Plano’s PRV Valve Replacement Experts
Your home’s plumbing system is a complex but critical network, and at its heart lies a key component: the pressure reducing valve (PRV). This essential device protects your pipes, appliances, and even your wallet by carefully regulating the incoming water pressure from Plano.
Like any hardworking tool, though, PRVs have a limited lifespan, and as they age, they can become susceptible to wear and tear, leading to a range of issues, from low/high water pressure and inconsistent pressure fluctuations to even hidden leaks lurking in your home.
Don’t wait until disaster strikes—call Earl’s Plumbing today. Our team is highly skilled and qualified to replace your PRV and get your home back in working order. Contact us today for a free estimate and consultation!
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Does My Home Have a PRV?
PRVs are common in both Collin and Denton County North Texas suburbs, and are found in a majority of homes in Frisco, McKinney, Little Elm, and Prosper. However, we see them sporadically throughout Plano, primarily along both sides of the North Dallas Tollway, along Custer Road and in the far East Plano area around Oak Point Park.
Because many homes in Plano were built before PRVs were commonplace and/or code required, the city will partially supplement the cost of adding pressure reducing valves with up to $500 rebates in certain areas. For more information and to learn if your address qualifies, use this Plano interactive map. You can also learn more about Plano’s PRV rebate details and requirements by downloading this PDF.
PRV Frequently Asked Questions: Earl’s Has the Answers
At Earl’s Plumbing, we strive to be the most knowledgeable plumbers in Plano, TX. We’ve compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions, giving you the answers you need to understand PRVs and if Earl’s services are right for you. If you don’t see your question below, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
A PRV reduces the likelihood of pressure-induced leaks and/or ruptured water lines that can cause catastrophic damage—as well as the weird phenomenon known as “water hammer.”
There are two reasons for this increase in pressure. The first is to serve homes with larger square footage. The other is so that residents and businesses don’t experience a noticeable pressure decrease during times of high demand, e.g., day and night.
Normal or ideal water pressure is usually around 75-80 PSI. Anything above 85 PSI is too much pressure for the house and the various fixtures and/or appliances to handle. There are some neighborhoods in Plano (North along 121 and northwest along the NDT) where the homes exceed 85 PSI. In this instance, you may not have a PRV but need one, and you may be eligible for a $500 rebate through the city.
If you can locate the main shut-off valve of your home, which is usually located to the left or right of the double cleanout, then the PRV will be nearby or directly next to the valve.
The double cleanouts are those two white pipes that are sticking up out of the flower bed. They allow plumbers easy access to your main sewer line going under the home and to the street if there’s a clog.
Usually, in an attempt to avoid additional digging, most of the new construction plumbers would often install the main water line in that same excavated trench. Sometimes we have to use locating equipment to find these buried water lines and then exploratory digging to find the PRV (and shut off the flow).
Around 2014-2015, new home builders gradually began to relocate PRVs, and the main shut-off valves into garages, utility closets, and sometimes the laundry rooms. By 2016-2017, the practice of installing these two critical devices outside, buried underground, became nonexistent.
In all homes currently under construction, the PRV and shut-off valve are typically located inside the wall behind an access panel or fabricated cabinet door. This makes everything very accessible, which is important for yearly adjustments and in the event of an emergency water leak.
The longevity of your PRV depends on environmental conditions, meaning if the valve box that encases the PRV is packed with years of mud and wet clay, then its lifespan will be limited.
A pressure reducing valve can fail in a handful of different ways. At Earl’s, we have simple tests that we can perform to be conclusive, but usually we can diagnose this issue over the phone and then validate it upon arrival for the service call. Below are some of the most common reasons a PRV might fail:
- Low water pressure
- Water pipe noises
- Mystery water leak
- Continuous or constant leaks & drips
- Collapsed PRV/collapsed valve
Having or installing a PRV creates what we plumbers refer to as a “closed system.” Without getting too technical, just know that when this code requirement was adopted around 2017, thermal expansion tanks were then required to be installed when a storage tank hot water heater was present.
If you have a traditional storage-tank water heater(s), then you must also have an expansion tank. In contrast, an expansion tank is NOT required for a home with a tankless water heater. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to have one if excessive water pressure is common in your area.
Because a thermal expansion tank has a limited life expectancy, around 5 to 7 years, it must be replaced periodically. We also need to inspect the age and condition of your water heater. Typically, if your water heater is more than 12 years old, Earl’s will not be able to add the expansion tank without replacing the water heater. This is to ensure we avoid any major risks to damaging your property.
These quote ranges are based on the replies to questions answered by the homeowner, along with our experience in certain Plano neighborhoods.
Plano Loves Earl’s PRV Service
