How to Install a Water Pressure Reducing Valve | This Old House
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- Опубликовано: 10 окт 2014
- Taming extremely high water pressure with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Shopping List for Installing a Water Pressure Reducing Valve:
- pressure-reducing valve
- two pressure gauges
- assorted threaded copper and brass fittings and pipe
- teflon tape
- lead-free solder and flux
Tools for Installing a Water Pressure Reducing Valve
- pressure gauge
- pliers
- pipe wrench
- tubing cutter
- propane torch
- open-end wrench
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How to Install a Water Pressure Reducing Valve | This Old House
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That homeowner has top-notch acting skills!
My water pressure measures 180lbs. Because the max each valve can reduce is up to 75 lbs, I had to install 2 reducing valves in line with one one another to step it down 60-70lbs each. I installed three pressure guages, one before both valves, in between and after both valves. Worked great. I was concerned about the longevity of the guages if left under constant pressure so i installed cut offs with pressure release knobs before each guage. All my plumbing is in a narrow crawl space and I only wanted to do this once. I check it two times a year with a guage on an outside hose. Ten years and still doing great.
It would be great to have a video/photo of that. Great job!
I can't believe this video was all about water pressure and Richard didn't even once use the phrase "full city water pressure"!
its the classic Ask This Old House viewers lament
Lmfao
City stream 💦
I swear these guys have it easy. All that space in between to put that prv.
I have a furnace with a second prv to reduce pressure to 12-15 lbs psi. The prv and a blackflow preventer are stuffed into a 12 inch section that is full of solder joints and screw fittings. Nothing like the easy thing that guy does with cutting the pipe.
Aaaaw. I wanted to see the faucet working properly after the valve was installed.
they didnt show that part cause the faucet exploded after they installed it.
CasperthefriendlyGhost PeakAboo LOL. Normally would just like that comment.
It still spewed water...cause the aerator simply needed to be tightened.
Why is this house pipes all nice and accessible? Am I only one with house where pipes simply disappear into the wall?
Agree...and who's plumbing pipes are located six inches off the wall to allow a large cutter to rotate freely? Folly I say!
@@jeffw8057 … perhaps someone who just removed a well tank and the pipe would have been close to the center of the tank? That would explain why he never complained about water hammer till now!
Paradoxical Nightmare what’s a v joint ??
its ok this time the poor man does nt even have a proper basement or foundation wall
Nope you are not the only one ,this set up is dream for plumbers , so easy and accessible , you almost never run it to something like this.
Love the pressure gauges on bothsides..great idea.
Ya, I wish there was a list of parts that they used.
I'd rather keep the mechanical design simpler and just read the pressure by screwing in the pressure gauge once in a while.
If you do install a pressure regulator, make sure you have a thermal expansion tank to keep the pressure reasonable when the water heater recovers otherwise your pressure will go right back to street level until the next time a faucet is opened. I ran into this problem in a condo I owned in Southern California.
I was wondering if anyone else ran into that problem.
Relief valve on water heater kept dripping at night.
Yeah luckily my prv had a bypass but yes the pressure gets high again
Richard installed that plumbing before they shot the clip: 1:25 I like how they covered it in dirt to conceal it.
I agree.
CV I’ve just seen that now 😂
Oh look we have an area to test the pressure! How lucky!
He's a clown
You even have to old water shut-off he removed on the washing machine!
"We do have a lot of banging in here" *giggity*
Sorry I missed that so I went back and he said he got a good thumb throughout the whole house and the garden hose just explodes without warning
While installing a pressure reducing valve it’s always a good idea to scratch up the top of your washing machine while slamming down material
Good ol' Rich. This old house has a great selection of experts. I've learned tons.
This explains so much! Thank you! Buying one tomorrow
This guy got his plumbing upgraded big time. Saved video because I want to do the same with my piping. Having gauges makes everything easier to troubleshoot!
always learning. great job richard
Amazing, such clean, organized and professional work! I just loved watching it!
I wish I lived in a house with a basement so that 90% of the stuff they show would be relevant.
What a pro Richard is.
In 1967 the landlord of our apartment building (At least 12 units) had to install a pump on the main water line inlet because 3rd floor taps would go dry and/or dribble in late July. You knew when the pump was running because the water would come out in surges at times. I think the 30 year old building steel water lines were constricted to some extent.
Who tapes and threads together, then solder?
ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਵਰਨਣ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਧੰਨਵਾਦ l
I Like the idea of two water pressure gauges. At least I know I did a good job. Thanks.
Nice work. Great video . Thank you gentlemen
Thanks for another informative vid! Makes it look so easy I could aaallllmost see myself doing it. Almost.
nice video , Thank you for sharing !!
I did it right. I should have seen this a couple of months ago. All is good thanks.
@Hello George how are you doing
Some places your lucky to get the 50 psi let alone 100 psi.
Like most places with their own wells pressure tanks...
City water has what u need and then some..
@@borys444 What about all those cities in Michigan with lead pipes who can't use their city water?
Rich Ts explainations and work are always tip shelf.
We have a TOH drinking game. Every time Rich replies "good" it's time to chug an ice cold piwo. Cheers in advance man.
The bad acting is hilarious with the homeowner lol😂 they think there going to be a big star in Hollywood. 😂
wow...that's great!!
This is a great video - I’m going to install the gauges like that from now on
Good video. Very informative.
Nice Job!!!
Great video
Is sodring with teflon tape on the connection ok? I saw the connection with teflon tape is very close to the sodring sites.
My house is 60 psi - 70 psi on average. Would you suggest installing a sharkbite prv? Or hire a plumber.
Great, informative vlog. I appreciate the knowledge you impart particularly the cutting and soldering of the copper pipe. Thank you!
This isn't a vlog.
@@MAGAMAN whatever!
The water pressure in my house is fine yet here I am. Watching. Just incase the water pressure in my house changes out of nowhere.
The house I live in has the water pressure at 90psi and it's been that way for 30 years no ill effects on anything.
Would u recommend that on a community well the pressure pump and motor arent submerged they're in the basement
lovely video....
Um, is it wise to solder those two copper fittings with the tefloned red brass pipes attached? Won't the heat from the solder torch degrade the Teflon tape? Newbie question. Thx
Watching TOH for years, I have never seen Richard ream the inside of any pipe. Why is this???
Thank you for another excellent video!
He installed gauges for horizontal pipe, which reads sideways. You can also get gauges for vertical pipe which show the readings upright instead of sideways... not a big deal, just easier to read.
I love the attention for perfection! I concur 100%! 🙂
Bang bang bang 🧨
i have installed a new pressure regulator valve and adjusted it about one half way with the screw on top, but i still have very little pressure. when i turn the water on i have good pressure but it goes way lower in a minute.
Did you replace the O-rings after soldiering the joint???
Should always put valves in for gauges and leave them shut unless reading the gauge, asking for a problem when the gauge gives and nobody's home.
My Space
1 second ago
Wow! who could foresee, having a pressure gauge in your pocket will come in handy
Always had one in my truck.
Later that night they went and set the pressure back to 100 😂
This happened in our house and there was a pressure reducing valve installed but it turned out the valve was not set correctly and thanks to this video I was able to do that correctly. A word of wise though, the pressure will still shoot up if you do not have an expansion tank installed in the system but that will be done once our new water heater gets installed.
It's true, if you install a PRV then you absolutely need to install an expansion tank. The fact he didn't mention this and many other things he did makes him seem like a hack plumber
@@Ryan-ky3nr but it's not a hotel or multi unit building. Just 1 house.
That’s a great job. Now, can you fly to England and fit one for me please?
A question for the plumbers. My main supply is 3/4" and at some point, it's reduced to 1/2" to the rest of the house(probably typical setup my guess). Is it OK to install a PRV on the 1/2" line right after the 3/4" from the main? I'm asking because it would be an easier job than installing a PRV on the 3/4" pipe. Thanks!
If you have an expansion tank on the water heater, doesn't that impact what the gauge would read? How do you know if the high pressure is due to a failed expansion tank or a bad PRV?
He tested the pressure right after the meter…
I have a psi of 120 but double storey house. is a pressure reduction valve indicated in this scenario with a double storey?
Does it matter which direction to mount and location to install a PRV?
Water pressure in my neighborhood is 100psi. We had a reducing valve installed shortly after moving in due to numerous leaks and have been fine since. I do see a lot of plumbers trucks in my development though likely fixing leaks caused by the excessive pressure.
Where I live they wanted $1000 to install a pressure reducing valve. Instead, I just turned the main water shutoff valve down to reduce the pressure.
@@MAGAMAN I might try this. I guess if the pipe breaks between the street shut off and my PRV,. I will get screwed anyway.
@@carbonunit That reduces the flow, which can reduce pressure when the faucets are in operation, but does nothing for the pressure when all of the faucets are closed. If you're going to shut off the water at the street to install a pressure reducing valve, I'd take the time to install a main shutoff as well.
@@MAGAMAN $1k!!
So you turned the valve down what? About 25%?
lucky guy must have a water tower in his back yard, one place i lived at was 15psi and i put in a whole house booster for a well.
Mine checked out at 150psi today. I live at the base of a mountain on a community water system so they have to put it under pressure to get to the top of the mtn. I found it out today when I got a new water heater
You have to make sure the well pressure tank is present, serviceable, and actually charged...
Can I use this to increase my water pressure I have 55 psi but want more for my lawn sprinklers.
My house doesn't have this valve & my house has low pressure coming from the city will the valve increase the pressure as well
the valve reduces pressure. You may want to discuss with the city or a plumber regarding your specific issue.
Why a threaded tee why not 2 sweat sides and one threaded side for gauge just wondering. Is it just preference?
How would this affect the backyard sprinkler system? Would it also reduce the water pressure back there? Our house is on a hill and we get about 120 psi from the main, but when I reduce it to anything less than 80 psi, the backyard sprinklers won't even pop up and the pressure inside the house is still too strong. What's a good fix?
Prv after the irrigation tee
It would. And if your sprinkler was properly set up before putting something like this will totally cause havoc with underwatered spots, and may require extensive rezoning.
did utube change our names that appear with an @ ? now ,,,,,thanks very helpfull
Should I install after the water softener or the meter after the main city pipe
Install right after your main shutoff valve
No fresh Teflon tape when you reinstalled the gauge?
Ever since the city installed a new water meter, our pressure is immense for the first couple of seconds when we open a faucet...
I would put the unions on the outside of the assembly. Serviceability. Is there not a screen or strainer to prevent sediment from getting into the regulator?
No way they left all the extra fittings and gauges on after the filming was done.
I agree and I did just that. You can also buy regulators with unions on both the inlet and outlet. External unions can be a little tricky to install properly, which is one reason a lot of plumbers avoid them. Plus the customer does not want to pay extra for the parts and labor.
Hey great video. I'm trying to recreate my own just like this. I wonder what is the fitting between the pressure reducing valve and the brass tee fitting? Looks like threaded copper pipe? If so, is that for purchase somewhere or do you have to cut those threads yourself? Thanks for any guidance.
That is threaded red brass. NOT regular k,l,or m copper pipe. Frequently available in short lengths just for this sort of purpose. You may have best luck at a plumbing supply shop, or online. Good luck.
Get one that includes unions
So I finally got this together, and while challenging to install in the crawlspace it is now taking my outside pressure at 129 psi !!! to 68 psi inside. Very successful, wish I could post pictures. Thanks for this video.
Can a pressure reducing valve be used on a well system that uses a on demand style pump switch?
My well pump delivers 4.75/5 bar every time a tap is opened, I would like to reduce this to the 50lb/3 bar as recommended in this video
You need a pressure tank. It has a air bladder to maintain a specific pressure range
You need to read up on well pressure tanks. I'm surprised you're getting above 50psi from a well system, though if the pressure tank assembly has a 30/60 or 40/60 switch, I'd still leave it alone. Make sure the tank is charged and the bladder isn't broken. Almost sounds like your water heater's expansion is trapped by the well system's check valve, in which case I'd wonder if your well pump isn't running all the time, with a pressure tank with a ruptured bladder and completely filled with water...
Does the heat from the torch damage the teflon tape on threaded fitting???
Could it cause a leeak.??
The leek is a vegetable, a cultivar of Allium ampeloprasum, the broadleaf wild leek (syn. Allium porrum). Not sure how a torch is related to said vegetable. Cheers
Lol.who soldering with teflon tape on it ?))))
I was gonna say the same thing not the proper way.
Very questionable soldering practices by Ol’ Richard.
Is it essentail to install pressure guages with PRV. If YEs . So according which standard?
No, it is not required.
No, I never do. I just check my pressure twice a year at a hose sillcock twice a year. Much cheaper and the gauge lasts forever this way.
I've heard that it is important to install an expansion tank on your water heater if you have a PR Valve installed to protect against explosion if your PRV fails and your water supply 'locks'.
Installing an expansion tank is recommended but water heater doesn't explode even if the PRV fails since all water heater has a T&P valve.
There will be no explosion on a properly installed system. You may see your pressure relief valve cut lose on your water heater if you install a PRV without an internal bypass, such as a U5b built by Watts. If you use their 25AUB however, it has an internal bypass negating the need for an expansion tank.
Myth busters RUclips
Check with your local municipality as to what is code in your area. Most require it from what I have seen.
lol the solder drips
see that old gate valve on the top of the washer @ 1:50 that must have been there before TOH installed a ball valve without telling us.
Are the gauges considered standard install when having a water pressure regulator installed for my home?
you want to at least have one right after the valve...
No, they are not. You can accomplish the same thing with a handheld valve on a sillcock or laundry sink.
By me installing one of those in my house. Will that make my water bill lower ? 🤔
Yes, at a lower pressure your flow of water through your consumption points will be less. Not sure how much the overall savings will be.
Hmmmm, I have a question. So I got a new apartment and the kitchen tap had a leak. So a replaced the tap + tubes. However 3 days later 1 of the tubes basically exploded from the water pressure. Since I have little technical background I don't really know what to do with this. I'm in a big apartment block and have 4 water valves in the apartment. 2 in the bathroom and 2 in the kitchen.
The 2 in the kitchen or on the main pipes towards my sink. And I was wondering if I turn these valves only open by a inch instead of completely will this take pressure of the flexible tubing ? As these are behind the valves.
Thank you
Jordy Rosson nope, opening the valve only partial will likely cause the water to hammer.
You 'got a new apartment?' You're renting an apartment? Don't do work on other people's stuff, for a few reasons. You don't know what you're doing, you aren't licensed or insured, the owner/manager/etc should be getting this work done (and paying for it). You're just supposed to live there, keep it clean, change lightbulbs, and maybe paint the walls.
i live in a small city and city's psi is 80. i think it is still kind of high compared to this Gentleman over 100psi. anyhow great video
Adding water filters would also reduce the pressure alot and have the added benefit of filtering the water
Adding random water filters is prone to causing bacteria in your plumbing, especially when the filters get forgotten about.
Would this fix what I believe to be my City's water pressure fluctuating? My suspended pipes under my house go to dancing for several minutes, several times throughout the day and middle of the night. Occasionally, the dancing goes for hours; but if I go shut off the water from the City, it stops instantly.
It would reduce it, but you should FIRST address the fact that if your pipes are dancing, they are NOT properly secured to the structure!! I would recommend you address that before the pipes are fatigued to the point where the connections leak or the pipes themselves develop cracks.
repair tech that worked on our gas furnace that has low water pressure told us that the screen you see in the value at 2:17 can get clogged up and cause pressure reduction and low flow issues .
I think the screen itself is there to prevent debris from getting jammed in the valve part of the prv valve. If it gets jammed open, the prv valve won't be able to regulate the pressure and the pressure would go too high.
I suppose too low of a pressure is better than too high.
If someone could answer this: If my pressure valve has the pressure set to 50 or 60 for the house. If someone flushes a toilet while another is taking a shower should that valve open up all the way to allow the more of 110 inlet pressure in to try to bring the house pressure back to 50? If so the person in the shower should not notice a toilet was flushed. Or is my pressure regulator bad. How can you tell if you pressure regulator is working properly. Is mine working properly, I actually have mine at 65 an it holds steady on the gauge when no one is using the water. However when some uses the water the pressure drops to 20. Is this normal or should the pressure valve open to try to bring the house back to 50? I hope I explained that properly.
hook up a pressure gauge to your outside faucet ..turn it on ..see what you have for pressure. then turn on 2 more faucets.. it should not drop more than 10-20 psi. if it drops below half you have a bad reducer or sometimes the water meter can be blocked..i have seen that in apartment buildings i have worked at.
You either have a restriction somewhere or the PRV screen is clogged, causing a restriction at that point. Watch the part where he's playing with the cut-away unit and you can see the screen. The PRV itself will keep the pressure fairly constant (within say 10 psi) as long as the flow is not blocked otherwise.
In older homes it is common problem that the trunk line isn't sized properly or that the toilet and shower is on the same cold line and the pipe diameter is not large. .. so if you flush a toilet and the cold water pressure drops in the shower, then this is likely the problem. This is very common and only way to fix is to run some new lines. In newer homes they typically put in large trunk lines to a manifold and then smaller lines go out to each fixture. The PRV or outside valve wouldn't affect this much if it is the problem.
Could be the main line is not large enough or could also be that both the shower and the toilet are on the same 1/2" branch in the same bathroom, which means the cold water drops off and the person in the shower get's a blast of hot water, which is common in older homes no matter what you do, short of replacing the shower valve with one that balances the pressure change for that situation. The only way to check the PRV is to monitor with gauges like in the video. If the house side drops more than a few pounds then likely the PRV or the internal screen in the PRV needs attention. Cleaning the screen is common so look to see if it has one like they show in the video. (the other big nut on the bottom) All you should need is a small brush and a bucket of water, then reassemble things.
as long as you do not install any lines larger than what enters you meter you will be fine...you will lose pressure if you do that.
Sir can you pls tell the difference between water pressure and water flow
Pressure = resistance to flow. Try exhaling as hard as you can but keep your nose plugged and mouth shut. That's pressure. Now just blow air out of your mouth. That's flow.
Richard why didn't you remove the Teflon tape from thread to solder fiting while soldering because of heat Teflon tape could melt and cause a leak
Phenomenal acting
Why didn't you show putting the O rings back in?
4:59 "And dat comes from da city, right?"
How does the pressure valve readings behave if the incoming water line has reduced volume to due mineral deposits and thus reduced flow?
well the PRV is self adjusting, so if the city side drops to say 40, the PRV would simply go full open and allow 40. IF the city drops from 120 to 80. The PRV would still give you only 50.
Pressure is pressure and volume is volume. 2 different things.
what kind of foundation is that ?
Appears to be dirt. Guessing an old house. The sheet is probably either some sort of vapor barrier, or a radon mitigation system 'tarp.'
People should realize that the city has no responsibility to regulate your water pressure. They will use whatever water pressure is required to get water to their customers and it can vary based on elevation and distance. They can change it at any time without notice so it might increase over time if more home are added on the line..
High water pressure plays havoc on appliances, hoses, pipes, faucets and can cause major leaks if it is not corrected. It is the home owners responsibility to know and regulate the water pressure in their house and you do this through a water pressure reduction valve as shown in this video.
It is a good idea to plumb in the pressure gauges as these valves have a tendency to get sticky over time and not work as well as when new and you could see that on the gauges.
If you have a full house water filter later in the system you can add another pressure gauge after that to check for a pressure drop when the filter starts to get dirty.
Yes, but the problem that I have seen is that the gauges themselves tend to get sticky when they are sitting at the same pressure level for years and years and years. I've seen it before when the water supply is turned off and the gauges still read normal pressure even though the line has been drained. I much rather use a handheld gauge with a female garden hose adapter and periodically measure the water pressure at a sillcock or laundry sink installed downstream of the pressure reducing valve.
Pro press man. Pro press
“We have plenty of banging” - homeowner
In case anyone is interested. You are supposed to use pink Teflon tape for fittings over 1/2”.
Or you can just use a couple more wraps with the white tape. The only difference is the thickness and density.
Did anyone see all that water under the water main?
yes
Probably basement moisture
Look at all of the new fittings. They even tried to cover them up with dirt. The show probably went through and made it easy for Richard to do the work.
Jared S I was thinking the same thing!!
@@ryanwhitt1748 … There's a distinct possibility they just got done replacing the main shut-off valve so they could shoot this episode and not have a leaker the first time it was used in 40 years. OTOH, most of that area looks uncluttered as if they might have removed a well tank and recently added public water.
Looks to me like they put dirt on that hose Bibb and piping to cover the fact that it was just installed.
How much should a job like this cost?
My house only has the PRV on the line to the HTW, the other lines to the kitchen sink, 2 bathrooms and 2 outdoor spickets are NOT. I asked a Lowes plumbing rep if that was right, he said Yes, I think it is Wrong, all cold water lines should be PRV'd before their end faucets...
Ive got 100psi coming into my house, should I bother getting a valve installed?
A plumber wanted $300 to install one and tried to scare me saying it can blow out my water heater and other plumbing problems?
You can always try getting a second opinion, and second price as well. $300 seems fair to me. Would be worth it in my opinion just for the peace of mind knowing your system isn’t under more pressure than it should be.
Just found out yesterday our water pressure is the same (95 psi), but we’ve been living in the house for 5 years now with no issues. But I’m having a plumber swing by next week to install a pressure reducer valve just so I can sleep better at night
@@garrettadams2851
Bad thing is your shower pressure is greatly reduced!!
@@motorcitymanman7711 Yeah that's bullshit. I have three showers and four tubs in my home with six people. Everyone can shower or bathe each morning with no issues. My city water pressure is 100+psi, my home pressure is 50 psi. If there were problems, I would know since I have three daugthers and a wife......😂
what is the expected lifespan of these? thanks!
I had to replace mine when I moved into my house a few years ago. That was 2018 and house was built in 1992. Not sure if that was original to the house or installed later.
They are designed to last around 15 years. Mine lasted 25 before it failed.