Higher Than Usual Water Pressure - Changing a Pressure Reducing Valve

There are a couple of reasons why the water pressure in your home might suddenly be much stronger than it used to be. This video shows you how to pinpoint the problem, and change out a faulty pressure reducing valve (PRV)

This features the 3/4 inch Watts Pressure Reducing Valve, item number LF25AUB-Z3:

A water pressure gauge is essential:

A couple of other handy tools for this project (and others around the house):

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[ronaldh.yasuda]

I think you should use two wrenches when removing a plumbing item, i.e. valves, water regulator etc. One to hold the item and one to remove the nut. That way you won't turn or break the pipe further down the line while you remove the item, using two wrenches will also give you more leverage when replacing the item and it will keep the replacement part in the right orientation when replacing the item. Did you try adjusting the pressure before replacing the water pressure regulator? Turning the adjusting screw could have saved you time, money and effort. Another suggestion is to use a wrench with a longer handle also for more leverage.

[sandilynn]

Just got a quote for of $650 to replace the pressure valve. You have me the confidence to attempt this with my sons muscles

[robdisco]

You can install in any direction; however, the two caps below the bell houseing (at the top in your finished "repair") is a strainer and the other is a main drain. You could have loosened the drain cap to drain the line. It is much easier to clean the strainer when its mounted in the down postion. You could have merely rebuilt the PRV with a kit ( new spring, gaskets, strainer and washers) and left the unit in place. Good on ya for doing it yourself!

[superwealthy]

A video with too much stress work. But you take it easy and make it fun. You could be raised up in the pretty good environment so you're so confident and positive! I admire you.

[tonyrohers]

As a fellow plumber in the Apprenticeship program, Good Job.

[nomiharper]

Wow! You’re so amazing and inspirational. I’ve had my water pressure checked because I have stronger water pressure than I need and the good news is, I’m safe. I learned when you live at the bottom of a hill, the water pressure increases as the water flows down the street.

[alexrivas]

Using 2 wrenches, backup wrench, both pointing opposite ways helps with the leverage to screw out the valve.
Great video!

[antoinegibson]

Thank you for the very informative step by step video!

I’m sure you have found some of the other comments helpful (possible adjustments, use two wrenches, etc).

Still exactly the video I was looking for. Thank you for keeping it simple!

[ljfloyd]

You posted this just at the right time because I just discovered I need to replace mine.

[richardh]

You saved me alot of heartache. I'll post again after I test and change.I definitely like the straight to the point video. 👍

[johnki]

I had a laugh the way you man handled that stubborn PRV. Very determined to get the job done, show no mercy, never give up. I think I'll subscribe, can't wait to see what you'll tackle next 😉

[fje]

Need to put a wrench on the copper fitting to the right of the PR valve when you try to remove it. It will come off easier, and you won't run the risk of damaging the copper pipes on the right side of the PR valve. Great video!

[chriswerth]

Thanks for your video. I'm a DIYer by nature, but never tried soldering copper water lines. I got quotes of $425-$675. Didn't even notice until I watched your video that the valve is threaded, not soldered right on. So figured I could give it a try. The valve I bought looks the same as yours but when I got it home I saw they are made differently. So the existing threaded copper connector would not work. But for anyone else watching and reading and wanting to try yourself, I found a really easy solution. Home Depot sells brass Sharkbite connectors that push onto the copper line and have male threads on the other end. I bought a copper tube cutter for $15, cut the line on both sides so the old valve came completely off. I had a regular Sharkbite (about 3" long) on the IN side, pushed it onto the copper line. I got another 3/4" Sharkbite male slip adapter- which is about 6". The longer slip version gives you several inches of flexibility inside. I threaded onto the valve on the OUT side and pushed onto copper line until the other IN side lined up, then tightened the large nut. There was a very little leak at first but just had to tighten all the connections more than I thought. The great thing is Sharkbites can be taken off if needed.

[CutterElfquest]

The only thing that I can add, make sure to support that pipe on the right. You don’t want to twist and torque on one side and let that soldered copper pipe take the torsion. Otherwise, you saved yourself $500 to $800. Good video!!

[matthewshoe]

Great video! You gave me the confidence to go ahead with a project that's been waiting for me to start for months. I like to DIY, but am occasionally dyslexic and freeze up on 'righty-tighty'. 😅😅Showing the direction you go on all the nuts is very helpful. I also can sympathize with your level of swearing-I can't complete anything without a few blue streaks here and there. Keep up the good work! *Also, I think it's fine you changed out the whole thing, rebuilding it is ridiculous: most people never change this thing until it's rusted out and failing.

[chj]

My house has the same situation. The water hose outside of my house shows ~90 psi, whereas my hot water tank pipe (behind the water pressure reduction valve) has much lower. I used the outside water hose to test the water pressure while adjusting the in-door water pressure reduction valve, the pressure gauge shows no difference. (I was confused) Now I understand. Thanks for this shared video.

[edthompson]

This was a pleasant and refreshing video. I certainly have a better understanding of a PRV.

[scott]

Thank you, I just replaced mine, this video helped alot. I used 2 wrenches like the comments suggested but all in all great video. Thank you!

[MakeCentsTrucking]

Good video! Now to change mine out. Thanks for this video 👊

[nickbalandiat]

Good job! I had one of these replaced and the plumber had to come BACK to replace it the next day since I was getting a sound from my pipes that sounded like a ships horn sound. Hopefully it works now! But I was impressed with your work! Congratulations!