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.
A water pressure regulator is a dome-shaped brass fitting that is generally found just past the main shutoff valve, where the main water line enters the house. It usually has an adjustment screw on top.
The pressure regulator is usually installed downstream (on the house side) of the water meter, near the house on new installations.
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.
A water pressure regulator, also known as a pressure-reducing valve (PRV), is a valve that reduces water pressure as it passes into a home. When water enters a home through the main water line, its pressure is typically too high for the home's plumbing to handle.
Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80. Instead, you should aim for a psi that's between 60 and 70.
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.
Where Can I Find It? No matter what kind of water heater you have, the pressure valve will be located either on the top or side of the unit. Most likely, it will be near the electric supply or hot water output tube.
How long does a water pressure regulator last? On average, you should replace your PRV every four to five years.
Measure the height the hose was at when the water flow stopped in feet, measure in fractions of a foot for more accuracy. When you have the measurement, divide the height by 2.31. This formula will convert water feet in PSI. This will give you an approximate water pressure.
The life expectancy of your regulator is 10 to 15 years, but plumbing professionals suggest changing it once every eight years. The most common results of a bad water regulator are low or high water pressure. Running a pressure test can determine if your water pressure is too high or low.
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.
While pressure-reducing valves reduce or limit incoming pressures, pressure regulators maintain constant outlet pressures regardless of upstream or downstream fluctuations.
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.
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.
Residential water pressure tends to range between 45 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). Anything below 40 psi is considered low and anything below 30 psi is considered too low; the minimum pressure required by most codes is 20 psi. Pressures above 80 psi are too high.
Most residential plumbing systems are designed to handle 40 to 60 PSI of pressure, with 80 PSI being the typical maximum and anything over 100 PSI being possibly detrimental to plumbing components.
High water pressure puts excess strain on your plumbing system, including your pipes, seals and appliances that use water. As high volumes of water are forced through, the parts that make up your plumbing system are stressed by the pressure which can lead to a variety of problems.
Adjust the Pressure-Reducing Valve
Protruding from the top of the valve is a threaded bolt. To raise pressure, loosen the bolt's locking nut, then turn the bolt clockwise. Use the pressure gauge to determine when you reach a water pressure around 50 PSI. Then, tighten the locknut to secure the valve.
On top of the regulator should be an adjustment screw and a lock nut. The adjustment screw raises and lowers the water pressure, but before it can be adjusted, you need to loosen the lock nut below it. Loosen the lock nut by half a turn with the crescent wrench.
What is good water pressure for a house? Normal water pressure is generally between 40 and 60 PSI but most homeowners prefer to have it set somewhere in the middle around 50 PSI. Once you measure your home's water pressure, you can adjust it to a setting that is ideal for all family members and household uses.