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Pressure Valves.
Every home is required by code to be equipped with a PRV,
otherwise known as a pressure regulating valve or pressure
reducing valve. This large, cone-shaped brass valve is
located on your incoming main water line, most of the
time inside the home. You may never have seen this valve
if you have a crawlspace or a finished basement, but rest
assured, it's there (or should be). The function of a
PRV is to regulate the water pressure inside your home
between 55 and 70 psi. The water pressure on your main
waterline before it reaches your home, and subsequently
your PRV, is around 130-160 psi. This is far too high
for your faucets, toilet valves, and other plumbing fixtures
to handle. This amount of pressure would damage the components
in these items, causing faulty operation and leaks. So
in order to keep the water pressure at a safe working
level, a PRV is installed to reduce and regulate the pressure
at a consistent range, extending the life of your plumbing
system. They accomplish this by using an internally mounted
spring and diaphragm assembly that controls the pressure
by channeling the water through multiple chambers. Imagine
the muffler on your car...only a little more complex.
Like any other mechanical valve, PRV's have a relatively
limited lifespan. Their total working time is dependent
on several things, including street pressure, usage, and
overall quality, but the average lifespan of one of these
valves ranges from 7-12 years, with some exceptions. PRV's
can be easily damaged, however, and often you will notice
pressure issues in your home after only a few years. Small
bits of debris can find their way into waterlines, damaging
or clogging the mechanism that controls pressure. The
internal diaphragm, being made of a softer material, can
be torn if debris enters the valve. This event will often
cause a humming or banging sound coming from your water
pipes, known as water hammer. High quality valves are
less prone, but still susceptible to these problems. Some
brands and models have a longer lifespan than others,
and we only install the highest quality, proven valves
in your home. These valves range in size from 3/4"
to 1 1/2" for residential applications, and even
larger for commercial properties. We install and service
them all. So when you notice a sudden increase or decrease
in your water pressure, strange sounds when you use faucets
or flush a toilet, or if it's simply been a while since
your last replacement, have your PRV replaced. It will
save you costly repairs elsewhere in your home and keep
your plumbing system in check.
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Great Financing Available!
Ask us about financing for your next plumbing repair, replacement, installation or renovation. We can help!
Send Us Any
Written Estimate.
We can usually match or beat any written estimate. Send an estimate from any other plumbing services company and let us see what we can do for you.
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