A lack of water pressure causes fixtures to run slowly. Too much pressure often results in leaks and humming pipes. Some plumbing systems give some control over the water pressure with a water pressure-reducing valve. When adjusting the valve, the final pressure should remain between 50 and 60 pounds per square inch.
Adjusting the pressure-reducing valve does not remedy problems due to the supply line. Most municipalities provide consumer information concerning pressure at which the water system operates. If the supplied pressure is greater than the desired range, the valve is useful in adjusting it to an appropriate flow.
If the plumbing normally operates at an acceptable range, but the home experiences a sudden drop in pressure, the problem is normally not with the pressure valve. A break in a line or a problem at the pumping station is usually responsible for the pressure drop. In such cases, the best approach is to wait until the municipality fixes the external problem, leaving the valve at its current setting.
