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Written By: Joseph Sampedro
Dec. 16, 2025
It’s a scenario that plays out in homes more often than you’d think. You turn on the kitchen sink to wash some vegetables, and the water flows out in a sad, weak stream. Annoying, but manageable. Then, someone upstairs decides to hop in the shower, and suddenly, your already weak stream dwindles to a mere trickle, or worse, disappears completely. If this sounds familiar, you’re not just dealing with a minor inconvenience; you're facing a classic plumbing mystery that points to a specific, critical component in your system.
This exact situation is what led a recent client to call us. They were frustrated with inconsistent water pressure that made simple daily tasks a challenge. One faucet had low pressure, and using a second one would "steal" all the water from the first. This is more than just an annoyance; it's a clear signal that your home's plumbing is struggling. Our team headed out to diagnose the problem and restore balance to their home's water flow.
Diagnosing the Pressure Problem
When we arrived at the residence, the homeowners described the classic symptoms. A shower would turn scalding hot or ice cold when a toilet was flushed. The washing machine took forever to fill. Trying to run the dishwasher while someone washed their hands was a game of chance.
The most telling sign was the complete loss of water at one fixture when another was activated. This indicates that the volume of water entering the house is insufficient to meet the demand. Think of it like trying to drink a thick milkshake through a very narrow straw; you can only get so much at once, no matter how hard you try. In a plumbing system, this "narrow straw" is often a sign of a blockage or a failing component.
Our first step in any diagnostic is to get a baseline reading of the home's water pressure. We connected our pressure gauge to an outdoor hose bib, right where the water supply enters the house. The reading was surprisingly high: 95 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).
This is where experience comes in. To a homeowner, seeing a high number like 95 PSI might seem like a good thing. More pressure, right? However, municipal water pressure is often delivered at very high levels, which can damage your pipes, fittings, and appliances over time. Most residential plumbing systems are designed to operate safely and efficiently at a pressure between 50 and 75 PSI. A reading this high is actually a red flag.
The paradox of having a high pressure reading at the source but experiencing low pressure at the faucets was the key to solving this puzzle. It told us that the high-pressure water from the city was not making its way into the home's plumbing system correctly.
Pinpointing the Culprit – The PRV
The component responsible for taming high municipal water pressure is the Pressure Reducing Valve, or PRV. This bell-shaped valve is typically installed on the main water line shortly after the water meter. Its job is simple but crucial: it automatically reduces the high pressure from the city's main to a lower, safer, and more consistent pressure for your home.
When a PRV is working correctly, it acts as a gatekeeper, ensuring a steady flow at a preset pressure. However, like any mechanical part, PRVs can wear out, get clogged with sediment, or simply fail over time.
In this case, the PRV was the prime suspect. The high gauge reading of 95 PSI showed us the pressure before the valve. The weak flow inside the house showed us the pressure after the valve. The massive discrepancy between the two confirmed our diagnosis: the PRV had failed. It was stuck in a nearly closed position, creating a severe bottleneck that restricted the volume of water entering the home. This is why using a second faucet caused the first one to lose all its water—there simply wasn't enough volume getting past the faulty valve to supply both at once.
The Solution: A Professional PRV Replacement
Once we identified the faulty PRV, we presented our findings to the homeowner and proceeded with the replacement. This isn't just a simple swap; it requires precision, the right tools, and adherence to plumbing codes to ensure a safe, leak-free installation.
Our process included:
Shutting Off the Main Water Supply: The first and most important step is to shut off the water to the entire house to prevent flooding.
Removing the Old Valve: We carefully cut out the old, failed PRV. In this case, the surrounding components and sections of copper pipe also showed signs of age and corrosion, so we planned to replace them as well to ensure the long-term integrity of the system.
Preparing the New Pipes: We measured and cut new sections of copper pipe to fit the space perfectly. The ends of the pipes were meticulously cleaned and deburred to prepare them for a solid connection.
Soldering the Connections: This is where craftsmanship is key. Using a torch, we expertly soldered the new copper pipes and fittings. Soldering, also known as "sweating" a pipe, creates a permanent, watertight seal by melting a filler metal (solder) into the joint between the pipe and the fitting. This technique requires skill to heat the joint evenly and ensure the solder flows completely around the connection for a leak-proof bond.
Installing the New PRV: With the new pipes in place, we installed the brand-new Pressure Reducing Valve, ensuring all connections were properly tightened and oriented correctly. The new PRV also included integrated pressure gauges, allowing for easy monitoring and adjustment in the future.
Restoring a Healthy Flow
With the new PRV and its components securely installed, the moment of truth arrived. We slowly turned the main water supply back on, carefully checking for any leaks around our new connections. Everything was dry and secure.
Next, we calibrated the new valve. Using the built-in gauge, we adjusted the PRV to a safe and robust 70 PSI. This pressure is the sweet spot—strong enough to provide a satisfying shower and run multiple appliances, but safe enough to protect the plumbing system from stress and premature wear.
We then went inside the house with the homeowner and tested the faucets. The difference was immediate and dramatic. The kitchen sink flowed with a strong, steady stream. We turned on the shower upstairs, and the kitchen faucet didn't flinch. The pressure was consistent, powerful, and balanced throughout the entire home. The puzzle was solved, and the frustrating water pressure issues were a thing of the past.
Don't Live with Low Pressure
A faulty PRV is a common but often misdiagnosed plumbing problem. It can lead to years of frustratingly weak showers and inefficient appliances. If you're experiencing inconsistent water flow, a sudden drop in pressure, or faucets that can't seem to work at the same time, don't just learn to live with it. These are signs that your plumbing system needs professional attention.
Our team has the diagnostic tools and technical expertise to pinpoint the exact cause of your water pressure problems and implement a lasting solution. If you ever find yourself with this water pressure issue, feel free to give us a call. We'll restore your home's flow and bring your plumbing back to perfect health.
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