Pipes and fittings are designed for a range of pressure, and when a house sees too much for years, it causes failures in the weak points: supply hoses, fixture connections, water heaters and joints. This page is about checking that, in addition to the repair itself. We’re a referral service with no local office; a plumber who is free when you call will confirm whether they can come to your address.
What’s normal?
Most homes run at around 40 to 60 psi. Plumbing codes generally cap household pressure at 80 psi, and a pressure reducing valve is meant to keep it below that. Pressure that is higher, or that spikes, wears out fittings, makes toilets run, causes banging pipes, and can shorten the life of water heaters and appliances.
How to check it
- Buy a pressure gauge. They’re inexpensive and screw onto an outdoor hose tap or a washing machine connection.
- Read it when nothing is running. Overnight or early morning readings are often highest, because demand in the area is low.
- Look for a pressure reducing valve (PRV). It’s a bell-shaped brass fitting near where the main enters the house. If there isn’t one, or the pressure is high anyway, it may need adjusting or replacing.
- Tell the plumber the reading. They can test too and fix the cause.
Thermal expansion and water heaters
When a water heater heats water in a closed system, the water expands, and pressure can spike if there’s nowhere for it to go. Some houses have an expansion tank for this purpose. If a relief valve on your water heater keeps dripping, or you notice pressure that jumps when the heater runs, ask a plumber to check it.
What to do if a pipe has already burst
Close the main valve, open a low tap to drain the lines, keep clear of anything electrical, and call. The repair process is described on our emergency burst pipe repair page. Ask the plumber to check the pressure as part of the visit, since a repair doesn’t help if the cause is still there. If leaks keep happening in different places, the discussion on pipe replacement may be relevant.
Properties in Great Falls Estates and Glen Hills often have longer lines, and the length of a line can affect pressure. Our page on burst pipe repair across Potomac, MD gives the overall picture.
Questions people ask
What is a safe water pressure for a house?
Can I adjust a pressure reducing valve myself?
Burst pipe services you can ask for
Emergency Burst Pipe Repair
A split pipe or blown joint with water actively escaping.
Pipe Replacement / Repiping
Replacing worn-out or failing pipe, in part or the whole house.
Main Water Line Repair
The line that carries water from the street into your house.
A note on this guide. This page is general information, last reviewed October 2026. It can’t replace a plumber looking at your actual pipes, and Burst Pipe Fix Pros does not perform plumbing work.