The pressure reducer is an essential tool for managing the water supply from the main driving of the house to all rooms. Its principle and its installation are quite simple, but you must always make sure to do things in the rules. Let’s see why and how you should install it.
Why use a pressure reducer?
As its name suggests, the pressure reducer allows you to regulate and reduce the pressure of the water that arrives in your pipes. Pressure from 3 to 3.5 bars is recommended and any higher figure can mean several problems. First of all, too much water pressure causes splashes and noise in the taps, but it can also be the source of leaks and accelerated wear of household appliances. The reducer is therefore intended to protect your installation, but it also saves money on your bill, avoiding any unnecessary consumption. There are constant pressure models, which are already adjusted or with adjustable pressure, which can be useful depending on the configuration of your building.
Installation of a pressure reducer
The pressure reducer must be installed upstream of the water supply line, after the water meter. The device is made of a brass body, in which an inner membrane controls a valve, thus regulating the flow of the water and modifying its pressure. It can also be fitted with a pressure gauge or allow one to install one, which is recommended. It is a very autonomous device that is not supplied electric. Be careful to install it in the right direction, simply by following the engraved arrow which indicates the direction of flow of water. To avoid any leakage, be sure to drive the fittings around the reducer well and fix them firmly. Once you have put the reducer in place, set the regulator and determine the desired pressure.
