The technical name of this brass contraption is, pressure-reducing valve, but in the field of plumbing, it is called a pressure regulator, PRV or pressure reg. I'm going to explain to you the importance of Mr. Pressure Reg and give you examples of diagnosing when he is sick or too old and needs to be put to rest. (Psst… He is made of brass and can be recycled!!)

 

 

First of all, the purpose of the pressure regulator is to reduce the pressure of water that is supplied from the main water supply source (municipal or well water supply) to your home. Water supply to homes are distributed at a very high pressure to reach all the homes on the block, the pressure reducing valve reduces this pressure to a more efficient and manageable pressure for your home.

 

The preferred water pressure for a home is 70psi; the Uniform Plumbing Code requires the pressure to be below 80psi. Standards for pressure readings during a home inspection are settings of 50psi to 70psi to pass.

 

You can check your water pressure by purchasing a water pressure gauge, attach it to a hose bib (located after the PRV) the kitchen faucet or the drain valve on your water heater, turn the water on and watch the needle. It is important that water in the home not be turned on during this test, as it will reduce the reading. Another note on reading your homes water pressure, sometimes a reading will be in the acceptable range, but if the gauge is left on for 15 minutes or more and rechecked, it could rise. If this happens, it is a sign that the pressure regulator is weak and may soon fail.

 

 

Now, if your water pressure reading is too high or too low, you can adjust the valve accordingly, there is a screw on the top of the valve, by turning this screw either clockwise or counter-clockwise, you can decrease or increase the water pressure – that is if the valve is working properly. Leave the gauge connected, adjust the screw until the needle reads the pressure you desire. It is important that after you make the adjustment, you leave the gauge on and check it again in 24 hours or less. If the pressure is back up to where it was before the adjustment, your pressure-reducing valve is bad and needs to be replaced.

 

A failing or failed pressure reducing valve has symptoms, just like an illness or a struggling or failing organ in your body. A good plumber, like a doctor, will be able to relate the symptoms and diagnose the problem. These symptoms are:

 

Discharge of temperature/pressure relief valve on the water heater (most common symptom)

 

 

 

Water Heater tank failures (Generally for tanks less than 6 years old)

 

Just as you pay attention to the aches and pains of your body, it is important to pay attention to the fixtures of your home. Here is a good example of what COULD happen if you choose to ignore a symptom.

 

We received a call for a water leak in a wall between two bathrooms of an office building. Upon arrival, we were shown a puddle of water on the floor and the paint on the drywall was bubbled and peeling away. This is a sign of the drywall being saturated with water. Each bathroom had its own small water heater sitting on the floor under the sinks. We were informed that the water heater in the Men's room had been expelling water every so often from the T&P Relief Valve for about two years. The owner's "fix" for this was a catch pan for the water discharge placed under the drainpipe of the T&P Relief Valve. Problem solved he thought.

 

After further examination, we found that the water heater tank in the Women's bathroom had failed, leaking water onto the floor and draining to the low spot, which was the wall, where it was absorbed by the drywall. Please note that this water heater was "new", one year old.

 

These symptoms were signs of a failed water pressure-reducing valve. Sure enough, the water pressure to the building was 100psi. The owner's "fix" two years ago of a catch basin for the water, turned into a multiple repair job with a price tag of $1,100 instead of $200 for a new pressure reg. He now has a new pressure reg., new T&P valve on a water heater, another new water heater, and two new sheets of drywall, textured and painted.

 

Your plumbing may be talking to you right now, are you listening?