How to Reduce Water Pressure

Each city establishes a maximum water pressure for each neighborhood. You cannot raise the water pressure past this point. However, if you find that you have too much water pressure, you can easily reduce the water pressure yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers

Instructions

How to Reduce Water Pressure

1. Locate pressure reducer. This is usually located next to the cut-off valve, which can be found where the water line comes into your house.

2. Adjust pressure reducer. The pressure reducer is cone-shaped with a stem sticking out from the cone. Using a pair of pliers, turn the stem counter-clockwise several times--six to eight times, usually--to reduce the water pressure.

3. Turn on a faucet inside the house to determine if the pressure has been lowered. (Note: If you are unable to reduce your water pressure by adjusting the pressure reducer, your pressure reducer needs replacing.)

4. If you discover you have no pressure reducer, one will need to be installed. If this is the case, call a licensed and experienced plumber. You probably do not have the tools and/or the expertise to install a pressure reducer yourself. (Your home may not have a pressure reducer because the water pressure in your area is not that high. In this case, a pressure reducer is not needed.)

Tips & Warnings

• Most homes do have pressure reducers except in areas where the water pressure is not that high. (Whether or not you have a pressure reducer has nothing to do with the age of your home.) However, changes in the water pressure in your neighborhood (i.e., the city decides to increase it) will often require installation of a pressure reducer. If this is the case, the city will usually notify you of the upcoming increase in pressure and recommend that a pressure reducer be installed prior to the increase.

• Installing or replacing a pressure reducer usually requires the services of a licensed and professional plumber.

References

• Watts: Water Safety & Flow Control