How to Adjust the Water Pressure Regulator / Pressure Reducing Valve

How to adjust the water pressure regulator valve - municipal building water pressure
- How to adjust the water pressure reducer or water pressure regulator
- Which way to turn the pressure reducer or pressure regulator screw to increase or decrease building water pressure
- How to test a water pressure regulator that seems to be misbehaving
- How to diagnose & correct loss of water pressure or loss of water in a building
WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR - separate article
WATER PRESSURE TOO HIGH: DANGERS - separate article
WATER PRESSURE VARIATION CAUSES - separate article
References

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This article describes exactly how to adjust a building water pressure reducer or water pressure regulator control, as part of diagnosing and correcting poor building water pressure or perhaps the need for a replacement water pressure regulator/pressure reducer.

Readers whose building is served by a private pump and well system should see WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL.

Distinguishing between static water pressure, dynamic water pressure, and water flow rate can help diagnose water problems in a building. Here we explain these concepts and we describe how to measure water pressure and flow at a property where either municipal water supply or a private well and pump water supply is in use.

How to Adjust the Water Pressure Regulator on Municipal Water Supply

At WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR we explain what a pressure regulator or water pressure reducing control are and how they work. We also explain that selecting the proper water pressure reducing valve (or water pressure regulating valve) is important to avoid both unsafe conditions (wire draw), and poor performance (water pressure too high or too low, noisy valve operation, etc).

At MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS and at WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR we have already mentioned checking and adjusting the pressure control for the water pump on a private well system - just above. But what if the home does not have it's own well - what if the building is connected to a municipal water supply?

Find the pressure reducing valve or pressure regulator control for the building

A water pressure regulator or pressure reducing may be installed. See the illustration at the top of this page and at left. A device, usually a few inches across and often shaped a bit like a bell, may be found installed quite close to the building water meter.

The water meter is often installed where water pipes enter the building and the pressure regulator will be installed just after the water meter on the same pipe.

Notice the Pressure Reducing Valve Model

At WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR we explain that selecting the proper water pressure reducing valve (or water pressure regulating valve) is important to avoid both unsafe conditions (wire draw), and poor performance (water pressure too high or too low, noisy valve operation, etc).

Notice the Pressure Reducer Adjustment Screw & Lock Nut

You may see a set-screw secured by a lock-nut on the top of the pressure regulating valve or water pressure reducing valve that is built right into a water meter, or more often there is a separate device, shown in our photos, that includes a screw (and lock nut) or knob that will permit the water pressure regulator to be adjusted to set the water pressure up or down in the building.

Loosen the Lock Nut & Turn the Pressure Reducer Adjustment Screw

Which way to turn the water pressure regulator screw? On most pressure regulators, after loosening the lock-nut around the adjusting screw, turning the screw in will increase the water pressure. Don't overdo-it. Just a turn or two should make a difference. Keep track of the number of turns so that you can go back to where you started if necessary.

Sometimes the municipal water supply may itself be temporarily shut down or running at reduced flow. Check with your local water department or neighbors.

Increasing the building water pressure by adjusting the pressure regulator (or a pump pressure control switch) will not fix a poor water delivery rate from the source (municipal water main or local private water pump), but if the pressure was set too low to start with you may see an improvement by this adjustment. If your loss of water pressure or flow was sudden, it's not likely to be a problem with the pressure regulator except in the less common cases of a blockage or failure in the regulator itself.

Watch out: don't set the water pressure reducing valve higher than necessary. Doing so wastes water and as we discuss at WATER PRESSURE TOO HIGH: DANGERS, setting water pressure too high can cause both plumbing problems and actual serious safety hazards at buildings.

If Adjusting the Water Pressure Regulating Valve Still Does Not Provide Enough Water Flow

If a small adjustment to the pressure reducing valve does not produce the desired water pressure and flow rate in the building, it's not a good idea to set the control to the extremes of its adjustment range. These devices work best operating near the middle of their rated pressure and flow ranges.

How to Get More Water Flow Through the Pressure Reducing Valve

As we explain at WATER PRESSURE REDUCER / REGULATOR, parallel pressure reducing valves/water pressure regulators can be installed, one set at a higher psi flow rate than the other. For example installing a Watts Model 223 pressure reducer set at 50 psi in parallel with a second Watts 223 pressure reducer set to 60 psi will allow increased total water flow capacity during periods of peak water demand.

Water Pressure Regulator Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair or Replacement

This article describes how to observe, diagnose, or perhaps how to test a water pressure regulator that seems to be misbehaving.

Some readers whose homes are connected to municipal or community water supply systems have commented that the water pressure in the home has been observed to increase to a pressure above the water pressure regulator set-pressure overnight when no one is using water.

First, what might cause water pressure to increase to abnormal levels in a building served by a community water supply?

At WATER PRESSURE VARIATION CAUSES we listed quite a few reasons that water pressure may vary in a building. One of these is described as:

Variation in performance of the pressure regulator itself: a water pressure regulator may be misbehaving. One water pressure regulator failure mode causes gradual increases in building water pressure above the set point on the regulator. This may be due to an internal failure or leak in the water pressure regulator, dirt on the regulator valve seat, or a leak in an internal regulator valve or pressure-sensing diaphraghm if your valve uses such a component.

A Watts 123LP low water pressure regulator is shown in our sketch at above left. Notice that i the middle of teh valve is a modular seat and disc assembly and at the bottom of the valve is the actual valve seat (above the "A"). If a piece of debris, (rust flake, dirt, mineral fragment) happens to jam on this valve seat, the valve may not close fully as it is intended to do at a given water pressure setting.

During the day when building occupants are frequently using water, even if the pressure regulator is feeding water at a pressure above the intended setting, no one may notice, because water use "bleeds off" the excess pressure.

But at night when no one is using water, a slow leak at the water regulator will feed more water into the building piping. In an extremen case (which we OPINE would be unusual) combining a defective water pressure regulator and high municipal supply pressure (say over 80 psi i the water mains), the result could be leaky plumbing fittings, pipes, fixtures.

How to Test The Water Pressure Regulator

1. Read & record the initial static building water pressure using a pressure gauge.

By initial static building water pressure we mean the water pressure at the start of a test interval over which we're going to watch for a change in building water pressure.

When water is not being run in the building the water pressure should not change. If you observe water pressure just after plumbing fixtures have been run you will see the immediate pressure regulator response - it should restore water pressure to its set point. If, after that time no water is run in the building for some time period, say eight hours overnight, the water pressure should be the same.

Use a water pressure gauge that is already installed, or an add-on water pressure gauge (see photo at the top of WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT) that you can connect to a convenient fitting such as a hose bib or clothes washer hook-up.

If you have a water pressure gauge already installed (some homes include a water pressure gauge close to the pressure regulator even where the water supply is from a community supply) you may be reading water pressure on the gauge.

Watch out: as we explain at WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY, pressure gauges may become inaccurate or sticky. Try tapping gently on the pressure gauge to see if its pressure reading changes.

2. Read & record the ending static building water pressure

At the end of a test period during which no one has run any water (we recommend over night if possible or eight hours), make a note of the water pressure again.

If ending static water pressure is lower than your start point we suspect that there is a leaky plumbing fixture, dripping faucet, or running toilet.

If ending static water pressure is higher than your start point we suspect that either:

The pressure regulator has an internal leak, or
The municipal water pressure in the water mains at the time of your start point was below the set point on your building's water pressure regulator

Water Pressure Regulator Repairs

Flush the regulator valve seat: you might be able to remove a bit of debris on the pressure regulator valve seat or in the valve assembly by loosening the lock nut and temporarily increasing the set pressure, followed by running water out at a nearby fixture.

(Alternatively some water pressure feeder/regulators (usually lower-pressure devices found on heating boilers - see WATER FEEDER Valves, Hydronic) include a bypass lever that can be lifted to temporarily bypass the pressure control and flush water through the valve.)

Watch out: be sure to restore the set pressure to a safe level for the building.

Following pressure regulator valve flushing, you'll want to repeat the pressure test we described above.

If a gentle attempt to flush debris from the valve seat makes no difference and the regulator continues to overfeed water to the building, the pressure regulator needs to be replaced. This will require temporarily shutting off water at the main building water shutoff, draining water pressure from the building piping, then removing and replacing the pressure regulator devicve.

While it may be possible to disassemble and clean and replace water pressure regulator internal parts, unless homeowner repairs are specifically described in the installation and maintenance manual for your water pressure regulator, we do not recommend trying that. It's rather easy to lose a tiny part or damage something, leaving yourself with no water in the building for still longer while someone dashes out for a replacement part.

A Guide to Building Water Pressure by Adjusting or Repairing the Water Pump Pressure Control Switch on a Private Pump and Well Water Supply

If your water pressure problems are concerned with a private well water supply system or a small community well water supply system (well, pump, water pressure tank, and pump pressure control switch) see the notes just below.

For details about diagnosing poor well water pressure and flow, start at BAD WELL WATER PRESSURE or FLOW or go directly to the individual items listed just below.

How to Adjust Water Pump Pressure: The detailed, step by step procedure for inspecting and adjusting the water pressure control switch is discussed in detail at ADJUST PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL.
Diagnosing Water Pump Short Cycling on and off: If your water pump is clicking on and off too often or quite rapidly see SHORT CYCLING.
Diagnosing Water Pressure Drops without explanation when the pump stops, see Water Pressure Falls Slowly, Erratic Pumping: bad pressure control switch, building water running or leak, bad pressure gauge, bad check valve, bad foot valve.
Diagnosing & Repairing Lost Air in the Water Tank: The problem of lost air in the water pressure tank along with how to correct that condition are discussed beginning at SIGNS OF AIR LOSS.
Diagnosing & Repairing a Water Pressure Control or Water Pump Control Switch: We discuss diagnosing and repairing a water pressure control switch that sticks "on" or "off" or simply won't operate, at water pump Pressure Switch Repairs.

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Watts, 815 Chestnut Street, North Andover, MA, USA 01845-6098, web search 09/18/2010 Watts Regulator Corporation, 815 Chestnut Street, North Andover, MA, USA 01845-6098, provides pressure and temperature relief valves, water pressure test gauges, water pressure regulators, backflow preventers, check valves, and other plumbing and heating controls and supplies. Website: http://www.watts.com/
- Watts Backflow preventers - 978-688-1811
- Watts Control valves - 713-943-0688 for example Watts pressure reducing valves, original source: http://www.watts.com/pages/learnAbout/reducingValves.asp?catId=64
- Watts Drainage products - 828-288-2179
- Watts Potable water PEX plumbing - 978-688-1811
- Watts Water safety controls - 978-688-1811
- Watts Water quality & conditioning products - 352-465-2000

Access Water Energy, PO Box 2061, Moorabbin, VIC 3189, Australia, Tel: 1300 797 758, email: sales@accesswater.com.au Moorabbin Office: Kingston Trade Centre, 100 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
Australian supplier of: Greywater systems, Solar power to grid packages, Edwards solar systems, Vulcan compact solar systems, water & solar system pumps & controls, and a wide rage of above ground & under ground water storage tanks: concrete, steel, plastic, modular, and bladder storage tanks.
Smart Tank, Installation Instructions, Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf [Copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] -
Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation, Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf, [Copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps_1.pdf ] -
Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation, Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf, [Copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] -

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The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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Crystal Clear Supply provides portable ceramic water filter purifiers and portable reverse osmosis water treatment equipment - see http://www.crystalclearsupply.com/category_s/7.htm

Handbook of Disinfectants and Antiseptics, Joseph M. Ascenzi (Editor), CRC, 1995, ISBN-10: 0824795245 ISBN-13: 978-0824795245 "The evaluation of chemical germicides predates the golden age of microbiology..." -
This well-focused, up-to-date reference details the current medical uses of antiseptics and disinfectants -- particularly in the control of hospital-acquired infections -- presenting methods for evaluating products to obtain regulatory approval and examining chemical, physical, and microbiological properties as well as the toxicology of the most widely used commercial chemicals.
Potable Aqua® emergency drinking water germicidal tablets are produced by the Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., Jackson WI 53037. 800-558-6614 pharmacalway.com
Principles and Practice of Disinfection, Preservation and Sterilization (Hardcover)
by A. D. Russell (Editor), W. B. Hugo (Editor), G. A. J. Ayliffe (Editor), Blackwell Science, 2004. ISBN-10: 1405101997, ISBN-13: 978-1405101998.
"This superb book is the best of its kind available and one that will undoubtedly be useful, if not essential, to workers in a variety of industries. Thirty-one distinguished specialists deal comprehensively with the subject matter indicated by the title ... The book is produced with care, is very readable with useful selected references at the end of each chapter and an excellent index. It is an essential source book for everyone interested in this field. For pharmacy undergraduates, it will complement the excellent text on pharmaceutical microbiology by two of the present editors."
The Pharmaceutical Journal: "This is an excellent book. It deals comprehensively and authoritatively with its subject with contributions from 31 distinguished specialists. There is a great deal to interest all those involved in hospital infection ... This book is exceptionally well laid out. There are well chosen references for each chapter and an excellent index. It is highly recommended." The Journal of Hospital Infection.: "The editors and authors must be congratulated for this excellent treatise on nonantibiotic antimicrobial measures in hospitals and industry ... The publication is highly recommended to hospital and research personnel, especially to clinical microbiologists, infection-control and environmental-safety specialists, pharmacists, and dieticians."
New England Journal of Medicine: City Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Covers the many methods of the elimination or prevention of microbial growth. Provides an historical overview, descriptions of the types of antimicrobial agents, factors affecting efficacy, evaluation methods, and types of resistance. Features sterilization methods, and more. Previous edition: c1999. DNLM: Sterilization--methods.
U.S. Army Field Manual 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation, 1988, web search 07/02/2010, original source: http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-21-10-field-hygiene-and-sanitation.shtml
The purpose of this manual is to assist individual soldiers, unit commanders, leaders and field sanitation teams in preventing disease and environmental injuries. The manual provides information on preventive medicine measures (PMM) to the individual soldier as well as essential information for the unit commander, unit leaders, and the unit field sanitation team on applying unit level PMM.
When Technology Fails, Matthew Stein, Chelsea Green Publisher, 2008,493 pages. ISBN-10: 1933392452 ISBN-13: 978-1933392455, "... how to find and sterilize water in the face of utility failure, as well as practical information for dealing with water-quality issues even when the public tap water is still flowing". Mr. Stein's website is www.whentechfails.com/
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