felt like I’d discovered plumbing archaeology or something
That’s about right—old pipes are full of surprises. I’ve lost count how many times a “major” problem turned out to be a bit of gunk or scale. Good call on cleaning the PRV instead of replacing it. Most folks just swap parts and waste money. Pipes might hold grudges, but a little patience usually wins out.
I get the appeal of cleaning out the PRV instead of just swapping it, but I’ve learned the hard way that sometimes it’s not worth the gamble. Sure, a bit of scale or debris can cause issues, but if the valve’s old enough, you’re just delaying the inevitable. I had a tenant call about low pressure last winter—spent an hour cleaning out the PRV, got it working, only for it to seize up again a month later. Ended up replacing it anyway, plus another service call.
I’m all for saving money where it makes sense, but with plumbing, especially in older buildings, I lean toward replacement if the part’s showing its age. Sometimes patience pays off, but sometimes it just means you’re back under the sink sooner than you’d like. Guess it depends on how much you trust your pipes... and how much you like repeat visits.
Yeah, I hear you. Cleaning out a PRV can buy you a little time, but if it’s already old or corroded, it’s usually just a band-aid. I’ve tried flushing them before and sometimes it works for a bit, but more often than not, you’re back at square one pretty quick. Honestly, with older setups, I’d rather just swap the valve and be done with it. Less hassle in the long run, especially if you’re dealing with tenants who don’t want repeat issues. Sometimes the “quick fix” just drags things out...
Honestly, with older setups, I’d rather just swap the valve and be done with it. Less hassle in the long run, especially if you’re dealing with tenants who don’t want repeat issues.
Totally get that—nothing like a midnight call about “no water pressure” to make you rethink quick fixes. Ever had one where the main shutoff was so crusty you needed two pipe wrenches and a prayer? Curious if anyone’s tried those adjustable PRVs—worth the extra bucks or just more parts to fail?
I hear you on the crusty shutoffs—been there, wrestled with that. Still, I’m not totally sold on the “just swap the valve” approach every time, especially if the budget’s tight or the rest of the system’s holding up. Sometimes a thorough cleaning and a bit of patience can buy you a few more years, assuming you’re not dealing with a total relic.
About those adjustable PRVs, I’ve looked into them and honestly, I’m a bit wary. More moving parts usually means more stuff to break down the line. I get the appeal—being able to fine-tune pressure sounds great in theory. But for me, fewer components equals fewer headaches, especially if you’re not around to troubleshoot when something goes sideways.
Curious if anyone’s tried those adjustable PRVs—worth the extra bucks or just more parts to fail?
I lean toward basic, tried-and-true hardware unless there’s a real need for adjustability. Less maintenance, less to replace, and usually cheaper up front. Maybe it’s not as flashy, but it keeps things simple—and that’s worth something when you’re trying to keep costs down.
