Water pressure regulator DIY repair

In detail: do-it-yourself water pressure regulator repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

1. - It is recommended to check the setting pressure, the response speed and the accuracy of maintaining the pressure by the regulator at monthly intervals. The operation of the pressure regulator is checked by changing the flow rate of water passing through it - by smoothly closing the valve installed on the same pipeline, while monitoring the pressure deviation at the point where the pulse is taken.

2. - At intervals of once every half a year, the impulse selection line should be cleaned. To do this, the section where the pressure regulator is installed should be turned off, drained, and the impulse line should be blown out, having previously disconnected it from the regulator and the pipeline.

3. - The strainer upstream of the pressure regulator is cleaned as it gets dirty. The clogging of the filter is determined by the readings of the pressure gauges provided before and after it, comparing the actual pressure drop across the filter with the pressure drop across the clean filter.

Repair of the water pressure regulator may be required if, during operation or maintenance, a deviation of the pressure at the point where the impulse is taken from the set value was detected.

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  • Basil
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  • Registered: 2013-03-18
  • Posts: 114

Good day! I really need advice! How can you disassemble the water pressure regulator? Water is leaking, and I want to figure out what's the matter. I was able to unscrew the side caps, but then I couldn't. The piston itself cannot be reached.
Attaching photo.

Video (click to play).

How to disassemble the water pressure regulator
regulator1.jpg 2.33 kb, 4379 downloads since 2013-03-26

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  • Brick
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  • Registered: 2012-11-01
  • Posts: 483

Oh, I had such a Chinese miracle, I myself suffered with it. I can even guess that water is leaking, most likely from a cold water riser. Right? Nothing leaks on hot water, and if the gearboxes are changed, then the one that leaked on cold water does not flow on hot water, but the one that flows from hot water to cold water, and how. Removing the side covers is not a problem, plumbers usually put them on flax + sealant, now only warm them up with a hairdryer and turn them hot. On the right, I wound 2 turns of Fuma under the O-ring of this piston, additionally polished the inner surface with an engraver with Anti-scratch. After that, within six months, everything is fine, nothing flows, although our water is regularly turned off (new building).

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  • Basil
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  • Registered: 2013-03-18
  • Posts: 114

H'm. It is not very clear why this is so, but I will try to do the same. Indeed, only cold water drips. And what is Anti-scratch?

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  • Brick
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Special grinding paste for automobiles. It can be bought without any problems at any auto chemical store. Perhaps, you can use other means, I came across just that. I think it can be successfully replaced with any grinding paste.

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  • Santa
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  • Registered: 2013-03-18
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Judging by the photo, there are no scratches, which means that you did not try so hard to unscrew it. You disassemble more boldly, do not hesitate)). Dripping from the gearboxes is normal, it is provided by the design. In the sense that dripping indicates that the seals are worn out. If no holes were left for atmospheric air, then the water that would have got on top of the piston with the network pressure, the reducer would have stopped altogether, and this can be much more dangerous than just undermining.

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Image - Water pressure regulator DIY repair


Image - Water pressure regulator DIY repair
Image - Water pressure regulator DIY repair
Image - Water pressure regulator DIY repair

Good day!
Unfortunately, I don't know exactly what the device is called, so I am attaching a photo.
The photo shows a red arrow on a metal cap with a 1.5 mm hole in the middle.
Recently, water began to drip from the hole. I would like to know what kind of device it is, its device and how it is possible to eliminate the dripping of water.
Thanks in advance for your reply.

Remember how carefully we approach the choice of plumbing equipment during construction and repair, and then scrupulously comply with all manufacturers' requirements during installation. And this is natural, given the prices for plumbing and the laboriousness of its installation, as well as the desire to get reliable plumbing systems and devices that work without breakdowns. That is why it is doubly insulting when, over time, annoying breakdowns and leaks occur due to the fault of public utilities. We are talking about banal surges in water pressure in centralized water pipelines, which can not only render expensive equipment unusable, but also ruin new design repairs. The water pressure regulator (reducer) can prevent the occurrence of emergency situations.

The purpose of the WFD is to lower and stabilize the fluid pressure in engineering communications of any type. Structurally, water pressure reducers can be divided into two types:

  • with adjustment of the pressure on the section of the line to the device, if you are guided by the direction of movement of the liquid (in the language of plumbers, the regulator is "to yourself");
  • devices for stabilizing the water pressure in the branches connected to the outlet of the device (“after itself” regulator).

RVD of the first type automatically maintains the pressure in the pipeline due to the change in the flow area of ​​the valve. It keeps the valve open until a predetermined line pressure is established. Such devices are called proportional, since their bypass capacity is directly proportional to the deviation of the instantaneous parameters from the set values. Upstream type reducers are used in heating systems, pumping stations, etc.

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Upstream pressure reducers are designed for integration into pipelines of heating systems and pumping stations

In everyday life, gearboxes "after themselves" are most often used to stabilize the water pressure. This device also regulates the pressure by changing the internal section of the valve, but it works in a completely different way. When the pressure limit is exceeded, the valve partially or completely blocks the fluid flow, and when the pressure drops, it opens.

The downstream pressure devices are simple, which partly explains their high reliability. No actuators are required for operation - the valve is controlled by the energy of the liquid flow. On the side of the pressure line, the pressure of water acts on the membrane (piston) of the reducer valve, trying to close it. On the other side, a spring with adjustable stiffness is installed, the purpose of which is to set the equilibrium position of the shutter. The reduction process is made possible by changing the flow area of ​​the valve. His work can be clearly seen in the figure. The blue arrows show the direction of fluid movement. When the pressure at the inlet increases, the working fluid acts on the diaphragm, as a result of which the spring is compressed, and the valve disc moves to the seat, reducing the flow area, and, accordingly, the pressure at the outlet of the device. Decreasing the inlet head will cause the valve to open and increase fluid flow. The directions of the balancing forces are shown in the diagram in yellow and pink.

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The principle of operation of the gearbox "after itself"

The advantages of RVD are their high reliability and unpretentiousness in work. With a simple setup, the device is able to accurately maintain the specified parameters, while requiring neither energy sources nor maintenance.

Installing a water pressure reducer at the inlet makes it possible to solve several problems:

As you can see, the household regulator allows you to eliminate many harmful factors that arise when the pressure in the lines is exceeded.

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Increased pressure in the water supply increases the risk of flooding

When choosing a regulator, be sure to pay attention not only to the design of the device and its technical characteristics, but also to the material from which it is made.

Modern WFD, depending on the design, are divided into piston and diaphragm. Despite the fact that the piston practically does not wear out, gearboxes of the first type are less reliable. This is due both to the sensitivity to the purity of water (the piston can jam from dirt or sand particles), and to the possibility of corrosion of structural elements.

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Cutaway Piston Water Pressure Reducer

Membrane-type RDVs are unpretentious in maintenance, since the diaphragm divides their working space into two chambers. One of them is completely sealed from contact with water. As you probably already guessed, it is in this half that most of the gearbox parts are installed. Subject to the rules of operation, the operation of the device does not require intervention, therefore the only drawback can be considered the need for regular monitoring of the integrity of the membrane.

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The diaphragm regulator does not require maintenance and is more reliable, although it has a vulnerable part in the form of a movable diaphragm

By choosing a membrane-type regulator, you will save yourself the need to periodically clean the device.

Domestic gearboxes manufactured by the industry are designed for different inlet and outlet pressures. For example, a device that allows connection to a 15 bar line can provide output values ​​in the range of 1-4 bar. In order not to be confused in terms, the value of 1 bar is often taken equal to 1 atmosphere, although in fact 1 bar = 0.987 atm. The outlet pressure of household regulators is 0.5 to 4 atm or 1 to 6 atm. To determine which appliance you need, look at the wiring requirements for your home equipment. Most often, the manufacturer indicates them in the technical passport or a special plate installed on the rear panel.

The second important parameter when choosing is the operating temperature of the WFD. Devices rated for a temperature range of 0-40 ° C can only be used when used in systems with cold water. If you need a device for "hot" water supply, choose a device that works in the range of up to 130 ºС.

Like other plumbing fittings, pressure regulators must be made of strong metals and alloys - steel, brass, bronze, etc. In addition, alloys containing iron must be composed of ligatures with anti-corrosive properties. In practice, in retail chains you can find both very worthy products, distinguished by high quality workmanship, and outright rubbish. “Separating the wheat from the chaff” is easy due to two criteria - price and weight. Firstly, a good thing cannot be cheap, and secondly, pick up the compared products and choose the one whose weight differs upward. Also, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the casting. Remember that a good manufacturer will never release a product with shells or bursts on the walls outside the territory of their workshops.

The water pressure reducer is often equipped with pressure gauges, which greatly simplifies their adjustment and allows you to monitor the operating parameters during operation. If possible, do not skimp on this simple indicator. Believe me, later you will regret the wrong choice.

The installation of the RVD pressure should be carried out by a plumber from the housing office. For those who are not looking for easy ways, but are trying to do everything in the house with their own hands, we will compose a short instruction for installing the device. So, what we need:

  • water pressure regulator;
  • shut-off ball valves (one if the inlet valve is already installed);
  • coarse filter;
  • adjustable and gas wrenches;
  • sealing materials (fum tape, tow, thread).

Installing valves at the inlet and outlet of the gearbox will make it easier to remove the device for maintenance or replacement later.

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It is imperative to install a coarse water filter in front of the gearbox

Installation of WFD is no different from installing a water meter. Manufacturers recommend installing the product in horizontal sections of the pipeline, however, in practice, vertical installation is also allowed.

  1. Before starting work, shut off the water (do not forget to warn the neighbors in advance about the lack of water if it stops supplying to the riser).
  2. If necessary, install an inlet valve to which a mechanical filter is connected.

A household water pressure reducer must be installed in front of the meter in the direction of fluid flow.

  • Install the device in a position where the readings of the manometer will be available, while it is oriented with the regulator or indicator upwards.
  • Attach a ball valve to the WFD.
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    Installation diagram for pressure regulator with filter and check valve

    Be sure to seal all connections. The seals on the side of the device are best done with sanitary flax (tow). This will allow you to painlessly install it in the desired position without the danger of leaks.

    To adjust the RVD, supply water to it by closing the outlet valve. Use a screwdriver or wrench to turn the adjustment screw while checking the pressure readings on the pressure gauge. The optimal value is 3 atm. If you purchased a device without an indicator, then you can only hope for the accuracy of its factory adjustment, indicated in the product passport.

    Maintenance of diaphragm regulators is reduced to monitoring the pressure in the line. Failure to adjust the output parameters indicates a damaged membrane. During operation, water can also leak from under the body parts. If signs of malfunction appear, the device is dismantled and disassembled. Typically, damage to the diaphragm will corrode the spring, stem, and other components. These parts, including gaskets, are sold as repair kits, so repairing the unit is easy. After installation and adjustment, the gearbox will be able to perform its functions again.

    Installing a household water pressure regulator can solve several problems associated with an increased fluid pressure in pipelines. This will extend the service life of expensive equipment, save resources, and increase comfort. The simplicity of installation and maintenance of the gearbox makes it possible to use this useful device without the involvement of third-party specialists, so if you are worried about your property, do not postpone the installation of the WFD until later.