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Water Pressure Regulating Valves

Water pressure regulating valves are a valuable home investment. An apple a day may keep the doctor away. But a water pressure regulating valve keeps the plumber away. Excessive water pressure is damaging to your plumbing pipes, plumbing fixtures, and your plumbing appliances. This is why plumbing codes insist that excessive water pressure be reduced. An analogy I often use with my plumbing customers is the difference between diving off a diving board into a pool and diving off a bridge into a lake. When you turn the water off to a plumbing fixture or plumbing appliance it can be damaging. Excessive water pressure is also very wasteful. If excessive water pressure is damaging your home plumbing call Advocate Master Plumbing. A water pressure regulating valve installation saves our customers money every day.

Water pressure regulating valve or water pressure reducing valve

The plumbing industry has many different names for plumbing parts and tools. I’ve always preferred the term water pressure regulating valve to water pressure reducing valve. Water pressure reducing valve seems to imply low water flow. Your excessive water pressure is being reduced. But water pressure regulating valves are adjustable. And when set correctly you should not see any significant drop in water flow after a water pressure regulating valve installation.

 

Do I need a water pressure regulating valve

Excessive water pressure in your home plumbing system shows itself in many different ways. Most municipal codes administrations consider excessive water pressure to be a static water pressure in excess of 80 pounds per square inch. At Advocate Master Plumbing we’re happy to test your home for excessive water pressure at no additional cost with every paid plumbing service call. And a water pressure test is done in three different ways: static water pressure test, water flow restriction test, and thermal expansion test.

Do I have excessive water pressure?

Not everybody has excessive water pressure. The signs of excessive water pressure can be subtle. Multiple leaking faucets can be a sign that of excessive water pressure. Noise in your water pipes can be a sign that you need a water pressure regulating valve. And a leaking water heater relief valve, as well. So before getting a water pressure regulating valve installation you have to ask yourself a few questions.

What is causing my leaky faucets?

A sure sign of excessive water pressure is leaking faucets. Plumbing fixtures and appliances have to hold back your water when not in use. And shutting off the water when you have excessive water pressure is damaging to them as well. A water pressure regulating valve installation could be necessary to prevent premature failure of your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Why do I  have noisy water pipes?

Noisy water pipes are a sure sign you need a water pressure regulating valve installation. Excessive water pressure increases the water velocity in your water pipes. Directional changes in your water pipe system can create even more noise when coupled with excessive water pressure. Your water pipes are usually attached to or are inside of your floor joists. These hollow spaces amplify sound like a drum. And banging water pipes are a symptom of water hammer. This is your water being stopped very quickly and ramming into the sides of your water pipes. Let Advocate Master Plumbing fix your noisy water pipes. We’ll install a new water pressure reducing valve that will last for many years.

Why are my water pipes banging?

Banging water pipes or fluttering water pipes can be a sign that you need a water pressure reducing valve replacement. A damaged water pressure regulating valve can create many scary noises and water pressure changes. Rubber seals inside the valve can tear. When water flows by these tears the damaged rubber seals will flap like a humming-bird wing creating noise.

What caused my low water pressure?

Low water pressure or low water flow can mean you need a water pressure regulating valve replacement. As mentioned before, water pressure regulating valves are tested for three different plumbing problems. A static water pressure test is done to determine the proper setting and possible damage of your water pressure reducing valve. Water flow through the water pressure regulating valve is checked for damage and clogged screens. A thermal expansion test is done to check that the water pressure regulating valve bypass is working correctly. If any of these fail you probably need a water pressure reducing valve replacement.

Why is my water heater dripping?

A dripping water heater doesn’t always mean you need a water heater replacement. It can mean that the water heater relief valve is just relieving excessive water pressure. Water heaters are plumbing appliances that are sensitive to excessive water pressure. This excessive water pressure can mean you need a water pressure regulating valve installation or replacement, a thermal expansion tank installation or replacement or a water heater relief valve replacement. Let the experts at Advocate Master Plumbing determine

Let us help

At Advocate Master Plumbing we specialize in plumbing diagnostics and repair. Water pressure regulating valves are an important and valuable addition to your home plumbing system. Water pressure reducing valve code requirements are very necessary. We understand the difference between knowing how to do something and knowing why it’s done that way. You need to understand all the variables before making important home repair decisions. This information only comes from a trained and seasoned professional. Let our master plumbers diagnose your excessive water pressure issues and determine if you need a water pressure regulating valve installation or replacement.