Is your dishwasher water pressure too high?
Some people have a problem with low water pressure in their homes, and it is far too common. However, there are also those who worry about having high water pressure in their home. It can be observed in their dishwasher, which can indeed be a nuisance.
So, how does this happen and what should you do when you notice this problem with your kitchen appliance?
These are the topics we will discuss today to help you determine the reasons behind a high water pressure in your dishwasher and what can be done to fix it. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Causes Of Dishwasher Water Pressure Too High
Do you hear a loud banging noise when you use your dishwasher? Or perhaps, there seems to be a leak at one point or another each time you do the dishes? When you notice these issues happening with your dishwasher, then it is possible that you have a high water pressure problem. And most importantly, it may be affecting not just this appliance but your entire home.
This is why it is good to pay close attention to the signs and symptoms of high water pressure to have it addressed before things get worse.
First, there are a few signs you will notice that point toward a problem with your dishwasher water pressure being too high. These include failing appliances, leaks in your fixtures, burst hoses, and banging, loud sounds in the pipes.
Now, when there is high pressure in your home, you can hear a banging noise from your pipes. This is also known as a water hammer, which occurs when there is a sudden halt in a speeding heavy water pressure. Your fixture whether it is a valve or a faucet can cause the water to stop in its tracks. This is why it leads to shock waves being sent in your plumbing system through the water.
Therefore, strong vibrations may be heard in your pipes, which confirms that you have a high water pressure problem not just in your dishwasher but also in your entire home.
Also, if you have leaking fixtures, this may also mean that you have a problem with high water pressure. Once the PSI has gone over 80, it can cause your water fixtures to fail. Thus, the faucets may leak or spit, or you may also see a tiny stream of water being sprayed out of the fixtures.
And lastly, when there is too much water pressure, your appliance may eventually break. The intense water force causes the appliance to fail. This strong pressure usually affects the internal components. Because of high pressure going over 80 PSI, your appliance may fail. Hence, you may end up having to get your technician to repair your dishwasher for a repair.
Now, there are many reasons why high water pressure happens. For instance, this depends on where your property is located. The standard pressure is usually up to 5 bars. Then, there is the case with living in a place near a fire hydrant. When fire hydrants are operated, a stronger stream is required. So, the water pressure in your home may be too high.
Additionally, maintenance work done by your water network can also impact the pressure. With air being trapped in the pipes, the pressure increases temporarily. Hence, it would be helpful to run the taps for a few minutes. This can sometimes fix the problem.
If you have an abnormal water pressure, this may also be due to the water supply network getting re-routed. Thankfully, if this is a case with the water network, they should resume the normal distribution of water promptly. But at the same time, you need to check if the pressure is linked with the installations and fixtures in your home.
Read more: Do You Need Rinse Aid With Dishwasher Tablets?
How To Fix Dishwasher Water Pressure Too High
Considering all of these causes of a heavy water pressure, you may be wondering how to solve this issue. If you are looking to fix the issue yourself, here are a few steps you can try.
1. Use a water pressure gauge to test.
First things first – you need to know if there really is high water pressure. Sometimes, there may be other reasons why your appliances or fixtures break. Thus, it is good to know what the real cause is.
Using a gauge, you can measure the liquid’s applied force while at rest. It should be easy to use and there are fairly simple parts including the fitting, braided hose and a dial indicator.
When you need to check the water pressure in your home, doing a pressure gauge test should be an effective method. You can also find this tool either online or at hardware stores. Check the pressure if it is under 80 PSI. Once it is more than that, you need to have this issue addressed sooner than later.
2. Use your pressure reduction valve.
There is a valve controlling the water flow through an internal diaphragm. You can simply set this regulator to an ideal setting. But you can also fit a new pressure reduction valve to address the high water pressure issue. This does require some plumbing skills and the ability to install this instrument. So, unless you are skilled in this task, it is best to contact a professional to do this for you.
3. Contact the company.
If you have not seen any changes to the water pressure even after doing the second method, then the last resort is to contact the company. Your water company should be able to get this issue remedied. By doing so, you can prevent further damage to your appliances that high water pressure causes.
Conclusion
Having a dishwasher water pressure running too high is not fun. It is concerning, plus it can cause damage to fixtures and in other parts of your home. So, be sure to try these tips and have the problem addressed sooner than later.