Pressure Reducing Valves Explained - How to Replace a Pressure Regulator or Adjust Water Pressure

What is a Pressure Reducing Valve? How to replace a Pressure Regulator? How to Adjust Water Pressure. The pressure reducing valve, a.k.a pressure regulator valve (PRV) is device installed at the main water entry pipe of your home, reducing the water district's high pressure to a lower, safer pressure rate. Most common sizes are; 3/4", 1", 1 1/4".
In this video I am showcasing how to measure, increase or decrease the pressure of the pressure reducing valve as well as how to replace the water pressure regulator valve in your home.
The water district provides water at high pressure to every house in the neighborhood(usually 120psi-160psi), to ensure that all homes get plenty of water flow. Your homes, PRV reduces the water pressure to a safe 50psi-70psi. If you live in a master planned community, chances are you have a Pressure Regulator. If you live in an rural area, you might not have one, however with near-by new homes development, the water district might increase their pressure to ensure proper water delivery for future homes, which can result in your home needing to get a Pressure Reducing Valve installed as a result of the increased pressure in the water district's pipes.
Once you get one installed you may adjust the pressure by turning the bolt on it. Turn clockwise to increase the pressure and counterclockwise to reduce the water pressure. Ideal pressure is 50-60psi. When reducing the pressure, remove the pressure gauge and release old pressure, then recheck.
If you have an existing PRV and if you like to replace it. You might be able to do it yourself if the Pressure Regulator is attached to the pipe with unions. Just buy the same exact make and model, turn off the water to the house, drain the pipes and perform the operation. Only replace the rubber washers that come with the new one.
Below are Amazon links to the most common pressure regulators and the tolls you need to replace yours:
3/4 Zurn-Wilkins Pressure Regulator - amzn.to/33e9vWO
1" Zurn-Wilkins Pressure Regulator - amzn.to/3t9Uxf5 or amzn.to/331CNYT
1 1/4" Turn-Wilkins Pressure Regulator - amzn.to/3F1KDyE
3/4" Watts Pressure Regulator - amzn.to/3f1Liph
1" Watts Pressure Regulator - amzn.to/3th9lZo
Pressure Gauge Hose Bib Connection - amzn.to/3ENOShb or amzn.to/3mP8hbg or amzn.to/3qGQDrs
My favorite pliers sets:
- 16 " Pliers(you need this for the 1 1/4" PRV) - amzn.to/3qX15Lr
- Single Pliers Medium Size - amzn.to/3sZfwBc
- Two Pliers Set, Medium & Large - amzn.to/3znkMQC
- Three Pliers Set, Small, Medium & Large - amzn.to/3pMuyII
- Solder torch - amzn.to/3zjAYlA
- Solder - amzn.to/3zkoSIX
- Soldering Flux - amzn.to/3zno06G
- Solder brush - amzn.to/32U17vs

[@jaykrauss7613]

Thank you Dennis, this video was very informational and helped me diagnose my water problems. You're the man.

[@alexmal23]

Thank you!!! I have been trying to find a setup with the regulator and home filtration system for a DIY project. Awesome video

[@Armando-lg3ry]

I spent 6 hours researching if I can easily replace my Zurn double Union with a Watts or Acme since my local hardware stores carry more of those and they're much cheaper. Found your video at random and found the answer to my question. I'm staying with Zurn. Big hassle was prevented. Thank you very much. If only Zurn rebuild kits were cheaper and individual pieces like the rubber washers were easier to find.

[@henrymaterla4709]

SUPER! INF.Th.Henry.

[@TheCodesterr]

Super helpful thank you

[@spiderstone]

Nice explanation .....thanks.......good job.....

[@EK99_00]

You should make a vid showing how to replace a water PRV.

[@rowanjones3476]

For those living where gauges read in metric units, typical domestic pressure equivalent of 50-75psi ≈ 350-500kPa. 1psi = 6.895kPa

[@MrGeo19792000]

Thank you this video very helpful.. just got to figure out the size of PRV. It looks the very same one on this video that you show with the black top. Mine is a very old like 17yrs. How can I measure the size of PRV?

[@t-mach5504]

Dennis, question please! Can I install a PRV on 3/4” PVC pipe goin to water softener? I have install prv’s on copper pipes but never on PVC pipes! Thank you!

[@theiothobbyist7790]

Hello Dennis. When should I use a single chamber PRV versus a double chamber PRV? Are there advantages of using the double chamber ones?

[@jimmatrix7244]

Does a high pressure increase water meter reading? I get very high bills for years.

[@jacktanner7738]

Dennis, did I hear you right? You said one symptom of a BAD regulator is that with all water turned off the pressure will slowly climb in the house. This leads me to believe that a GOOD regulater restricts 100% of the flow if there is no demand for water in the house. Am I correct?

[@VanminhVn2]

Good explanation and tips!

[@qeesher]

Hi Dennis. Thanks for the video. If you hear a noise in the pipe, how do you identify the source of the noise?

[@dennistheplumber]

I first go by hearing and try to match the noise to the previous cases I have dealt with. After so many years, once I hear the noise I can tell what’s the problem in 99% of the occurrences. The issues are always replicating for the same make and model devices. Then I will go ahead and replace the the PRV, and this is when you find out for sure.

[@ltnvideo]

great video. i think my PRV is failing as my water pressure is lower than ever. increasing the pressure doesn’t do anything and the water company says nothing has changed on their end. i might take on this project myself and swap out the PRV

[@Miketaylornews]

The filter on the pressure reducer valve might be clogged up

[@deborahchumley2555]

I just viewed the video which is interesting. There is sn Apollo prv installed in my home. Righ at the adjusting screw there is a leak. Can this be repaired will this cause other problems if it isn't repaired soon? Thank you Deborah

[@Xclusive615]

Did you ever get a response or this fixed? My prv is leaking at the screw as well.

[@bigopro6607]

Thanks for the video Dennis. My question is. I have a relatively new (installed about 2 years ago) PRV. I took a pressure reading with my gauge and it shows 100 PSI. I loosened the lock nut and rotated counter clockwise a few turns to reduce the pressure. I ran my faucet at the kitchen sink and noticed the water pressure was now too low. Once I shut it off, I noticed the pressure in the gauge go back up to 100 PSI. Any suggestions on why this would be the case? Thanks in advance.

[@dennistheplumber]

The PRV must be bad.

[@RM-si7kb]

Hey "big o pro" I am having this same issue... Did you find a fix? Replace the PRV? Thanks in advance!!

[@bigopro6607]

@@RM-si7kb, yes. Got it fixed by replacing the PRV. Working like a charm now.

[@davyoa]

Clockwise = increase pressure. Anti-clockwise=reduce pressure is this accurate for all water pressure reducing valves?

[@Sebirus33]

Good video but : I don’t know why I have high pressure only on one of the shower upstairs the other one it’s fine

[@JoeToz]

I have a Watts. I have a leak at the adjusting screw. I put plumbers tape on it to stop the leak, but now no matter how loose I go to lower pressure it doesn’t lower. And it seems as though one end doesn’t just have a nut to loosen to replace entire valve. Any suggestions?

[@dennistheplumber]

You need to replace the entire valve.

[@colinrobert-kv2up]

Call, before you dig, or change tell someone, regulator valves, flows of rates, times, preprogramers, meter math, gauge Reading, means commonly used together..john.

[@colinmoore68]

Hello Dennis, I turned off the water while replacing a hose at my sink, since then the pressure/flow is low throughout the house. Could the act of turning the main valve off and on been enough to cause this issue with the PRV? Any other tips would be gratefully appreciated. I look forward to watching some of your videos, good job!

[@dennistheplumber]

If the main water valve you turned off is the so called gate valve with a round handle, often time those don’t fully open. Check you hose bib on top of the main shut off valve. If the water flow seems low at the hose bib then the issue is with the gate valve.

[@colinmoore68]

@@dennistheplumber Thanks Dennis, it is a 1/4 turn lever type.

[@dennistheplumber]

In this case I cannot tell where the issue is.

[@michaelcastro7039]

Hi Dennis, I have a 1 1/4 inch PRV that needs to be replaced. I believe you said it’s not necessary to replace the whole unit, and just need to replace the washers, is that right? Because I was going to purchase the entire unit which is $300. But if just the washers need to be replaced that will save me quite a bit.

[@dennistheplumber]

You need to replace the whole pressure regulator and the rubber seals at the least. You can leave the old unions in pace as long the the height of the pressure regulator and the thread step of the unions are the same.

[@michaelcastro7039]

Ok, yeah I’m replacing it with the same part size and brand

[@schatzemanly6749]

Pressure regulator needed if incoming pressure is above 75 psig. If you have to install a pressure regulator get one that “fails shut” so your pipes won’t be overpressurized when/if the pressure regulator fails. Btw, house water pressure should be at least 50 psi

[@artcaballerojr]

Wich models are fail shut

[@santiagorivera1562]

Is a pressure reducing valve the same as a pressure regulator? Also, my plumbing inspection said my pressure reducing valve is in an irrigation box outside my house. How do I get to it? Do I need a shovel?

[@dennistheplumber]

It's the same thing. There should be a cover in the ground you can open to gain access. Sometimes these are buried in dirt and it's not easy.

[@markkwasny9650]

Some plumbing codes require a PRV to be above grade(ground) whether indoors or outdoors.

[@Manning2k23]

I have a question, so my water pressure is good until I flush the toilet then I lose water pressure in the kitchen. Or if I turn my washer machine on i cant take a shower because the pressure drops tremendously. Would that be a bad PRV? Or would it be something else?

[@dennistheplumber]

You have problem with the water flow rate. This might be caused by a restriction of a not fully opened inline valve, such as the one at the water meter or the main water valve on the side of the house. A clogged PRV might case this issue as well.

[@Manning2k23]

@@dennistheplumber I just bought the house. So im not sure where the PRV is located it was built in the 70’s. So would I need to call a plumber? 😅 ive never done plumbing before so idk what to do.

[@Manning2k23]

@@dennistheplumber I appreciate the feed back!

[@dennistheplumber]

Yes, get a plumber out. Some even offer free troubleshooting and estimates.

[@Manning2k23]

@@dennistheplumber thank you so much

[@colinrobert-kv2up]

Upgrade landscape of renters.

[@colinrobert-kv2up]

No apps..

[@jeepersthenightstalkercree246]

Where's the link to the pressure gauge

[@dennistheplumber]

amzn.to/3DqFwK6

[@henryt9254]

Better to use a torch to heat up hard to loosen fittings then to use WD 40. You don't want any WD 40s in your potable water system.

[@Birdkillersteve]

Last time I checked WD-40 isn't NSF approved. You may be drinking that stuff so I wouldn't do that. Better you tap on opposite sides of the Union flats with a hammer at the same time. No chemicals needed does the same thing.

[@jacktanner7738]

Dilution. The lube will be negligible and eventually zero once rhe water flows a while.