Understanding Pressure Reducing Valves in 78717

At Abacus Plumbing, we know how important it is for folks in the 78717 zip code to keep their homes running smoothly. As part of our commitment to provide quality home maintenance service, we'd like to take the opportunity to discuss a specific, albeit rarely discussed, plumbing component - the pressure reducing valve.

Pressure reducing valves are a critical part of the plumbing component certain devices such as water heaters, showers, and bathtubs rely on. Not only do they help regulate the pressure in your home's pipes, but they also help guide hot water to the appropriate faucets and devices. As such, they can be quite helpful to understand, so whether you're a resident of the 78717 zip code looking to understand what's going on behind the scenes in your own home or a contractor just passing through, here's what you need to know:

What is a Pressure Reducing Valve?

In its most simple definition, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) is what's responsible for curbing the pressure of water when it enters your home's plumbing system. Unlike other valves, they don't just stop the flow of water, but they regulate it. This helps ensure that the water ALREADY in your system doesn't become overloaded with too much pressure and prevents harm to the other components in the system.

Think of it this way—when someone turns on the faucet, the pressure is increased, but if this pressure is not regulated, it can cause serious and irreversible damage to the pipes or other plumbing components. To avoid this, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) regulates the flow of water and keeps it consistent, slow, and steady.

Do You Need a PRV?

PRVs can be very helpful when you're dealing with a plumbing issue. If you're noticing that your water pressure is too low or too high, a PRV can help bring it back into a normal range. Additionally, if you're installing hot water features such as a shower or water heater, you will need to install a PRV.

Can You Install a Pressure Reducing Valve Yourself?

Understandably, most property owners won't feel too confident when it comes to dealing with plumbing issues. As such, most property owners should not attempt to install a pressure reducing valve (PRV) without supervision from a licensed plumber. Not only are they trained in the installation, repair and maintenance of PRVs and other plumbing components, but they're also trained to properly identify and solve problems associated with them.

Bottom Line

Whether you're a resident of 78717 or just a contractor occasionally in the area, it's important to know and understand the role of pressure reducing valves in any home's plumbing system. Not only do they help water-powered devices operate safely, but they also help regulate the consistent flow of water. In most cases, it's not recommended to install it yourself, as it requires a certain skill-level to do correctly. Instead, it's best to reach out to a trusted and experienced company like Abacus Plumbing for your pressure-reducing valve needs.

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