Plumbing and Piping - Loud Pressure Reducing Valve
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blorzoga
03-21-06, 12:46 PM
Can someone explain this noise...I have 1/2 inch water line coming into the house..the first valve it goes through has a slow leak (~1 gal per week), the pipe then goes into a pressure reducing valve. This pressure reducing valve lets out a fairly loud squeal when enough water is requested (washer, bathtub, etc). I also get a pressure surge when I open a faucet, which then dissapates. Could the slow leak be causing the noise and surge? Could there be a problem with the pressure valve? Thanks for your input.
steve_gro
03-21-06, 04:23 PM
How old is the PRV? It may be letting you know that it's time for a new one. The pressure surge is not a good sign. If it's fairly old, you might start thinking about a replacement, and that might be a good time to fix the leak.
bolide
03-22-06, 01:01 PM
I have 1/2 inch water line coming into the house..
So small!
> the first valve it goes through has a slow leak (~1 gal per week),
If you can see it, it is more than 1 gal/wk.
> This pressure reducing valve lets out a fairly loud squeal when enough
> water is requested (washer, bathtub, etc).
It is worn.
> I also get a pressure surge when I open a faucet, which then dissipates.
Check your static pressure. I bet the PRV has an internal leak.
> Could the slow leak [in the valve] be causing the noise and surge?
No way. Not even a fast leak would do this.
> Could there be a problem with the pressure valve?
Yes. You probably need to rebuild or replace it.
Your 1/2" line (if you got that correct) is too small and may mean excessive speed of water entering the PRV during heavy use.
You should have as much 3/4" or 1" waterline as possible ahead of the PRV.
So small!
> the first valve it goes through has a slow leak (~1 gal per week),
If you can see it, it is more than 1 gal/wk.
> This pressure reducing valve lets out a fairly loud squeal when enough
> water is requested (washer, bathtub, etc).
It is worn.
> I also get a pressure surge when I open a faucet, which then dissipates.
Check your static pressure. I bet the PRV has an internal leak.
> Could the slow leak [in the valve] be causing the noise and surge?
No way. Not even a fast leak would do this.
> Could there be a problem with the pressure valve?
Yes. You probably need to rebuild or replace it.
Your 1/2" line (if you got that correct) is too small and may mean excessive speed of water entering the PRV during heavy use.
You should have as much 3/4" or 1" waterline as possible ahead of the PRV.