Did you ever wonder what it means when you hear an advertisement that states “We are licensed and insured. “   It sounds like a terrific and reputable catch phrase right?  Licensed and insured – wow these guys must be good.  After all, to get a license and insurance takes a lot of doing right? … Well before we jump to conclusions, let’s examine what licensing and insurance are all about.  Chances are that the answer will surprise you.
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Your water pressure is critical in getting things like your shower, your toilet and your faucets to work. Too little and all you see is a trickle – Too much and you risk damaging your plumbing and possibly flooding your home.

Your water pressure should be no higher than 80 psi. The easiest way to check your water pressure is by putting a gauge on an outside wall faucet or simply having your plumber check it out for you.

City water pressures in Bozeman and Livingston are sometimes 110 psi and above in many locations around town. If left unchecked, pressure exceeding 80 psi will damage your home plumbing fixtures and piping, possibly causing a leak or even worse, a flood.

If you find that your water pressure exceeds the safe limit of 80 psi, a pressure reducing valve, or PRV should be installed on the incoming water supply for your home. In fact, local ordinances and the plumbing code require a PRV to be installed under these circumstances. It’s that important to you and your home’s safety.

Above is a picture of a typical pressure reducing valve found in Bozeman and Livingston. Be sure anybody installing a PRV for your home is a licensed plumber.

~Check out my article on choosing the right plumber in Bozeman and Livingston here.~

According to State Farm Insurance Statistics, washing machine hose failures cost American and Canadian home owners close to $170 million in damages every year. Take a quick second next time you’re doing laundry and check the condition of your hoses. Look for bulging or other visible damage to the hose. Pay particular attention to the coupling fittings on both ends. If you see anything suspicious, replace the hose as soon as possible. They are easy to change out and can possibly save you thousands of dollars in water damage.

Change out your old rubber washing machine hoses for high quality stainless steel ones. Also be sure to leave at least 4 inches between the back of the machine and the wall to prevent the hose from kinking.

A failure in one of these hoses can flood your home with several hundred gallons of water every hour. Taking a few seconds now can save you from a disaster later.