You depend on your plumber for regular pipe maintenance in your home. There is one small thing you can do yourself, however, to ensure that your pipes have just the right amount of water pressure.

A reliable pressure gauge and a pressure release valve should be installed near the water main shutoff valve. You can adjust the pressure to fit your preference, but you want to make sure it stays between 25 and 75 psi to protect your pipes.

You can replace a broken gauge or valve with a wrench and some elbow grease. Most home improvement stores should have a selection of valves and gauges so that you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your house. Protecting your pipes can be as easy as adding a water pressure check to your regular home maintenance list.