High water pressure might sound like a good thing,
but when it comes to a commercial plumbing system, too much pressure can create expensive problems.
Leaking faucets, failing valves, damaged fixtures, and recurring plumbing leaks can sometimes be symptoms of excessive or fluctuating water pressure. For some businesses, a pressure-reducing valve can help protect the plumbing system—but that does not mean every commercial property needs one.
The right answer depends on the building, its water demand, and the pressure coming into the property.What Is a Pressure-Reducing Valve?
A pressure-reducing valve, often called a PRV, regulates the pressure of water entering a plumbing system.
Its job is relatively simple: when the incoming municipal water pressure is higher than the building’s plumbing should be subjected to, the valve reduces it to a more appropriate level.
Pressure-reducing valves are common in residential plumbing, but they can also play an important role in commercial properties.
Commercial plumbing systems vary enormously. A small retail suite or restaurant has very different water demands from a large industrial facility, hotel, or multi-story building. Some large facilities may even need pumps to increase water pressure rather than equipment to reduce it.
That is why there is no one-size-fits-all answer.Water Pressure Can Change Throughout the Day
One thing business owners may not realize is that water pressure coming into a property does not necessarily remain constant.
Imagine a small commercial property located near several large industrial users.
During business hours, those neighboring facilities may be consuming large amounts of water. Once operations slow down at the end of the workday, that demand can suddenly decrease. When it does, water pressure in the surrounding system can rise.
Those pressure changes can put additional stress on plumbing components.
As Tim Clendaniel explains, the concern is not necessarily just consistently high pressure. Sudden increases in pressure can also take a toll on the valves, seals, fixtures, and other components throughout a plumbing system.What Can Excessive Water Pressure Damage?
Many everyday plumbing fixtures contain relatively small internal components made from materials such as rubber and plastic.
Those components are designed to operate within appropriate pressure conditions. When they are continually exposed to excessive pressure—or repeated pressure fluctuations—they may wear out more quickly.
Problems can include:
- Faucets or sinks that begin leaking
- Fixture valves that fail prematurely
- Leaks developing in water piping
- Recurring plumbing repairs without an obvious cause
- Existing pressure-reducing valves that stop regulating pressure properly
A leaking faucet may seem like a minor maintenance problem. But when multiple fixtures begin developing similar problems, it may be worth looking beyond the individual fixture and checking what is happening with the building’s water pressure.Pressure-Reducing Valves Do Not Last Forever.
Even if a commercial building already has a pressure-reducing valve, that does not necessarily mean the pressure is being properly controlled.
Like other mechanical plumbing components, PRVs can wear out and eventually fail.
That can make water-pressure problems especially easy to overlook. A property owner or facility manager may assume the building is protected because a pressure regulator is installed, while the valve may no longer be doing its job properly.
Testing the actual pressure can help determine what is happening.How Does a Plumber Check Water Pressure?
One of the simplest ways to begin diagnosing a pressure problem is with a water-pressure test.
A plumber can connect a pressure gauge to an appropriate location in the plumbing system—often a hose bib or another suitable connection—and measure the pressure in the building.
Depending on the issue, pressure may need to be evaluated under different operating conditions rather than relying on a single quick reading.
That information helps a plumber determine whether pressure is contributing to leaks or fixture failures and whether the building could benefit from a new or replacement pressure-reducing valve.Does Every Business Need a Pressure-Reducing Valve?
No.
Some commercial buildings may already receive appropriate water pressure. Others may have operating requirements that make their plumbing systems much more complex.
The important thing is to diagnose the actual conditions at the property rather than assuming a pressure-reducing valve is automatically the solution.
A qualified commercial plumber can evaluate the building, test the water pressure, inspect the existing plumbing system, and recommend what makes sense for that particular property.Signs It May Be Time to Have Your Water Pressure Checked.
If you own or manage a commercial property, it may be worth checking the building’s water pressure when you begin noticing repeated plumbing problems such as leaking fixtures, failing valves, or unexplained leaks in the piping.
Pressure testing can also be useful when an existing PRV is older or suspected of failing.
Finding the underlying cause is usually better than repeatedly repairing the symptoms.Commercial Plumbing Help in the Phoenix Area
At Clendaniel Plumbing, we work with commercial property owners, businesses, restaurants, property managers, and other facilities throughout the Phoenix area.
If your building is experiencing recurring leaks or fixture problems, water pressure may be one of the things worth investigating.
Our goal is not simply to replace a part. We evaluate the plumbing system, identify what is causing the problem, and recommend the repair or solution that makes sense for the property.
Concerned about the water pressure in your commercial building? Contact Clendaniel Plumbing to schedule a professional evaluation.