Before and after
What the homeowner called about
A Broken Arrow homeowner heard a noise in the plumbing that wouldn't go away. They'd noticed it started after an appliance technician had worked on the refrigerator the week before.
What our plumber found
The pressure-reducing valve (PRV) was the suspect and it was still under warranty, so Trystan and Josh replaced it. But the noise came back. In the tech's words: "We then checked the ice maker valve. It is a ball stop so no rubber washer. With the ice maker valve off we tested everything again and for the moment everything was fine after testing both hydrants multiple times." While cleaning up they heard it again, quieter.
How we fixed it
We turned the refrigerator supply back on and turned the house pressure down to 60 psi, rechecked, and everything was working. Our tech's research pointed to the cause: "having two hydrants on at the same time when the PRV is set at 70, then turning it off quickly, causes the PRV to overwork itself. Especially if the incoming water is at 100 psi+."
Why pressure matters around Tulsa
We aim for 60 to 75 psi in a home. City pressure can run much higher than that in some areas, near new additions as high as 140 psi. The PRV is what stands between that and your fixtures, and when it's working hard, closing outdoor hydrants fast can make it chatter.
What this means for your home
- A noise after another trade's visit isn't always their fault, and it isn't always the PRV either. We test until we find it.
- Close outdoor hydrants gently.
- A PRV setting in the low 60s is easier on the valve when incoming pressure is high.
- We test water pressure on every call.
More on PRV replacement in Broken Arrow.
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Straight Answers
Why is my plumbing making a noise?
High incoming water pressure and quick water shutoffs can cause a pressure reducing valve to overwork and make a noise.
What causes a pressure reducing valve to make noise?
Incoming water pressure over 100 psi can strain the valve, especially when multiple hydrants are turned off quickly.
How did our plumber resolve the issue?
Our crew replaced the pressure reducing valve and adjusted the water pressure down to 60 psi.
What pressure should my house be at?
We aim for 60 to 75 psi. On this job we set it to 60.
Do you test water pressure on every call?
Yes.
