No doubt you’ve heard of a pressure cooker—and maybe you even have one in your kitchen right now. That’s a simple example of a pressure regulator, but did you know that you could have a number of pressure regulators doing their silent jobs across your home right now?
Types of Pressure Regulators
A pressure regulator is a valve that limits the flow of a liquid or gas to a certain pressure.
In your home, you’re likely to find a pressure regulator in the following locations:
Gas grills, to regulate propane
At the furnace, to regulate natural gases
Engines, to regulate fuel
Air compressors, to regulate the compressed air
Medical equipment, such as an oxygen tank to regulate oxygen flow
Water lines, reducing the pressure of water coming from the main line into the home
No matter where you find a pressure regulator, its job is essentially the same: reduce inlet pressure to a lower outlet pressure.
Water Pressure Regulators
This plumbing valve is located where the main water line from the city enters your home. Its job is to reduce the pressure of the fast-surging public water to one that works better in residential pipes. However, not every home is equipped with a water pressure regulator.
If you don’t have a water pressure regulator, then you may need one. Your water pressure may be too high, and is currently damaging your pipes!
If you’re not sure what your current water pressure is, then you can measure it with a pressure gauge—picked up at a local hardware store.
Test your water pressure at various times of the day and night. Just don’t do so when the water is turned on either inside or outside of your home. If the pressure gauge registers between 40 and 60 psi, you should be fine.
However if the pressure is higher or lower, then contact Forrest Anderson for an inspection and installation.
Why Pressure Regulators Are Important
Your home’s water pressure will be tested when you are buying or selling a home. Also, beware that some cities in Arizona require homes to have a pressure regulator, regardless of the water pressure coming into the home!
During an inspection, assessing water pressure is a good way to determine if there are any issues in a home’s water supply. While low or high pressure could be related to a faulty pressure regulator, it could also signify a problem within the home.
If you are unsure if your home has a water pressure regulator, look at where the main line enters the home. The regulator will usually be installed downstream of the city water meter.
While servicing the regulator is typically a simple process, remember that adding a regulator is a much more entailed project.
If you’re a complete novice when it comes to anything dealing with your home, that’s okay; we’ve got your back.
Call us at Forrest Anderson with any questions you have about your pressure regulators—and if you even have one. If you need yours serviced or replaced, contact us to take care of it for you!
Contact Forrest Anderson Today!