A water pressure regulator controls water pressure to prevent damage to plumbing systems. It is adjustable and can be found near the water supply outside the home. Water heaters have a temperature pressure regulating valve to prevent explosions. It is important to know where these safety features are located and periodically test them.
A water pressure regulator is a safety feature in your plumbing system designed to prevent water pressure from building too high while ensuring that the pressure remains high enough for a constant flow
from taps, faucets and shower heads. This device is often found near the water supply outside the home and is very useful for people to know where their water pressure regulators are located and how to adjust them if necessary.
The plumbing works due to water pressure. When the pressure is high enough, water will be pushed through an open faucet, even if the water outlet is well above ground level. However, too high a pressure can lead to leaks, eroded washers, slamming pipes and even explosions, in extreme circumstances. A water pressure regulator is a valve that controls the level of water pressure to ensure that it is effective and safe. In a multi-story building, each floor may have a water pressure regulator in place, as higher levels of pressure are needed on higher floors to successfully push water upwards.
Classically, water pressure fluctuates between 40 pounds per square inch (2.8 kilograms per square centimeter) and 60 PSI (4.22 kilograms per square centimeter). Most water pressure regulators have an adjustable dial that can be used to increase the water pressure in case the water simply runs out of the taps and to decrease the pressure if the water pressure is too strong . Some also have valves that open on a rise in pressure to allow the water to drain harmlessly, rather than blowing through the plumbing system.
Water heaters have a special type of water pressure regulator called a temperature pressure regulating valve (TPRV or TPR valve). The TPR valve is designed to open if the pressure or temperature inside the water heater reaches a dangerous level, allowing the pressure to vent harmlessly, albeit sometimes in a messy way. If this valve is damaged or defective, there is a risk of an explosion caused by extremely high pressure inside the water heater.
Familiarizing yourself with safety features such as water pressure regulators, main water blocks and breaker boxes is a great idea so that you can access them quickly in an emergency. It’s also a good idea to periodically test these security features to make sure they work without problems; it should be easy to turn the valve or knob with the aid of a pair of pliers or a vice, for example, and there should be no signs of corrosion, leakage or stress on the surrounding joints.
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