House detective Brad Treece travels into the Shenandoah Valley to a former bed and breakfast--an 1890 Victorian on three acres, located in Woodstock, Va. Treece tested the pipes and determined that the water pressure was too high. Low water pressure is a more common complaint, but high water pressure creates its own special brand of problems for pipes.
If the pressure is too high, it can cause fixtures and appliances to malfunction and waste water. These problems can be resolved with a pressure-regulating valve . It's installed on the main water line, usually coming in at the lowest part of the house. It will reduce the pressure in the pipes to a below 70 pounds per square inch, which is where it should be.
The symptoms of excessive water pressure include banging pipes, a stinging shower spray, and faucets that leak again a few months after washers have been replaced. Ask neighbors if they've noticed water pressure problems. High water pressure can affect an entire neighborhood. But other plumbing problems can have the same symptoms. Once you're sure the culprit is high water pressure, have a plumber install a pressure-regulator.
If you already have a pressure-regulating valve, don't try to adjust it yourself. It's tricky, and best left to a professional.
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