The water pressure regulator is a lifesaver when you want to configure the water pressure in your house, enjoy a satisfying bath and save your appliances from damage. But what happens when the pressure regulator itself is leaking?
The service life of a water pressure regulator is 10-15 years, but with good maintenance, it may last up to 20 years. However, some people find their water regulators malfunctioning after three years too.
Don’t worry, we have got the right guide for you to fix this hero of a machine before your water supply starts getting affected all over the house.
Table of Contents
- Signs That Your Water Pressure Regulator Is Leaking
- Steps To Repair Your Leaking Water Pressure Regulator
- FAQs – Why Is My Water Pressure Regulator Leaking
- There, Your Water Pressure Regulator Isn’t Leaking Anymore!
Signs That Your Water Pressure Regulator Is Leaking
The water pressure regulator might leak water on the floor of your residence, or leak water into the water supply system going into your house – which will ultimately increase water pressure. If the regulator is over a puddle of water, you will know that it is time to replace it.
But for an internal leak, you will have to observe the measurement on the regulator dial, which will show the high water pressure resulting from the leak. The normal water pressure range is kept within 60 PSI by the water pressure regulator – if it crosses 80 PSI, you know that it is a cause for alarm. Nonetheless, the regulator will need repair and replacement in both cases.
High Water Pressure Consequences From Internal Leakage
High water pressure can cause plumbing leakages – which is a sign that the regulator is leaking internally. If you see faucets leaking around the house even when they are turned off, the high water pressure has probably damaged the gasket in the faucets. It is time to replace the water pressure regulator.
Low Water Pressure
If you didn’t notice the water pressure regulator leaking externally, you will know that it is time to replace it when you notice low water pressure around the house. The pressure-reducing valve in the regulator is failing to do its job, so a replacement is required, however, if you find the low water pressure problems only with hot water supply valves, the water heater might be malfunctioning.
Steps To Repair Your Leaking Water Pressure Regulator
Remove The Water Pressure Regulator
- Turn off the main water supply to the house.
- Turn on all the faucets in the house to drain all of the water from the piping system. This will help avoid any leaks when the regulator is being replaced.
- Take a pipe wrench and pull out the water regulator from the piping system.
Examine The Water Pressure Regulator
Inside the water pressure unit, you will find some gaskets, a spring, and a moveable shaft. The gaskets form an air-tight cover against the metallic parts of the unit and help the water pressure regulator in doing its job. So if the unit is leaking, the gaskets are probably worn out.
Examine the gaskets and look for any pits or cracks. If you find the rubber gaskets brittle and easily breakable, they have reached their expiration and need to be replaced immediately to restore function to the water pressure regulator.
Replace The Gaskets
The next step is to head to a local plumbing store and buy a replacement gasket for your water pressure regulator. If you are not sure about the size, buy multiple gaskets of varying sizes and fit each in the pressure regulator to find the right one. Sounds expensive? Not as expensive as a pressure regulator repair kit.
Once you have fitted the right gasket in the pressure regulator, put the regulator back on the pipe and secure them together tightly with Teflon tape.
FAQs – Why Is My Water Pressure Regulator Leaking
How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Water Pressure Regulator?
If you want to turn this into a DIY project, the parts will cost around $50, and seeking professional help will cost around $250-$350.
What Happens When The Water Pressure Regulator Goes Bad?
If the water pressure regulator goes bad, you will experience irregular water pressure all over the house. In case of an internal leak, you will experience high water pressure and its consequences on appliances and piping.
There, Your Water Pressure Regulator Isn’t Leaking Anymore!
Repairing or replacing a water pressure regulator is not everyone’s cup of tea. If the above steps did not work and your pressure regulator is leaking still, we recommend seeking professional help. Look for plumbing companies that have spent at least 20-30 years in the industry, so that they fix your regulator leak quickly and sustainably.