Your home’s plumbing system relies on proper water pressure to operate safely and efficiently. One of the most important components controlling that pressure is the pressure regulating valve (PRV), typically located on the main waterline where water enters your home.
A PRV reduces the incoming municipal water pressure to a safe level for your home’s plumbing system. When a PRV fails, excessive or inconsistent water pressure can place unnecessary stress on pipes, faucets, toilets, water heaters and appliances. Over time, this can lead to leaks, damaged fixtures, premature appliance failure and costly plumbing repairs.
At Godek Plumbing & Gas, we regularly discover failed or improperly functioning PRVs during service calls and plumbing inspections. In fact, we find a failed PRV in approximately ONE of every THREE homes we put a test gauge on! Many homeowners don’t realize there is a problem because a failing PRV can develop gradually without obvious warning signs.
In most cases, failed PRV’s are a silent killer and most people are totally unaware of their failure. This can put major and unnecessary stress on your piping system and fixtures, which over time leads to costly damage and repairs. Common, more noticeable signs can include high pressure at faucets, banging or noisy pipes, dripping fixtures, leaking appliances or inconsistent water flow. A PRV may fail by becoming stuck open, allowing excessive pressure into the home, or it may restrict water flow and cause low pressure throughout the plumbing system.
When we suspect a PRV issue, our technicians begin by testing incoming water pressure with professional pressure-testing gauges. We check the static pressure and, when necessary, pressure while water is flowing. This allows us to determine whether the PRV is functioning correctly and identify any related plumbing concerns.
If the PRV has failed, we explain our findings to the homeowner and recommend the appropriate repair or replacement. A PRV will usually have a lifespan of 10-20 years which is dependant on incoming water quality. Replacing a PRV typically involves shutting off the main water supply, removing the failed valve, installing a properly sized replacement, and ensuring all connections are secure and leak-free.
Professional installation is important because the new valve must be correctly sized, installed, and adjusted for the home. At Godek Plumbing & Gas, we take the time to inspect the surrounding plumbing, verify the installation, adjust the water pressure as needed, and test the system before completing the repair.
A properly functioning PRV is an important part of protecting your home’s plumbing system. Addressing a failing valve early can help reduce stress on pipes and fixtures, protect appliances, and prevent avoidable water damage and repairs.
If you’re experiencing high, low, or inconsistent water pressure, our team can help! Our professional technicians can test your water pressure, determine whether your PRV is functioning properly, and provide a reliable repair or replacement when needed.
Don’t wait for a failed pressure regulating valve to leave you with costly repairs. Give us a call and our team will help protect your home the way we do best!
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