A pressure regulator becomes necessary when the water pressure in your home exceeds around 80 to 85 PSI. Technically, it’s not always required, but most plumbing manufacturers state in their warranties that their fixtures and appliances need to operate under 60 PSI. If your pressure is running higher than that, it’s time to take a serious look at installing a regulator.
High water pressure may seem harmless, but over time, it puts stress on your pipes, fixtures, and appliances. A properly working pressure regulator keeps that pressure in check, protecting the plumbing system as a whole.
Pressure regulators usually last about ten years or more. They’re not something that needs constant replacement, but like anything with moving parts, they wear down over time. Water quality and usage are the biggest factors that impact their lifespan. In homes with high mineral content or heavy water use, they may wear out faster.
If a regulator is newer and something odd happens (a pressure spike or a one-time issue) repair might make sense. But once it’s around the ten-year mark, the cost of repair versus replacement usually leans toward just putting in a new one. It’s more cost effective in the long run.
If a pressure regulator starts to fail, you’ll notice it. Elevated water pressure is the most obvious sign. You might see a valve on your water heater leaking. That’s a classic symptom. You could also end up with burst hoses or other issues tied to excess pressure in the system.
These problems might seem like isolated incidents, but they’re usually connected. If pressure is too high, things start to wear out faster or fail outright.
