If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t know much about your water pressure regulator. And if you’ve never had to deal with a faulty one, you may not even know what it is. In this post, we’ll explain what a water pressure regulator is and show you how to tell if yours needs to be replaced. Keep reading to learn more!

Here in Georgia, water pressure regulators are now required by code to be installed in homes. These devices control the incoming water pressure in your home and keep it from getting too high or too low.

There are 3 reasons why you do not want your water pressure to be too high.

  • High water pressure can double your water bill.
  • It also puts an excessive amount of stress on your plumbing system which can lead to leaks.
  • It can decrease the life span of the appliances in your home that use water

Reasons why you do not want your water pressure to be too low.

  • It’s hard to feel clean after a low water pressure shower.
  • It can be a sign of a leak in your plumbing system.

What You Should Know About Water Pressure Regulators

1. Water pressure regulators are a safety feature and are required by code.

2. High water pressure can cause leaky pipes, pipes to explode, leaky fixtures and premature failure of faucets and fixtures.

3. Maximum allowable pressure is 80 PSI. Most plumbing fixtures manufacturers void there warranty when the pressure is over 80 PSI

4. High pressure can cause underground water leaks that may require leak detection or water line pipe replacement or repair. Most emergency leaks typically have high water pressure caused by failed regulators or no thermal expansion relief device.

5. Pressure regulators come in all sizes. Common preset pressure is 40-60 PSI. Common incoming pressure max is 200-300 PSI. And adjustable working range is typically 25-75 PSI. Special order regulator can be purchased with set ranges higher or lower, for situations where you may want to lower the pressure in the same line at different location in the system.

What Happens When A Pressure Regulator Valve Fails?

The problems that can occur if your water pressure regular fails include:

  • The water pressure in your home fluctuates from high to low.
  • Or, you could have no water pressure at all.
  • You may hear vibrating noises coming from your pipes.

How Do You Test A Water Pressure Regulator?

We recommend that you test your water pressure regulator several times throughout the year. It’s quite easy to do. Just follow these instructions.

  • Purchase a water pressure gauge from your local hardware store and install it onto an outside faucet of your home. Turn the water to that faucet on.
  • Typically, water pressurePSI numbers should be between 40 – 45. It should never exceed 60 PSI.
  • If the water pressure gauge reads less than 40 PSI – you should contact your water department to get some help on increasing that number.

How Long Should A Water Pressure Regulator Last?

The life expectancy of a water pressure regulator is most commonly in the range of 10 to 15 years. However, you can see a regulator malfunction at 3 years and you can see a regulator still working at 20 years old. Most manufacturers recommend swapping the valve every 5 years and most plumbing contractors would suggest you change the valve every 10 years.

If you have any questions about your water pressure regulator or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.