When it comes to plumbing, there are a few items around the house that homeowners can adjust on their own. Unfortunately, the temptation to turn a dial just a bit higher can have some unforeseen consequences down the road. If you want to avoid higher utility bills or costly future repairs, then avoid these three plumbing extremes.

1. Too Much Water Pressure

If your home uses city water, then you may be able to adjust the flow rate by using a screw found on your water regulator. This ability to make small adjustments can be welcome if your home has water pressure issues, but going too far can have some fairly dire consequences. Even worse, it can be easy to misjudge how much is "too much."

When it comes to water pressure, excess amounts can damage the structure of your home's pipes and exacerbate existing problems. Over time, this can lead to noisy plumbing and leaks. Overly high water pressure can even damage your appliances by wearing away the gaskets at their fittings. Because of the potential damage, it's best to call in a plumber if you feel that your home's water pressure is too low.

2. Too Much Heat

Adjusting the temperature of your home's water is almost shockingly easy. In most cases, you can raise or lower the temperature by adjusting a thermostat on the front of your water heater. Recommendations for the correct temperature can vary, but a range of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is common.

Turning your water heater temperature up might be tempting if you're concerned about bacteria (or just like hot water),  but doing so creates a significant scalding hazard. Additionally, the extra workload can wear out components in your water heater much more quickly while driving up your utility bills. It's generally best to stick within the recommended range whenever possible.

3. Too Much Frugality

Is it possible to go a little overboard when it comes to saving water? If you're adjusting your toilet's float, then the answer is "yes." The fill valve in your toilet includes an adjustable float that alters the amount of water stored in the tank. When you flush your toilet, the water from the tank empties into the bowl to push the contents harmlessly away into the sewer system or your septic tank.

By lowering the float, you can reduce the amount of water in the tank and save a bit on your water bill with each flush. Going too low will leave you with a toilet that can't flush thoroughly, however. Not only does this leave waste in your toilet bowl, but it can mean that you'll need to flush multiple times and ultimately use more water.

Knowing how to adjust certain aspects of your plumbing is an important skill, but it's crucial not to go too far. When in doubt, always contact a professional to maintain and adjust your home's plumbing system.

To learn more, contact a plumber.

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