Mitigating excessive water pressure in the plumbing systems of Victorian houses

What we are doing and why

The BPC is supporting research by Deakin University to investigate practical ways to manage excessive water pressure in residential plumbing systems and reduce the risk of plumbing failures, leaks and water damage.

This project builds on findings from Deakin University’s previous BPC-supported research investigating water pressure in the plumbing systems of Victorian houses, which found that residential plumbing systems within the study were frequently exposed to pressures above the regulatory limit of 500 kPa for extended periods. The research identified several contributing factors, including the absence of boundary pressure control devices, thermal expansion associated with water heating systems, and pressure surges that can become trapped within plumbing systems.

To better understand these issues and identify effective solutions, this project will establish a physical residential plumbing system test facility at Deakin University's School of Engineering. The test facility will incorporate a range of common fixtures, flexible hoses, pressure control devices and water heating technologies, including electric, gas and heat pump systems and replicate real-world household plumbing conditions.

Using the high-frequency pressure monitoring platform developed through the earlier BPC-supported project, researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of different pressure management approaches. The researchers will:

• examine the performance of boundary pressure control configurations, including Pressure Limiting Valves (PLVs) and Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs), in reducing excessive water pressure
• quantify the effects of thermal expansion from different water heating technologies, and
• investigate how pressure surges can become trapped within plumbing systems, particularly in flexible braided hoses connected to mini-cistern taps.

The research is being undertaken by Dr James Gong and Brendan Josey and is supported by the BPC through a research grant awarded in 2026. In-kind support is being provided by Master Plumbers and Barwon Water.

What difference this will make

By supporting this research, the BPC is helping to build the evidence base for practical cost-effective water pressure management solutions. The findings will help inform industry guidance and best practice, improve consumer protection, improve the resilience of residential plumbing systems, and support future improvements to plumbing regulations and standards.

What we have achieved so far

The research commenced in October 2026 and is due for completion in 2028.

Related research

This research complements other BPC-supported research that aims to reduce harms associated with moisture ingress, water damage and other risks that affect the safety, performance and durability of buildings, including:

• Assessment of mould growth risk in regulatory compliant 6 and 7 Star new homes in Victoria
• Assessment of thermal bridging in Victorian apartment buildings
• Designing and building safely on Victoria’s expansive soils
• Examining indoor mould and moisture damage in Victorian residential buildings
• Examining moisture related disputes in Victorian residential buildings
• Investigating water pressure in the plumbing systems of Victorian houses
• Investigation of water leakage in residential apartment (concrete) balconies