The name is actually quite literal. It's a valve that relieves excess pressure in the water heater tank. By doing so, it can prevent excess pressure buildup that has the potential to cause a tank burst and flood your home. It's an unheralded but essential safety mechanism for your water heater.
1. A Water Regulator Valve May Be Needed to Save Water. If the water pressure level coming into your home from the city exceeds 80 psi, you need a water pressure regulator. Reducing the system pressure 10 to 20 psi can save thousands of gallons a year in the typical home.
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.
Water heater temperature and pressure relief valves, or T&P valves, are a safety feature found on all tank water heaters. The valve should always be in good working order to ensure the water heater is safe in the event of extreme pressure buildup.
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.
Testing your water pressure PSI (pounds per square inch) is the best way to determine if you need a water pressure regulator to avoid plumbing problems. A PSI between 50 and 70 is ideal. You're in the danger zone if you're hitting 80, and you may even be in code violation at that level.
Ultimately, such pressure can damage water-using appliances and may even lead to leaks and the problem known as water hammer. Fortunately, you can keep your water pressure within a safe range by installing a pressure regulator valve on your main water line.
Water heaters come equipped with a temperature and pressure relief valve, also known as a TPRV. This valve allows water or steam to escape from the water heater if the temperature or pressure gets too high. This prevents a water heater from exploding or turning into a missile.
The most common cause of high pressure in a hot water heater is the excessive buildup of steam or air within the tank.
Pressure Relief Valve Replacement
Replacing a pressure relief valve can cost on average between $200 and $300 if hiring a professional, A homeowner can replace their own pressure relief valve with a bit of plumbing experience and a couple of basic tools, and the part alone costs $20.
PRV placement
Installing them to the mains supply after the main shut off valve will accurately control the system pressure. PRVs will also control the flow rate of the water running through the system – this protects fittings and appliances from experiencing blowouts of water at a fast rate at any outlet.
Where is it located? A water pressure regulator, if you have one, is usually located where the main water line comes into the house and after the main shut off valve. This way if you need to work on or change the water pressure regulator you can simply shut off the water main to do so.
How Well Do You Know Your PRV (Pressure Reducing Valve)? Building codes typically require PRVs in houses, although older homes sometimes don't have them. Most commonly, your PRV is installed near the main shutoff in your home.
How long will a Water Pressure Reducing Valve last? The life expectancy of a water pressure regulator is most commonly in the range of 10 to 15 years. However, you may see a regulator malfunction at three years and one still properly functioning at 20 years old if regularly maintained.
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.
A pressure reducing valve protects your pipe and your plumbing fitting from bursting due to high water pressure. High water pressure can put stress on your pipes, causing them to break or damage the plumbing fitting leading to leaks.
By releasing some of the hot water and air, the valve lowers the pressure back down to safe levels. For reference, the normal pressure of the water inside of the water heater tank is 50-100 PSI.
Most experts recommend 50-60 psi. If your old water heater leaked prematurely, check your home's water pressure with a pressure gauge with a lazy hand (available at hardware stores and home centers for a few dollars). Measure the water pressure over a 24-hour period.
Your water heater pressure-relief valve—also known as a T&P valve—is a critically important safety feature of your water heater. In short, this valve helps alleviate excess pressure from within your water heater, helping prevent potential tank bursts and leaks.
The spring in the diaphragm can lose tension over time. Make sure you replace your PRV every 4-5 years to avoid problems due to age.
Generally, there are 3 reasons to consider with a leaking overflow pipe; increased water pressure, faulty float valve, and overused washer. When there is increased water pressure in the tank, it will force the water out the overflow pipe. Partially tightening the inlet valve can lower water pressure.
Where the T&P discharge pipe discharges to a floor or waste receptor, such as a floor drain, the opening of the pipe must not be any higher than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or receptor. This precaution is necessary to keep any hot water discharge from splashing and possibly causing injury to someone nearby.
While pressure-reducing valves reduce or limit incoming pressures, pressure regulators maintain constant outlet pressures regardless of upstream or downstream fluctuations.
Generally speaking, most water shut-off valves last between 10 to 20 years. However, they can last longer, depending on the material you choose. For example, brass valves can last about eight to 10 years, while stainless steel can last over 30 years.
Water heaters have a safety component that is called the Temperate and Pressure Relief Valve. Sometimes, plumbers or others in the industry will referred to it as a Pressure Regulator Valve (PRV).