RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING & FLOOD PREVENTION EXPERTS
Fun Fact of the Week: Water Pressure
Fun Fact of the Week: Water Pressure
This week McAdams Plumbing is going to discuss how water pressure can wreck havoc on your home. Got your attention? Good.
Dishwasher Flood Damage
Let’s talk numbers.
A waterline failure at 70 pounds of pressure can discharge around 650 gallons of water in an hour. That’s enough to fill an 8′ x 30″ pool! So what happens if you’re at work or out of town? That water just keeps flowing all through your home. We talked before about how destructive water can be. You can bet it will ruin floors, walls, possessions, and pretty much anything else available.
Washing Machine Waterlines
So what kind of fixtures in your home carry this kind of pressure? All of them. From your ice machine maker to your toilet supply, even your washing machine hose, they all carry the same pressure. The water in your home works in what’s called a “closed system,’ so all of your appliances and fixtures that have water running to them carry the same pressure.
So what can you do? Simply monitor your water lines. Look for signs of wear like cracks or minor leaks. If you see these make sure you replace the lines right away. For appliances like washing machines, the hoses are made from reinforced rubber, so it’s recommended that you replace them every 3-5 years due to wear.
It also never hurts to invest in a product like the WaterCop Automatic Water Shut-Off Valve. This device works remotely to shut off the incoming water supply to your home if water leaks are detected. MP is a big fan of this product so you can find information about it on our main website.
Hope you enjoyed today’s blog. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for future topics please use the “Leave a Reply” space below. The Proof is in the Plumbing!
-MP
