ResidentialWater pressure
Water Pressure Problems and PRV Repair
Water pressure that is too high is as much of a problem as pressure that is too low. A PRV holds it at a level your taps and appliances can live with.
Close-up of a silver adjustable wrench in a colorful toolbox.
- Valve located, tested and replaced at the right spot
- Pressure measured before and after the work
- Isolation kept short so the household keeps water
- Old and new parts shown to you before we leave
- Licensing details confirmed when you call
- Residential
- Commercial
- Markham & York Region
How the job runs
- Pipes bang when taps close quickly.
- Toilet fill valves hiss or fail often.
- The water heater relief valve drips.
- Faucet aerators spray instead of streaming.
- Or on the other side: weak flow everywhere in the house.
What's included on this job
What we open
The main valve, the PRV body just after it, and a hose bib or laundry tap for a gauge.
What we bring
Pressure gauge, PRV rebuild kits, and union fittings.
What we replace
The PRV cartridge or the whole valve, and an expansion tank where needed.
How we prove it
Pressure checked with the house quiet and again with several taps running.
Signs you need this
- Taps that hammer when they close
- Toilets that run after filling
- Relief valve on the heater dripping
- Very weak pressure everywhere
Why pressure varies in Markham
Pressure depends on how far your house sits below the water tower or reservoir serving your zone and on the size of the mains. Some homes, especially in lower-lying parts of the city, receive pressure well above the 50 to 70 psi most fixtures prefer. Many newer homes have a PRV near the main shut-off. Older homes may not, or may have one that has worn out after years of service.
How we diagnose it
- A gauge goes on an outdoor tap or the laundry faucet to read the resting pressure.
- We inspect any PRV, plus the small expansion tank beside the heater.
- We look for partly closed valves, clogged filters and old galvanized pipe if pressure is low.
Repair or replacement
A PRV has a spring and diaphragm that wear out. Some can be rebuilt; others are replaced. We set the new valve to a safe pressure and recheck it. If your system is closed by a check valve or backflow preventer, we make sure an expansion tank is in place so pressure does not spike as water heats.
From the van: A pressure gauge for a hose bib costs little at a hardware store. A reading over 80 psi is worth a call.
Low pressure fixes
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Failed PRV stuck partly closed | Replace or adjust |
| Clogged aerators or showerheads | Clean or replace |
| Old galvanized pipe | Replace sections or repipe |
| Service line issue | Inspect and repair |
Too much pressure wears every valve in the house. Too little starts at the valve meant to control it.
What changes the cost
Valve size, pipe material and access near the main affect price.
Call before it gets worse
High pressure shortens the life of every fixture and appliance on the line.