Need a pressure regulator?

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Bofa

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Dec 19, 2019
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Location
Southern California
Hi all,

I tested the pressure to my parent's home and it is reading 75 psi. I went to go see if there was a pressure regulator and I could not find one (not the bell shaped one that I have). Please see picture for what my parents have. Question is: Do I need to install a pressure regulator or is there something I can do with the set up in the picture to adjust the pressure? If there is something I can do without installing a pressure regulator, is there a website that will give me instructions on how to do so? The house is about 60 years old. Thanks in advance.
 

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most likely that is the water to the sprinkler system

70 psi is border line high. if it were my house i would screw a tattletale test gauge on a hose bib
the red arrow will record the highest pressure the gauge sees
you can then tell if the pressure spikes at night over 70 psi
if it does. then you install a pressure reducing valve. at the meter
and an expansion tank on the water heater

test_gauge.png
 
1. What prompted you to reduce the pressure?

2. Can you confirm what that backflow preventer is feeding? Just want to make sure it's not feeding the house. Because if it was I would then ask where the 75 psi pressure reading was taken.

3. Actually I will ask where the water pressure was taken? And further ask if there is anything downstream of that point, such as a filter/water softener system that would be reducing the pressure further?

I would agree that it would be a good idea to add that gauge, that is suggested, to determine if there are any detrimental pressure spikes.
 
Thanks all. I took the water pressure reading from a hose that was connected to the water line of the house from a gauge just like Frodo posted. I don't think we have any filters or water softeners. I guess my next question would be where would I go to look to see if we do have a pressure regulator? At the meter? I will have to ask my Mom where the meter is located.
 
Bofa said:
Thanks all. I took the water pressure reading from a hose that was connected to the water line of the house from a gauge just like Frodo posted. I don't think we have any filters or water softeners. I guess my next question would be where would I go to look to see if we do have a pressure regulator? At the meter? I will have to ask my Mom where the meter is located.
Click to expand...
Did you not understand what I was trying to establish?
For example pressure gauge location relative to anything else, like that backflow preventer.
And answers to questions 1 and 2.???

Do you have another location within the house, preferably in the basement, where you can test the pressure? For example washing machine hose connection or water heater drain or any hose connection.

Edit On my computer I see you're in So. California, so likely no basement.
 
Last edited:
Enjoy the 75 psi. Shouldn't be a problem under most circumstances.
 
Diehard said:
Did you not understand what I was trying to establish?
For example pressure gauge location relative to anything else, like that backflow preventer.
And answers to questions 1 and 2.???

Do you have another location within the house, preferably in the basement, where you can test the pressure? For example washing machine hose connection or water heater drain or any hose connection.

Edit On my computer I see you're in So. California, so likely no basement.
Click to expand...
Diehard,

#1. It seems as though the water pressure inside the house is very strong. When I take a shower, I have to actually reduce the pressure coming out of the shower head because it is so strong.

#2. I don’t know what the backflow preventer is feeding. I would assume the house?

#3. I took the pressure reading from the hose just outside the laundry room.
 
To all,

Merry Christmas. It looks as though there is no pressure regulator at the water main that is out by the sidewalk. Next question, is should I have a plumber install one? I see some say 75 psi is ok...just want to make sure because the water pressure while taking a shower is quite strong. Please see pics attached if the water main. Am I missing something here? Thanks in advance
 

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Diehard,

I tested a hose bib on the property, diagonal and furthest away from the water meter. It read 70 psi. FYI. Do you think I need to have a pressure regulator installed?
 
How about the pressure at a washing machine hose bib or even the drain valve on a water heater tank? Something inside the house.

So you can't confirm what that backflow preventer is for? Although that type is sometimes used on an irrigation system, it is not the typical type used. Do you happen to have well water on your property in addition to the public water supply?

FYI....The plumbing codes allow up to 80 psi before a Pressure Reducing Valve(PRV) is required.
The shower heads are typically limited to 2.5 gpm maximum at 80 psi.

If you're not experiencing any ill effects of high water pressure, such as water hammer, or relief valves opening occasionally and such, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with 75 psi. We have yet to establish what the actual pressure is in the house.
 
frodo said:
most likely that is the water to the sprinkler system

70 psi is border line high. if it were my house i would screw a tattletale test gauge on a hose bib
the red arrow will record the highest pressure the gauge sees
you can then tell if the pressure spikes at night over 70 psi
if it does. then you install a pressure reducing valve. at the meter
and an expansion tank on the water heater

View attachment 22695
Click to expand...

Bofa said:
Thanks all. I took the water pressure reading from a hose that was connected to the water line of the house from a gauge just like Frodo posted. I don't think we have any filters or water softeners. I guess my next question would be where would I go to look to see if we do have a pressure regulator? At the meter? I will have to ask my Mom where the meter is located.
Click to expand...

If you used a test gauge like I posted
then was there a spike in the water pressure in a 24 hour period?
Please answer the question
If no spike, then you do not need a PRV with 70 psi
If you spiked over 80. then you need a PRV

The image's you show is a meter box, and a meter, with a curb stop and a blue tracer wire

TYPICALLY. the backflow preventer you show is for a sprinkler
DOES YOUR MOM have a Sprinkler system?
please answer the question

As to the location of a PRV. It would be installed AFTER the tee for the back flow preventor
you WANT higher pressure at the sprinkler heads
and you want to lower pressure into the house
 
frodo said:
If you used a test gauge like I posted
then was there a spike in the water pressure in a 24 hour period?
Please answer the question
If no spike, then you do not need a PRV with 70 psi
If you spiked over 80. then you need a PRV

The image's you show is a meter box, and a meter, with a curb stop and a blue tracer wire

TYPICALLY. the backflow preventer you show is for a sprinkler
DOES YOUR MOM have a Sprinkler system?
please answer the question

As to the location of a PRV. It would be installed AFTER the tee for the back flow preventor
you WANT higher pressure at the sprinkler heads
and you want to lower pressure into the house
Click to expand...
Frodo,

I do not have a tattletale test gauge to test the highest 24 water pressure. I will have to get one and test it out in the next couple days. Yes, my mom has a sprinkler system. Thanks in advance and I’ll need to get one of those test gauges.
 
Diehard said:
How about the pressure at a washing machine hose bib or even the drain valve on a water heater tank? Something inside the house.

So you can't confirm what that backflow preventer is for? Although that type is sometimes used on an irrigation system, it is not the typical type used. Do you happen to have well water on your property in addition to the public water supply?

FYI....The plumbing codes allow up to 80 psi before a Pressure Reducing Valve(PRV) is required.
The shower heads are typically limited to 2.5 gpm maximum at 80 psi.

If you're not experiencing any ill effects of high water pressure, such as water hammer, or relief valves opening occasionally and such, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with 75 psi. We have yet to establish what the actual pressure is in the house.
Click to expand...
Diehard,

is there an easier place for me to test the water pressure inside the house? If I do it at the washing machine, a ton of water will leak out. I’m not sure how to do it at the hot water tank? I think I’ll get a tattletale test valve like Frodo is saying.
 
Bofa said:
Diehard,

is there an easier place for me to test the water pressure inside the house? If I do it at the washing machine, a ton of water will leak out. I’m not sure how to do it at the hot water tank? I think I’ll get a tattletale test valve like Frodo is saying.
Click to expand...
Btw there are no wells here.
 
To test water pressure at the water heater, just install a gauge on the water heater drain valve.

It is a good idea to first drain about twenty gallons or so from the drain valve, to remove sediment that can clog the pressure gauge.

Of course, once the pressure gauge is installed, the drain valve will need to be opened.
 
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