How much does it cost to fix high water pressure?
Updated
Short answer
Checking the home's water pressure costs $10 to $15, which is the gauge, and takes 5 to 10 minutes. Fixing high pressure costs more: a plumber charges $250 to $600 to replace a failed pressure regulator on the main line. The test is cheap and the fix isn't, but a house running above 80 psi is wearing out every hose, valve and appliance it has, and the regulator costs less than the first one of those to fail.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $10 to $15 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $250 to $600 |
| Total | $10 to $15 | $250 to $600 |
The DIY column is the test: a gauge that screws onto a hose faucet and lasts for years. The pro column is the repair, if the test finds a problem: a new regulator, fitted on the main line by a plumber.
What drives the cost
- Whether the pressure is high. Most tests come back fine, and the cost stops at the gauge. The regulator is only needed when the reading is above 80 psi.
- Adjust or replace. Some regulators have an adjustment screw, and a plumber will try turning it down before replacing the unit. A regulator that won't hold its setting is replaced.
- Whether there's a regulator at all. A house with none needs one installed, which is the same job as replacing one plus a little pipework.
- Access. A regulator in a meter box, a crawl space or behind a finished wall takes longer to reach.
- An expansion tank. On a closed system with a water heater, a plumber may recommend an expansion tank alongside the regulator, which adds to the price and protects the heater.
DIY vs. pro
The test is yours, and it's the cheapest diagnostic in the house. How often to check your home's water pressure is once a year, and the gauge screws on like a hose. Read it, write it down, and you know whether the plumbing is being stressed.
The fix is a plumber's. A regulator sits on the main line, replacing it means shutting the water at the street, and getting the setting right matters. The $250 to $600 is money well spent if the reading is high, because the alternative is the water heater's relief valve weeping, the washer hoses bulging, and the faucets dripping one after another until something lets go.
FAQ
How much does a water pressure gauge cost?
$10 to $15 at any hardware store. It screws onto a hose faucet and gives a reading in seconds.
How much does it cost to replace a pressure regulator?
$250 to $600 from a plumber, including shutting off the water and setting the new regulator.
Can I adjust the water pressure myself?
If the regulator has an adjustment screw, a small turn can lower it, but a regulator that needs adjusting is often one that's failing. Have a plumber set it and check it holds.
Is high water pressure really a problem?
Yes. Above 80 psi, every hose, valve, appliance and the water heater is under more stress than it was built for, and they fail early. The regulator is cheaper than any of them.