How to Prevent Damage by Installing a Pressure Regulator at the Meter

Prevent damage to your plumbing and waste due to excess pressure in you irrigation system by installing a water pressure regulator at the water meter. Greg shows you how, step by step.

Water company street pressure is often much higher than the recommended 80 psi for landscape and household plumbing. This puts the pipes under higher stress than necessary and more likely to leak and break over time. Sprinkler systems with too high a pressure will mist excessively, often wasting 50% of the water applied.

This video shows a southern California water meter installation. Meter location and configuration will vary by region, as dictated by local codes and weather (in Northern climates the meters are often in the house where they cannot freeze); however, the principle remains the same: protect ALL the pipe that is on the homeowner's side of the meter, not just what goes directly into the building.

Time to complete	One to two hours ( Your water will be shut off during the entire job. Be sure to allow extra time for troubleshooting - don't start shortly before dark.)
Materials	PVC cutting tool of your choice, tool for preparing the pipe end, Pressure regulator, copper or brass extension, PVC coupling, wrenches, teflon tape
Costs	less than $100
Skill level	Medium
Troubleshooting	Leaks after installation may require tightening or new washers - especially if disturbing an older installation
Safety Issues	Be careful of contamination entering the supply pipe. Adequate flushing afterwards is recommended
Property damage potential	Beware of buried power, phone, and other utility lines whenever digging. Call for line location when available.