Water Pressure Regulator Replacement and Adjustment
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- This video shows how to replace a water pressure regulator. My water pressure would slowly decline as I used my shower. After some investigation, I found that my water pressure regulator was bad. With minimal tools, this was one of the easiest plumbing jobs I've ever done. I hope this video is helpful. Thanks for watching and sharing!
This was awesome, just saved myself a $750 quote from a plumber. Took me literally 5minutes start to finish. Excellent tutorial!
Glad it helped!
This is a really good video! Excellent up close clear view of all subject matter and you covered all aspects of how to make the replacement ( backing up the valve while unscrewing the unions, facing the valve inlet with direction of flow, bleeding air out of lines and the main one.....turn the water off first). Great job. You have the approval of a 45 year licensed master plumber ( retired).
THANKS!!!!
@@PhilCrockett Yea this really looked and felt professionally done. I'd never know you were a home gamer.
It's easy to miss when a regulator has gone bad. It's not something we often think about. I usually notice multiple toilets have a very low water flow contentiously, even when the tank has refilled. And almost always I'll first replace a filler valve because I only noticed it on one toilet. And it doesn't work, so I started leaking abundantly. You might also notice increased noise in plumbing in general, bursts of high water pressure when you first open a faucet.
A $10 investment in a water pressure gauge is well worth it. High water pressure can ruin other plumbing or connected appliances, which can get quite costly. Replacing a water pressure regulator is generally fairly easy DIY project if you have the tools and clear access. This is a great video for showing the simple steps involved. And it's insane what plumbers will charge for such a simple procedure. They must love it when they have a naive homeowner with a leak from the high line pressure and can charge several hundred dollars for a 20 minute job with a
Thanks for your great comment!
I’ve been looking for the answer to my issue all day long on CZcams. Hurray! Thank you for the clear & concise video.
Mine is outside in a garden bed under a green box in my 100 year old house.
All the parts on the regulator have rusted and corroded completely.
I love learning how to fix things in this beautiful historic San Diego house. It’s worth the headache. Lol
Glad it helped! I went to San Diego once to a conference. Stayed at the Omni Hotel near the Gas Lamp District. Really enjoyed the visit! Ate some great fish tacos at Valentines and had a wonderful meal on Coronado Island at the brewery. Such a nice place to visit.
I'm almost done with a pex home run system in my house and I was stumped when I found this. I did not know what this was when I found the main coming into my house. I thought it could've been a valve and thought that was stupid of them to do that when they built the house. The same day, youtube recommended me videos on water pressure regulators. Thanks CZcams. You learn something new everyday.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope you find my other videos just as useful!
This is an excellent video. Along with plumbing, you have a skill for making great detailed content. Thanks so much!
I appreciate that!
Have to agree. Helped a lot. Thank you
BEST video out of all that came up. Thx for posting, clear, concise directions. Great detail & video.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! This was the best "how to" video I've watched of thousands over the years, great job and thanks again!
You're welcome!
If only all videos were this complete! Great job!
Glad you like them!
Thank you for this video. I got it installed start to finish in 30 mins. 💪🏾
Excellent!
One of the follow the steps and don't rush what you are doing thank you for the how to
Glad my video was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.. Its good morals to share. Lot of people dont like to share what they know.
I learn a lot too from my subscribers! We can all learn from each other for sure!
Thank you. Had to end up doing this myself after my plumber kept doing a no show to my home. Thank you so much!!
People are getting less and less reliable for sure. I try to do everything I can on my own because of this. Also, people are becoming sloppier as well.
Thanks for the advice.I called Watts company and they suggested me an alternative which was a compatible match .I had installed and works well.thanks for the insight of your videos which helped me learning new things.tks
Thank you very, very much. I followed your directions, but I put Plummer tape as an extra precaution and habit. Your video gave me the confidence to do it, and I made it happen. No more banging pipes and my PSI is normal.
Nice! Thanks for taking The time to watch and comment, David! Hope my other videos are just as useful!
❣️ Great video! Clear instructions with easy to follow directions.
Thank you for sharing 🙏🇺🇸
You are so welcome!
Thanks for your excellent guidance, and I replaced my valve successfully.
So glad my video helped you out. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks for this video! I was having a hard time getting the nuts off of the old regulator, so checked out your video. Holding the body of the regulator with a large wrench was the answer. Everything else was easy after that. Thanks again.
so glad my video helped you out, Suzanne! Thanks for taking the time to give me positive feedback!
Great video and i like how straight to the point that you are.
Thank you! I try to make all of my videos "straight to the point". Hope my other videos help you out as well, my friend!
So when a plumber says this replacement will take 3 hours, I’m assuming I’m being taken advantage of? You sure made this look timely and easy. Thanks for your video.
depends on each situation I suppose
Hour to get there , am hour if he doesn’t have the exact same size on the truck and an hour back to his house
Lol
Pretty much unfortunately
Thankyou, you and i have the same problem, I didn't know about it for years now. My heart sinking thinking about a 300-400$ plumber bill. But i think i am going to try replacing it on my own.
do it, and let me know how it went!
Cost me $950.....:-(
Thank Phil for uploading this video. I just fixed mine by following step by step your video, saving me a lot of money. 👍
Thanks for taking the time to comment, George! It definitely feels good to save money and do things yourself!
Thank you. This helped me install a new regulator quickly and answered all my questions (teflon tape, reusing old joints).
Great! Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jonathan!
Thank you- you just saved me $700 that my plumber quoted me to replace this.
That makes my day! Hope my other videos help you out as well! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Excellent tutorial. I'm going to attempt this today.
My water pressure (in the whole house) has been dropping over the last few days. Can this also be a symptom of a bad regulator?
Your video gave me hope that I can do it myself. 👊 Thank you.
Thank you for this. I really like the suggestion of getting the same dimension/identical pressure regulator as a replacement so I don't need to solder or clamp any fittings. I think I can do this now (just hope the existing 30+ year-old nuts are not too far gone or rusted)!
Let me know how it turns out, my friend!
@@PhilCrockett Went on without a hitch and no leaks. Works great. Default/stock pressure was like 50 PSI and I upped to around 60 or so, I believe. Thanks!
Thanks for the video. I checked with a local plumber to replace my regulator valve and was quoted between $275 to $395 depending on location, pipes, etc. GOOD GRIEF !! Think I'll try it myself. My plumbing projects in the past usually take much longer than expected and quite a few trips to Home Depot or plumbing supply. Fingers crossed.
You can do this! It's as easy as turning a wrench. Let me know how it turns out.
I just paid $505. It took him less than an hour and the regulator looks cheap. I asked him for an itemized receipt and he said its a flat rate. I feel like I got taken. The price you pay for being a nice female I guess.
@@Elaine-br4lw I was just quoted $703…after watching this I’m pissed because it looks so simple to do….
I take pictures off all components in the original install.
Some of the valves are over $500. Most are in the $250 range. So not to bad. But if Al they did was rebuild yours then it will be needing to be done again. The one at a commercial building I am doing the valve is $469 and labor is $100. It was rebuilt 1/2020 days on the side. So not very long.
Just got mine replaced, no problems. Thanks for the video Sir
You're welcome!
Great explanation!
Glad it was helpful!
nice vid and simple DY install. the only vid i found on youtube with my actual set up with the main valve in the house and not on the street so thanks on my way to home depot to get rip off for the regulator .
Glad u liked my video. Yes....these things are not cheap. The one in my video replaces a regulator that was installed in my ‘new’ 3 year old house. I hope this one lasts longer.
Thanks so much saved me a ton of money. Unfortunately my new one only came with one O ring (what gives there) so I had to reuse the other ones.
So glad my video helped you out, Matt! Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. Some of these comments passed me by
Thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge. This is a great video. I have the same bad pressure regulator, but could not get the equivalent part from Watts. They just offer a smaller device that requires pipe work for installation. May I know which equivalent part can be used as a replacement without the need of pipe work as shown in this video?
I'm not sure how to answer this, because everyone's situation is so different. I would hate to steer you wrong, my friend. I will only give you the advice of this: visit a plumbing store, and pick the brains of those behind the counter. This has helped me out many times over the years when I hit a brick wall
Thank you so much for this patient, clear, detailed video! Is it possible that a 19yr old PRV can just be cleaned rather than replaced if water pressure has gone down significantly inside? Also, a plumber wants to charge me $650 to replace! Thanks again!
Never heard of cleaning them. I would just replace it with one that fits into the same exact hook up. I was disappointed in the one I replaced. it was only 3 years old (new house). I went back to the plumbing supply store, and they told me that the company had problems with it, and sold me a slightly different design of the same brand (the new one in the video). I would buy the most recently produced product if I were you. Hope this helps.
@@PhilCrockett yes, this helps greatly!! Thank you for your very fast reply, and thorough! It’s been a challenge figuring out why my amazing pressure has gone MIA so I’m thankful to have hopefully found the solution! Thank you again and I’ll be following you from now on! Blessings!
So glad I could help you out, Debbie. I sure hope my other videos are just as useful to you. Thanks for following my channel. God bless you as well!
Thank you very much sir.. I’m gonna try to find a new valve and replace mine.
Glad to help, Robert. Let me know how it went.
Thank you. Saved me a couple hundred bucks.
NICE!!! Thanks for watching and commenting, Michael!!! Hope you like my other videos.
Great video!
Thanks!
Great video.. simple and to the point.. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Do you put any kind of lubrication on the O-rings?
nope
Nice video, just remember the shut off valve should always be before the regulator.
Good tip!
Thank you so much for this awesome video
You are so welcome!
This is very good info where do they sell the water pressure gauge at
I bought the gauge at one of the big-box home improvement stores. maybe $10. Mine came from Lowes.
lowes sells the water oressure test gauge
Great instructions! Very detailed info!
can any brass prv be use on a pvc pipe? I have never use a prv brass valve on pvc pipe I was just wandering! Thank you 🙏
I'd ask a clerk at a plumbing supply store.
Great video sir! I got a strange mystery if you don’t mind.
I rebuilt my water heater, elements, thermostats, and thermal expansion tank.
Everything installed like a dream, and correctly down to the letter. Except now, it’s like there’s a pressure build up. When I turn on the faucet, bathtub, shower, there is like this quick blast of pressure for a split second, then normal.
Why is that happening? I matched the 80 PSI of my water pressure to the thermal expansion tank.
Geewhiz, I have no idea! That really is a mystery to me
Nice tutorial! Can you tell me whether this regulator is silent or clicking while working? Tank you
I don't hear any clicking noises from mine
Curious why you went directly to replacement without adjusting the old regulator first. Thank you
months of adjusting failed. So... I figured it was a bad unit. This video shows how to replace it.
Omg this was a life saver
My PRV has a *very slight* leak. I mean it leaks like, maybe 1 or 2 drops every few minutes. The source of the leak is the pressure adjustment screw at the top of the valve. Do I just need to tighten it, or is there a gasket inside the body for the adjustment screw and nut?
wow....never come across that. Wondering if you could put a little teflon tape on it. hmmmm.... maybe someone else could comment on this....
Ryan Shannon - I am having the “exact” same problem you described. How did you fix it sir?
Mine was leaking. I took off the end with a big pipe wrench (turn the water off first), back off the adjusting screw all the way out to take pressure off the internal spring then remove the side housing with the pipe wrench. Take apart the pieces and clean the metal washer and seating area with a wire brush. Put it back together and readjust your pressure. The readjusting will reset the internal valve stopping the leak which is really, internal. Nothing should be coming out the adjustment screw as the screw is not where the seal is. It's internal.
Nice 👍
thanks
Great tutorial! Just wondering what prv replacement valve model did you purchase?
I can't quite remember but I think it was a Watson maybe
Good trick on pressure gauge to h2o faucet.
Ya! Thanks for the positive feedback, Edie!
Well done! Thanks 🙏
You're welcome!
What led you to know to replace it besides the pressure been to high?
Does high pressure on the gauge make water out your lines come out with high pressure or low pressure?
My house seems to work only with one line. Plbut if I’m washing dishes and washing my hands in the bathroom the pressure seems to go away. My lines copper lines are not that old.
pressure would come and go..... it wasn't consistant.
Great video! Saved me $500
Thanks!!! Glad to help!
Thank you for this video. I just found out today that my water pressure is very high and need to change my regulator... is it advisable to drain a lot of the water from the whole system before opening it or can I just close the valve between my softener and heater and drain that pipe to accomplish this task? thanks in advance.
It's sooooo easy to turn the water off at the main valve. I always do this. It's over-kill, but guaranteed to keep you dry. Thanks for the question, Cyril!
Clear concise video A big help TY
Glad you liked my video! Thanks for watching and commenting!
awesome!!!! thank you for sharing! i just followed your procedure and walah!!!!.
That's great, Jimmy! Thanks for watching and commenting....and especially subbing!!!!
About how long will it take to drain all the water from my houses system? Quite a while I imagine? All water both hot and cold has to be emptied? I have heard emptying the hot water heater tank fully can potentially cause problems, am I misinformed? Should the water heater be turned off while I do the install?
You don't need to drain the water heater, .....just the pipes.
Nice tutorial
Thanks!
What do you think is wrong if I adjusted my water pressure valve and when I loosen or tighten it the water pressure according to the test gage doesn't do anything?
It depends on if the site that you are using to test the pressure is before or after the pressure valve
Thanks for the great video!
I have a new PRV installed but when no water is being used in the house, at times, water drips from the top where the adjusting screw/jam nut is.
Does this mean it’s a bad PRV? Looking at the cross section of the PRV, it seems no water should reach the top part given the diaphragm should act as a separation barrier.
Thanks!
without seeing it, it sounds like you need to tape it and tighten it. But it's hard to diagnose without seeing it.
Very good video. Thank you.
Glad my video helped you out, Fass! Thanks for the nice comment!
hi..I have the same model valve from watts however they have discontinued this product .what alternate model can i use its 3/4 inch.tks
Honestly..... these models change over the years. The best advice I can give you is to go to a plumbing store and get a recommendation on the latest model using your measurements. I was trying to find the exact same regulator that I took out and the clerk told me it had been discontinued. I have no problem, asking the clerk for advice. Then know the products better than I. hope that helps. BTW.....THANKS FOR SUBBING!
I have replaced with similar to old one but there is no water in mains
Good video...thank you.
Thank you too, for taking the time to comment!
Thanks for the video👍👍🍺🍺
You bet
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
I just installed a brand new regulator. I first installed it without pipe dope. Then I looked up whether to use pipe dope and it said that I should. I reinstalled with pipe dope. It is leaking at both connections. What gives why are you not using pipe dope? It is metal to metal connection. I know not to use pipe dope on copper.
Question if I may… can you use a prv on a 40 scheduled pvc? Appreciate any input! I’m in Las Vegas and from the street supply line there is pvc scheduled 40 no prv valve. Thank you?
I don't know. Never been in that situation.
We have a home warranty that is covering the valve, but the plumbing company is charging us an additional fee for a water line modification that they say is needed to put new valve on. Does that make sense?
it does make sense. Not all connections are standard. I always try to buy the newer version of the same product no matter what it is. Usually, the fit will be the same as the old one....however, that's not always the case.
Example: My brother-in-law called me for advice on installing a new garage door opener. I told him to buy the exact same brand and then he wouldn't have to worry about changing everything out except for the motor itself. It worked like a charm and he didn't have to go to all the trouble of the rest of the parts. hope this makes sense. Thanks for the question, Liz!
Thank you so much for your quick reply!
Glad to help!
most excellent, thank you!
You're very welcome!
Great video, however the pressure regulator should be installed between the water and the outside of the house...NOT permitting the 120 psi pressure to be INSIDE the property whereby the connection to the pressure valve could rupture - causing a fatal leak (flood) inside the home. Additionally, the water pressure above 40 psi will damage all O-rings & gaskets in the faucets, fixtures, shower heads and washing machine. It should be adjusted to at 40 psi maximum to avoid surprise leaks when the homeowner is either IN or OUT of the house. You can also purchase the pressure regulating valve with a lower setting (not to have have to adjust it quite so much). For example: 20-40 psi or 20-60 psi. They're also less expensive.
lol..... ok..... lol.
I guess the building code for my house allowed for the PRV to be installed inside the house, because that's how it is on my 2008 build home. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to have a PRV installed on the exterior of my home from the city water supply if everything is run underground.
@@ryanshannon7703 Mine is installed in my 2012 built house. I think installing the PRV outside is the old way of doing things.
Can I convert an existing sweat valve to compression valve or push in valve? Thanks
Not sure what you mean by converting. The connections are either one or the other from the factory
What type of connection is that crimped onto the pex? Is that a flare connection that is required with this type of regulator?
pex crimp rings I believe.
I have a question. How do you know your regulator broken or doesn't work?
I did adjust my regulator but its seems doesn't effect.
Please let me know. Thank you.
if the pressure gauge shows full pressure, then it's not doing it's job
@@PhilCrockett ok, got it sir. Thanks
Man I owe you a beer. Followed your instructions and installed it with no problem. Saved me money and no more wife nagging (at least not about that :) lol
Sounds good, Trey! Glad I could help a brother out!
I'm doing a new install. How much pipe should I cut exactly? Is there a margin for error when cutting. I fear I'll cut too much and bring on a huge chunk of additional work to undo the damage.
situational dependent. are there any play in the pipes if you cut them?
Is there a rule thumb for how much adjustment should change pressure? (For example 1 turn would change 10 psi)
not sure. I imagine, it's location dependent.
Mine has been baffingly built into the wall with only the set nut on top of the regulator sticking out. SMH!! I'll start with getting a pressure gauge before I start messing with my pressure (that's too low for my preference). Is there such a thing as going too high or will the regulator itself keep me from damaging anything with "too much pressure"? Thanks!
regulate to suite your needs
@@PhilCrockett Can I mess up my plumbing by overdoing it is perhaps a more clear way to ask or will the regulator save me from myself by not allowing it to go too high? :)
It's hard to give advice without being there and assessing your particular situation. If I were you, I'd go to a plumbing store (not a big box store, but a REAL plumbing supply store), and have a detailed conversation with one of there pros on staff. Take pictures of your setup to bring with you.
Mine is halfway into dry wall as well. I'll have to cut a section of the wall out to access the whole thing. What a pain. I'm betting it's copper pipe as sweated on as well so not as quick as this video unfortunately . Also my globe shut off valve is bad to so i have to replace it which is next to the PRV. Have to shut the water off at the main near the street i guess.
My house is 6 years old, and I am being told I need to may $350 for a new regulator. Is this common? Seems pretty simple to install.
My regulator didn't even last 6 years. Probably a bad product. $350 is insane.
What's the name of that PEX adapter that's clamped on? I'm want to do the same exact set up
just a pex compression ring.
Does the regulator act as a shut off valve as well? My water heater is leaking. I want to drain it but not shut off the house if possible
no. It just slows the flow.
My house has the regulator before the valve how would I remove in that case?
Sounds like your water would need to be turned off at the meter
ok do the same video with female ends on the water reducer, with copper pipes
You might want to look up my videos on how to sweat pipe. Hopefully it will help.
Wait where do you find it first of all? It does not show
Every house is different
I was curious what would happen if a pressure regulator was installed backwards?
beats me. I wouldn't know. hope I never find out.
Mine seeps when I first turn the water on then stops after some time not sure why
I’m not sure either. That’s weird
Hi Phil. Great video. Wanted to ask what you charge for replacing PRVs? I’m trying to price jobs accordingly to be fair with my customers and myself. Thanks buddy
I'm not in the plumbing business. I just fix my own stuff (and friends' stuff). Had years of experience with plumbing and a ton of other construction jobs, but couldn't tell ya what the bosses charged. sorry I can't help ya there. Maybe someone else could chime in on your question.
Christopher Morice k
CPI in Washington State charged me $950.
What I cannot find on CZcams is any instruction for cleaning or maintaining a PRV. I only find instruction for replacing them.
I've only replaced them. Maybe someone else here can help.....
@@PhilCrockett I ended up replacing mine. But now, the new one makes a humming sound.
strange. Maybe fiddle with the pressure screw. I swear these things need a new design.
@@PhilCrockett I resolved the humming. I opened all faucets, to remove any air in the pipes. I also moved the PRV diaphragm through its full range of motion, by turn the screw all the way out, before resetting it to 50 PSI. I love that new PRV. Now, water pressure stays at 50 PSI, perfectly, with a new PRV and with a Thermal Expansion Tank. Wish that I had done t his, years ago. My water pressure had been spiking to over 100 PSI. But I never realized that water pressure is something that must be monitored, until I researched the topic.
I tried it all the way clock wise and all the way counterclock wise. all same reading at 140 psi!.
sounds like it's broke
@@PhilCrockett How long do you have to replace the water pressure regulator? mine is about 40 years. last ten years it's only leaking very small amount of water. we throw a thick blanket to absorb the water. : ) now it's much worse. the plumber came and estimate $1200 to $1500 to replace it. (very hard to reach place). don't have that much money. so I bought a $30 torch kit from home depot. and some solders. but it's hard to unsoder the old rusty regulator. and everytime I shut off the water main have to pay the city $60 dollars.
can't really estimate how long things last. My original regulator lasted just a few years. Products are getting cheaper and junkier by the minute! It's SICK! but at least we can save on labor if we know how to install......
Thank you for the video, after tons of solder and desolder , the regulator now run smoothly at 50 psi. And water flow are twice as big! when wash the car the hose end no longer burst every time I step on it. And no more leaks! Now the wet blanket is replaced with proper insulator. : )
Excellent! Glad you got it figured out. Thanks for watching and commenting. hope my other videos are just as useful to you.
@philcrockett do you kick breaker on hot water tank while installation
all I do, is just turn the water off and drain the pipes. No need to turn the water heater off.
should I turn the water heater pilot off. the water will be very hot if I don't right?
Nope. You turn the main valve off to the whole house. This is a cold water line that comes from the outside.
Phil Crockett thank you very much gonna try to install tomorrow
Great! Let me know how it went!
Phil Crockett it was awesome! You're on point with your videos.Thanks!you saved me a lot of money approximately $350
Fantastic! That's a lot of savings! You're words may encourage others to tackle this job. Thanks again for the great feedback!
Does the water regulator need to be installed in a certain orientation?
Yes. the arrow shows the flow.
Yes I see that. What I mean by orientation is can it be installed vertical or can it also be installed horizontal?
You can install it in any position.
Thank you
Is it ok if my valve only came with one o ring ? And the last one I took off has a different design
hmmmm...... same brand as mine?
Yes but I realized I bought a different style one and installed an exact one so I’ll see how that one works
Thanks for responding quick 👍
what is the expected lifespan of these? thanks!
too many variables to figure in on that (pressure, water hardness...etc.). However, they should last a lot longer than the 2 year old unit that I replaced. Apparently, it was a lemon, and the factory came out with a new design.... which is the one I'm installing in this video.
@@PhilCrockett thanks!
You're welcome!
Where can I find it in what part of the house
basement or hvac room, or water heater closet..... however, Ive see it just about anywhere.
Should my valve moves little after tightening it ?
nope
Yes it keeps leaking after I tightened them but when I wiggle it it wiggles I tried with and without the rings Watts brand
120 PSI won’t hurt anything so why not just leave it
because
nice
thanks!
No ones house look like that underneath.
This is in my basement.
Or it could be an expansion tank gone bad
thanks for the tip, Paul!
70 psi
71.1 psi