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Birmingham Plumbing - Pressure Regulators.
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home is required by local plumbing code to be equipped
with a PRV, otherwise
known as a pressure regulating valve or pressure
reducing valve. This large, cone-shaped brass valve
is located on your incoming main water line, most
of the time inside the home. You may never have
seen this valve if you have a crawlspace or a finished
basement, but rest assured, it's there (or should
be). The function of a PRV is to regulate the water
pressure inside your home's plumbing between 55
and 70 psi. The water pressure on your main waterline
before it reaches your home, and subsequently your
PRV, is around 130-160 psi. This is far too high
for your faucets, toilet valves, and other plumbing
fixtures to handle. This amount of pressure would
damage the components in these items, causing faulty
operation and leaks. So in order to |
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keep the water pressure at a safe
working level, a PRV is installed to reduce and regulate
the pressure at a consistent range, extending the life
of your plumbing system. They accomplish this by using
an internally mounted spring and diaphragm assembly that
controls the pressure by channeling the water through
multiple chambers. Imagine the muffler on your car...only
a little more complex.
Like any other mechanical valve, PRV's have a relatively
limited lifespan. Their total working time is dependent
on several things, including street pressure, usage, and
overall quality, but the average lifespan of one of these
valves ranges from 7-12 years, with some exceptions. PRV's
can be easily damaged, however, and often you will notice
pressure issues in your home after only a few years. Small
bits of debris can find their way into waterlines, damaging
or clogging the mechanism that controls pressure. The
internal diaphragm, being made of a softer material, can
be torn if debris enters the valve. This event will often
cause a humming or banging sound coming from your water
pipes, known as water hammer. High quality valves are
less prone, but still susceptible to these problems. Some
brands and models have a longer lifespan than others,
and we only install the highest quality, proven valves
in your home. These valves range in size from 3/4"
to 1 1/2" for residential applications, and even
larger for commercial properties. We install and service
them all. |
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Save More Money
Take Advantage of This Special Offer When Fixing Your
Home Water Line
or Sewer Line.
Send Us Any
Written Estimate.
We can usually match or beat any written estimate. Send an estimate from any other plumbing services company and let us see what we can do for you.
Give us a try! |
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