Sonora plumbers describe the signs of a defective pressure reducing valve

While Sonora plumbers from Optimized plumbing & Piping are on service calls we notice that many times homeowners do not check the pressure in their homes water pipes for long periods. Eventually pressure reducing valves wear out and damage starts to faucets, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and even the water supply on your refrigerator. Our Sonora plumbers see this many times in our service area because so many homes use PRV valves (pressure reducing valves) to reduce the high water pressure in the water system. Below are some signs that your PRV could be going bad.

1) Noticeable drop in water pressure

While this is very inconvenient it’s not damaging to your plumbing fixtures like the next step which is high water pressure.

2) Noticeable rise in water pressure

Sonora plumbers say that water pressure in many parts of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties can top 120psi. This can be very damaging to plumbing fixtures and appliances in your home. Including water heaters, and tankless water heaters. This higher water pressure isn’t always noticeable because the pressure can stay where it is set when the water is being used. But when no water is used for a few minutes in the home the pressure steadily climbs, due to small leaks in the pressure reducing valve. This is not as noticeable as a constant high pressure. Many times when you turn on a faucet the excess pressure dissipates very quickly, but the damage happens when the fixtures are not being used, and the high pressure is kept in your water pipes for longer periods.

These problems can easily be solved by calling your Sonora plumbers at Optimized Plumbing & Piping at 209-743-9821. We provide plumbing service for the areas of Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, Groveland, Twain Harte, Murphys, San Andreas, Jackson, Oakdale, Riverbank, and Modesto.