A PRV valve, or pressure-reducing valve, is a crucial component in the water infrastructure of any building or community. But what exactly is a PRV valve and how does it work?
A PRV valve is a device that is installed in the water line and is designed to reduce the pressure of the water flowing through it. It works by using a spring-loaded diaphragm that is sensitive to changes in pressure. When the water pressure becomes too high, the diaphragm pushes against the spring, which in turn opens a valve and allows water to flow through at reduced pressure.
So why is this important?
Well, for one thing, high water pressure can cause damage to pipes and other components in a building’s water infrastructure. This can lead to leaks and other problems that can be costly to repair. Additionally, high water pressure can also cause appliances like washing machines and dishwashers to wear out more quickly.
In this quick post, we’ll break it down and explain the importance of this little piece of equipment.
Money and Property Saver
A PRV valve can help you save money in Three ways.
First
It helps keep your pipes from breaking, which could cause a big mess and a lot of money to clean up.
Here’s a Hypothetical situation…
It was a typical day in the city when disaster struck. Suddenly, without warning, the water pressure in the pipes increased drastically. What had gone wrong? It turns out that one of the PRV valves had failed, resulting in a severe rise in water pressure within the home.
This dramatic increase caused the home’s plumbing to fail, resulting in a copper water line bursting while the homeowners were away. It was unknown how long the PRV valve failed, as the damage to the home’s basement and upstairs bathroom was extensive. Costing over ten thousand dollars.
Second,
In addition to the damage, left unchecked, the cost of the water that did the damage adds insult to injury. The high pressure means that more water is being flushed through the pipes, resulting in a higher-than-normal water bill.
Nationwide, water damage costs insurance companies around 20 Billion Dollars Annually. And the average home insurance claim is a little over $11,000. Installing a PRV valve can help protect you from costly water damage.
Lastly,
It helps keep the water in your home safe so you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble or having to pay for something you didn’t cause. Even though a PRV valve is not a backflow prevention device, the pressure behind it acts as one inherently.
Let’s talk about water pressure.
In order for water to flow through pipes and into our homes, it needs to be under a certain amount of pressure. This pressure is usually generated by a pump or a water tower. However, if the water pressure is too high, it can cause damage to pipes and even lead to leaks. This is where a PRV valve comes in.
Storytime
About 12 years ago(2009), I was working on a housing development in town. It was late fall and I was excavating to “tap” the water main for the service lines of the duplex. When the water infrastructure was installed, a PRV valve was installed on a 6-inch water main for the development. There were also Mullier water taps and curb stops for each duplex.
This is how we found out it failed.
As we exposed gravel that was used to bed the pipe and fittings, I hit the right side tap, causing it to burst open. The amount of time and water that filled the excavation was unique, seconds. It sounded like a jet with water running down the road. You could feel it in your feet.
This situation made a pretty big mess.
Once the water was shut off and drained away, the water pressure that came out of the curb-stop created a cavern in the earth surrounding the pipe. When we got the water pressure tested, the pressure was around 215psi. Put it this way, we fixed a pretty dangerous issue that no one knew about until that moment. I will never forget that.
High water pressure can wreak havoc on your water filters and cause them to fail prematurely. When water pressure is too high, it can put extra strain on the filters, causing them to wear out faster. This can also lead to leaks and other malfunctions, reducing the effectiveness of the filter.
Additionally, high water pressure can cause water to flow through the filters too quickly, which can prevent the filters from properly removing contaminants from the water. It is important to note that water filters are typically tested for functionality at typical household pressure levels, so using a PRV valve to reduce the water pressure to the recommended levels can ensure that your water filters are functioning as intended.
In Conclusion
A PRV valve is a small but mighty piece of equipment that plays a crucial role in the water infrastructure of any building or community. It helps to maintain safe water pressure, save energy, and prevent backflow, all while protecting the integrity of the water infrastructure.
Most homes should have a PRV valve already attached to their service line. Modern building codes require them before you get your Certificate of Occupancy (CO). But like everything in a house, even a PRV Valve has a life expectancy.
FAQs
- A PRV valve can also help prevent water hammering: A water hammer is a banging sound that can occur in pipes when water is abruptly stopped or started. This can cause damage to pipes and other components of the water system. A PRV valve can help prevent water hammer by reducing the pressure of the water and making the flow more steady and controlled.
- A PRV valve can improve water quality: By reducing the pressure of the water, a PRV valve can also help improve the quality of the water that is delivered to homes and businesses. This is because high water pressure can cause mineral deposits to form in pipes, which can affect the taste and odor of the water.
- PRV valves have a long lifespan: PRV valves are designed to be durable and long-lasting. With proper maintenance and care, they can last for many years and provide reliable service. This makes them a cost-effective solution for maintaining water pressure and protecting the water supply.
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