A water pressure regulator valve is a device that is engineered to control the water pressure in your home. Most pipes can reliably support water pressure of about 80 psi (pounds per square inch). However, pipes are designed to accommodate brief periods of high water pressure. The pipes in your house are engineered to withstand water pressure ratings between 100 – 150 psi for a short period of time. However, you may begin to notice plumbing problems if the water pressure in your home is continuously above 80 psi. Here are 3 reasons to install a pressure reducer valve in your house.
Advantages of Using Water Pressure Reducing Valves
Increases the Lifespan of Your Fixtures & Pipes
A water pressure regulator valve will protect your pipes, fixtures, and shower heads from the devastating effects of high water pressure. This will help expand the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures, appliances, and system. Since you won’t have to worry about fixing the sinks or fixtures in your home, you can allocate that money towards renovations or vacations with family.
Reduces the Probability of Pipe Bursts
High water pressure increases the risk of a pipe breach throughout the year, but in the winter, those odds get even worse. When water freezes in the winter, it may expand and cause your pipes to burst. To avoid a costly water line repair, we recommend investing in a water pressure regulator valve for your house.
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Saves Money on Water
When the water pressure in your home is too high, more of it will be wasted while you are washing the dishes or taking a shower. A water pressure reducing valve will cut down on wasted water and save you some money on your monthly bills.
How a Water Pressure Regulator Valve Operates
A water pressure regulator valve is installed near the main water shutoff valve on a property. Pressure regulators are equipped with a spring mechanism that can be tightened with a tool to increase the total pressure in the valve. Once the spring is tightened, the incoming water pressure from the main water line will be decreased before it is distributed to the fixtures and appliances in your home.
On the other hand, the spring in the pressure regulator valve can be loosened to increase the water pressure in your house. Investing in a pressure regulator will help prolong the lifespan of the shutoff valves on your property. In addition, a pressure valve is designed to alleviate stress on the interior valves of appliances. This valve is utilized by professionals to eliminate variations in water pressure in homes.
3 Types of Issues With Water Pressure Reducing Valves
Defective Components
A water pressure reducing valve is integrated with a temperature defiant diaphragm that is connected to a spring. The diaphragm is responsive to pressure and will close tightly when the water pressure is too high. If the incoming water pressure is too low, the diaphragm will cause the spring mechanism to open. Although a water pressure regulator valve is assembled with durable parts, it’s interior components will start to deteriorate over time.
Once the internal parts of the pressure reducing valve on your property become damaged, they will be less reactive to changes in pressure. The average life cycle of a water pressure regulator valve varies from 8 to 12 years. If you notice a drastic increase in water pressure when you are showering or washing the dishes, this is a sign of a broken pressure reducing valve.
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Clogs
A screw near the top of the pressure reducing valve allows you to enhance or restrict the flow of water in the valve. Tightening the screw will decrease the total amount of water that is circulated to the faucets and appliances in your household. You can easily loosen or tighten the screw to adjust the water pressure in your shower, kitchen, or basement. If the water pressure on your property is low, this is a sign of a blockage in the water pressure regulator valve.
As water is dispersed through the pressure valve, a buildup of minerals may start to form over time. Once the buildup of limescale becomes severe, the flow of water through the pressure valve will be negatively impacted. The only way to improve your water pressure is to hire a certified technician to dismantle and clean your pressure regulator valve. Soak the valve in a limescale resistant solution to eliminate excess mineral deposits. Next, you will need to reconstruct the pressure reducer valve to restore the water in your home.
Wrong Pressure Setting
Water regulator valves are integrated with a screw that allows you to modify the pressure applied to the spring mechanism inside the valve. Once the screw is tightened, it will become harder for water to circulate through the diaphragm. On the other hand, releasing pressure from the screw will have an opposite reaction. If the water pressure is low in your home, do not have an anxiety attack.
The source of the weak water pressure may be a low pressure setting on the pressure reducing valve. The valve can be adjusted to increase the water pressure in your household. A majority of reducer valves feature a maximum pre-set pressure rating of 50 psi. Luckily, the maximum pressure rating can be easily adjusted by a licensed technician.
Emergency Plumbing Services
WM Henderson provides emergency plumbing repair services to homes in areas of Pennsylvania such as Drexel Hill, Havertown, Broomall, West Chester, and Ardmore. Give us a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 to book an appointment to receive assistance with an issue. Our team of licensed plumbers offers various types of plumbing services such as water heater repair, gas line installation, sump pump replacement, and water softener repair. If you are encountering the negative consequences of a basement flood or a pipe burst, call a certified plumber on our team to receive support.