Pressure Regulator Valve Services
Pressure Regulator Valve Testing
As San Antonio plumbers, a common piece of equipment that we often see overlooked is a good Pressure Regulator Valve (PRV). Don’t know what a PRV is? That’s okay. In simple terms, a PRV is a device that is installed on your water lines to automatically regulate your water pressure.
If you have found that you are having water pressure issues — either too high or too low of pressure — you may benefit from water pressure testing that can help determine if you need a new PRV installed on your water lines.
Water Pressure Management
Pressure regulators help make sure that your water pressure is just right — not too high or too low. If your water pressure is too low, you are unable to accomplish many everyday activities like showering, washing your dishes or watering your lawn. When your water pressure is too high, however, it can actually lead to damaged pipe joints, leaking pipes and premature wear and tear to your equipment and fixtures. On top of all that, high pressure can also lead to wasted water. With the frequent Drought-Induced Water Restrictions we experience here in San Antonio, we all know that wasted water is never a good thing.
In order to control water pressure, a PRV helps keep your system’s water pressure at a constant level and reduces the high pressure coming in from water mains. They accomplish this by using a diaphragm to control the amount of water coming in through the valve. Each valve has preset pressure points at which it opens or closes to increase or decrease the pressure.
A PRV is generally installed underground near the main shut off for your water meter. There are instances, however, when a PRV is installed above ground. It’s important to know where your pressure regulator is installed so that you can take proper care of it. If, for example, your regulator is above ground, you will need to make sure that it and the pipes it is attached to are insulated from exposure to the elements. It’s also important to make sure that your PRV is sized properly with your existing pipes to make sure that your water pressure is right for your home or business.
Static Testing and Hydrostatic Testing
While a water-pressure gauge from your local hardware store can be a great option for testing your home water pressure, sometimes you need some help from the experts. We know that you have your choice of plumbers in San Antonio, but what makes us one of the best San Antonio plumbers is that we know that water pressure testing isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure.
For example, in most homes and businesses, static testing — measuring the water pressure at any given point in a water supply system without any fixtures running — is enough to determine if a new PRV is needed. However, in order to make sure that your water system is able to handle fluctuations in water pressure, you may need hydrostatic testing — testing for strength and leaks by filling the pipe system with over-pressurized water.
If you’ve found that your water pressure isn’t where you think it should be, you should Contact the Good Guys in Blue so that we can help you determine if a PRV can help.
