Pressure exceeding 30 psi can damage drip irrigation systems, and many homes have water pressure twice that. So, in most cases, a pressure regulator will be necessary to protect a drip system and help it work properly.
Pressure regulators are generally installed on the outflow side of the valves. It should be placed after the backflow preventer and filter.
Most if not all, pressurized irrigation systems will require a pressure regulator. An exception to this would be if you are using a gravity system with very low pressure, or very low flow.
Do I need a water pressure regulator? Building code requires that homes that receive water with pressure greater than 80 PSI have a water pressure regulator. A home's water pressure should stay in the range of 40 to 60 PSI.
Adding a Water Pressure Regulator Protects Your Appliances
High water pressure can prematurely wear out appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine, water softener, and water heater.
Put simply, while it may not happen immediately, water flowing at a rate in excess of that necessary to fulfill routine fixture or appliance demands can become damaging, wasteful, and reduce the life expectancy of equipment in the system.
The price of pressure reducing valves starts at around $50. You can expect to pay around $350 for a professional plumber to install a new pressure reducing valve. Homeowners who prefer getting their hands dirty and installing things themselves can purchase one and install it themselves.
Do All Homes Have a Water Pressure Regulator? No, and in some cases, you may not need one. Certain municipal supplies regulate their water pressure safely, but if that pressure runs above 80 psi, you'll want to protect your plumbing system by installing one.
Water Pressure Readings
Normal water pressure is generally between 40 and 60 PSI. Most homeowners prefer something right in the middle around 50 PSI. Once you measure the water pressure in your house, you can adjust it to a setting that is ideal for all family members and household uses.
Operating under too much pressure can cause misting, fogging, overspray, and uneven coverage. Courtesy of the Irrigation Association.
Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch – also called psi. The average water pressure for most homes and businesses is between 30 psi and 50 psi; most sprinkler systems are designed to use pressures of around 30 psi.
For spray heads, it is 30 psi, with an operating range of 15 to 30 psi. For drip lines, this is about 20 psi, with an operating range of 15 to 30 psi. Remember, flow rate and pressure are directly related to one another. If pressure is not well-controlled, irrigation efficiency will suffer.
This holds the pressure 10 to 15 psi (0.69 to 1.03 bar) above the design pressure and helps protects downstream components from a high pressure surge. Remember: a pressure regulator MUST be installed downstream (after) from all shut-off valves.
After the hose end timer, screw on the backflow preventer, then the filter, and then the pressure regulator.
In order to provide safe pressure for your entire home, the pressure regulator must lie on your main water line. Try looking where your main water line enters your home. The first attachment should be the main shut off valve, and the next should be the regulator. Plumbers almost always install the shut off valve first.
Generally speaking, most regulator valves have a life span of between 7 and 12 years. If you have recently noticed any abrupt changes in the water pressure in your home, an internal component in your pressure regulator may have failed.
A pressure reducing valve usually resembles a bell or dome. As mentioned earlier, you'll usually see it alongside a gauge. It may be built right into your water meter. In most cases, however, you'll find the valve in the form of a separate device that lies after the meter within your home's water supply chain.
While pressure-reducing valves reduce or limit incoming pressures, pressure regulators maintain constant outlet pressures regardless of upstream or downstream fluctuations.
The pressure regulator is usually installed downstream (on the house side) of the water meter, near the house on new installations. These can be purchased at a home improvement/plumbing supply store and are relatively simple to install, and could be a do-it-yourself project.
Checking the water pressure of your home can be done in a number of ways, such as calling your water supplier or plumber. A plumber will use a pressure gauge tool, which you can buy yourself and fix to a tap.
Pressure Relief Valve – $20 to $200
If you notice that the valve is consistently leaking, it may mean that the tank's pressure is too high, or you might simply have a faulty/clogged valve. The cost of a new pressure relief valve is about $20, and repairs may total to $200.
Yes. They are required by the Federal Housing Administration, the regional plumbing codes such as IPC and UPC, and numerous city and state codes. The requirement is that whenever the city main water pressure exceeds 80 lbs., a water pressure reducing valve must be installed.
Make sure you replace your PRV every 4-5 years to avoid problems due to age.