repiping Professionals today!