Low water pressure gets all the complaints — but it's high pressure that quietly does expensive damage. In many parts of Johannesburg, municipal pressure runs higher than your fittings are designed for. Here's how to spot it.
The warning signs
- Pipes that bang or "hammer" when you close a tap (water hammer)
- Taps that splutter or blast water
- A geyser overflow that drips constantly
- Mixers that drip again soon after being serviced
- Burst flexi-hoses under basins or behind the toilet
Why it matters
Excess pressure forces your geyser's safety valves to release over and over — wasting water, stressing the cylinder and shortening its life — and it's a leading cause of burst flexi-hoses and dripping mixers. It's working against your whole plumbing system every day.
The simple fix
A pressure reducing valve (PRV) on your incoming supply lowers and stabilises pressure to a safe ~400 kPa, protecting your geyser, taps, mixers and pipes all at once. It's inexpensive insurance against far costlier damage — see our PRV guide.
Not sure?
We can test your incoming pressure and fit a PRV if it's running high. See water pressure services or book a pressure check.