So often life’s problems are caused by what we can’t see.
From clogged arteries to a tire nail, whether we see them or not, eventually they could cause severe damage. However, if we discover them in time, they can be resolved with medication or repair and life can go on.
In my industry, it’s what you can’t see that can be so damaging. From leaks in dark corners to separations in underground pipes, these unseen hazards can remain undiscovered for years until the water heater explodes or the basement drains spout waste.
One of the reasons I write this blog is to fly a red flag (it has a wrench and a plunger on it) to warn you about potential hazards so you can do something about it. Yes, we plumbers want your business but we (the ethical ones) also want to save you money.
Today I’m planting that “red flag” next to your pressure-reducing valve. It’s usually located near your main water shut-off.
The pressure-reducing valve has two main functions:
- It reduces the water pressure from the water entering your lines from a city water service after the meter. It could be extremely high and could causing potential problems to your plumbing fixtures.
- It regulates the pressure throughout the home from 60 psi to 80 psi.
If your water-pressure valve is old or needs adjustment, you will probably see these signs:
- toilets constantly running
- shower faucet and shower head dripping
- water heater release valve dripping
- banging pipes
When this occurs, your pressure valve will need to be adjusted or replaced.
Recently, a commercial customer’s restaurant had the “mother of all restauranteur nightmares” when his patrons discovered that when they tried flushing the commodes in his establishment, they refused to flush. So, the bathrooms began to stink up with clogged commodes…well, you get the picture.
He called me at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing. I ran over, installed a new pressure-reducing valve replacing the one that was around since Ben Franklin was a baby and flushed the commodes. Problem solved and the patrons returned. Restaurant business saved.
Another customer called me about quite the opposite: Water was blasting out of her faucets like Philly’s Ladder Company 30 responding to a three-alarm fire. It was over 100 psi and splattering all over the place.
When I arrived, I found that the pressure-reducing valve was very old and no longer even functioning. I replaced it with a new pressure-reducing valve and holding her hands under the faucets was safe again.
Adjusting most pressure-reducing valves, however, is a rarity. Most are too old and no longer reducing any water pressure. You find out, unfortunately, when you, like my customer, turn on the faucet and your hands are almost blown off.
The best step to take is to call a licensed plumber to check it. We check the water pressure from your faucets and shower heads. (Sometimes heavy water pressure or dipping faucets are incorrectly diagnosed as the faucet needing a new washer.) Then, run a test on it and check the psi.
Then, based on the test, appearance or age, we can tell if it just needs adjustment or replacement. It’s really that simple.
So, just like clogged arteries or tire nails, old or maladjusted water pressure-reducing valves can be hazardous or cause more damage unless they’re caught early. When you notice the signs, call a licensed plumber with American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing at (610) 342-6852. We serve Phoenixville, Evansburg, Plymouth Valley, Ambler, Exton and the surrounding counties. Check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and take the pressure off!
