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I am a professional plumber serving the San Diego area for more than 40 years. Over the years, I’ve responded to clients complaining about low water pressure at sink faucets, showers, or even that their toilet takes a long time to refill. My first response is to determine if this is a whole house problem or if it’s confined to a particular fixture.
Let's address the situation where it’s a problem at a specific fixture, as opposed to a whole house issue (which we can discuss another time). Let’s say the complaint is that the bathroom sink faucet runs slower than usual. The first step is to check if water flow is restricted from both the hot and cold supply, or if it’s isolated to one supply only. Turn on the cold water and observe the flow rate, then turn off the cold supply and turn on the hot supply only to see if the same problem persists. If the low flow rate is the same, whether one or both supplies are on at the same time, it’s most likely that the aerator (a small screened fitting attached to the end of the faucet) is clogged. The aerator is threaded into the faucet spout and can usually be removed easily, either by hand or, if needed, using appropriately sized pliers while protecting the finish with a rag to avoid scratches. Once removed, flush out the aerator by holding it upside down under the faucet spout and use the faucet's water to backflush it. This also allows you to check if your faucet spout is delivering full pressure. Without the aerator in place, you can also blow through the aerator, first from the outlet side, then from the inlet side. Note: If the faucet spout still has low flow without the aerator in place, this suggests something inside it is restricting the flow, and most likely would require faucet removal for repair or replacement. After cleaning the aerator, simply reinstall it, ensuring the rubber washer seal is in place and not deteriorated. Hand tightening is usually sufficient, but you may need to use pliers again to achieve the proper seal—avoid over-tightening. This is generally a quick and easy fix, but as with any plumbing service, it’s important to know where to shut off the incoming water supply serving the house, just in case Murphy’s law kicks in. For the well-being of your house plumbing system, maintenance is vital to avoid unnecessary repairs, fixture replacement, or catastrophic plumbing failures. We recommend every home and property owner install the “Don Alarm, The Water Pressure Alert", to provide 24/7 monitoring of your plumbing water pressure. This way, you’ll know when your pressure is too high or too low and can take proper action to keep it within the recommended range of 50-60 psi. Remember: High water pressure can lead to terrible consequences if allowed to continue without service. It could indicate that the water pressure regulator has failed or that your thermal expansion tank is no longer functioning. “You need to know!"
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 A thermal expansion tank is a small metal tank connected to the incoming water supply near your home's water heater. When water is heated, it expands. Expansion tanks are designed to absorb the excess pressure caused by the expansion of heated water. Much like how steam can lift a lid off a boiling pot of water on the stove, the hot water heater in your home can create significant pressure in your plumbing system, sometimes 2-3 times your normal pressure! This excessive pressure can cause loud noises, unusual flow from faucets, and even burst pipes (flooding!). A properly functioning thermal expansion tank is a critical safety device that prevents these issues. Is a Thermal Expansion Tank Required? In general, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) requires a thermal expansion tank if any of the following are true:
A thermal expansion tank consists of two main compartments separated by a rubber diaphragm:
Why is a Thermal Expansion Tank Important?
Installing a thermal expansion tank is a straightforward process that can be done by a professional plumber. The tank is usually connected to the cold water supply line near the water heater and secured to the wall or ceiling with a bracket or strap. For the thermal expansion tank to function properly, the air chamber must be at the correct pressure before installation. Most expansion tank manufacturers specify that the air chamber be pressurized to the same or slightly higher than the incoming static water pressure. As with all mechanical components, expansion tanks will eventually fail. Water quality, supply pressure, and hot water temperature all play a role in how long the expansion tank will last. External corrosion or water leaks in the tank are clear signs of failure. An air chamber that no longer maintains pressure or releases water when checked also indicates the tank has failed. Sometimes, a defective thermal expansion tank may not be obvious. Spikes in water pressure that dissipate quickly often indicate a failed expansion tank. However, pressure spikes can be difficult to capture without continuous water pressure monitoring. Many water heater failures, burst water lines, and floods have occurred due to failed thermal expansion tanks. In many cases, the homeowner was not aware that their thermal expansion tank had failed until it was too late. Conclusion A thermal expansion tank is a small but crucial component to protecting your home's plumbing system. It helps ensure the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your water heater, piping, fixtures, appliances, and overall plumbing system. Make sure your thermal expansion tank is working properly and keep an eye on your water pressure. Don Alarm products continuously monitor your water system pressure and immediately sound an alarm when the pressure is too high. With Don Alarm, you can rest assured that your pressure is at a safe level and your thermal expansion tank is working properly.   A pressure regulator, also known as a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV), is a plumbing device installed on the incoming water supply to your home. The purpose of the regulator is to control the water pressure coming into your home from the municipal supply. The incoming water pressure must be high enough to provide adequate flow to all of the fixtures in your home, but not too high. Over time, excessive pressure wears out your plumbing system and everything connected to it, such as water heaters, washing machines, faucets, dishwashers, toilets, and so on. A properly functioning pressure regulator reduces the incoming water pressure to a safe level and is the first line of defense against high water pressure.
Water pressure regulations Most plumbing systems in the U.S. must comply with the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), which allows a maximum water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi). If the municipal water supply exceeds 80 psi, the UPC requires a regulator be installed and the pressure reduced to 80 psi or lower. 50-60 psi is common on most systems. How to determine the water pressure in your home? It is important to recognize water pressure changes depending on the many factors such as the municipality, location, amount of people using water, temperature, and condition of your plumbing system. Pressure often goes up at night when less people are using water, potentially putting your system at risk. Some ways to check your water pressure are listed below. #1 Use a pressure gauge.
#2 Consult a Plumber A plumbing professional can check your system water pressure using a pressure gauge. A reputable plumber may open and close valves on your system to get a thorough and accurate reading of the pressure at that time of day. Typical cost for an initial plumbing service call to check your pressure can range between $75 - $200. #3 Continuous Pressure Monitoring Device Install a Don Alarm to continuously monitor your system pressure and alert if the pressure is too high. This device can be installed at any fixture (such as a sink or water heater) and continuously checks your home's water pressure to ensure the safety of your plumbing system. It provides an audible alert when the pressure exceeds the plumbing code limit of 80 psi. Don Alarm notifies homeowners of a plumbing issue such as a failing pressure regulator, allowing for timely repairs before permanent damage occurs. The Don Alarm Standard (DAK10) is designed for home and light commercial use, and costs around $120. No monthly charges, no app, and no special tools are needed for installation. A small investment to protect one your biggest investment - your home. Conclusion A properly functioning water pressure regulator is essential for maintaining the health and longevity of your plumbing system. By reducing incoming water pressure to a safe level, it protects your home and appliances from the wear and tear caused by excessive pressure. Continuous monitoring of your water pressure helps prevent costly repairs. Investing in a reliable pressure regulator and a Don Alarm provides peace of mind and safeguards one of your most valuable assets—your home. |
AuthorNathan Taylor, P.E. ArchivesCategories |
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