I have a plumbing question.?

Almost every time I have some plumbing done in my basement, the plumber looks at the water meter in my basement and says that the pressure relief valve in my cold water supply line needs replaced. I let a plumber do it a couple of years ago and I watched how he adjusted it with a wrench. This last plumber did not even try and adjust it down to a lower flow, he just said it needed replaced and the last time it was 110.00. So I am wondering if this is a common plumbing ruse to get money from homeowners, especially since the master plumber who replaced our boiler two years ago did not see a problem with it. I really only want an answer from someone who knows for sure, and thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. Your question is ambiguous. In Texas, the water meter is located along the street and any problems related to it must be done by the city without any charge. If you are talking about your water heater, the pressure relief valve is set by the manufacturer. You should replace your water heater if it is already 10 years old and the pressure relief valve will be new. A water heater is cheap compared to calling a plumber all the time. Good luck!
2. In the UK there are no pressure releif vales on cold supply thats crap you can adjust your pressure with the STOP TAP. The only main problem is lack of pressure where you have to a have an extra pump which are also automatic. There are pressure valves in some hot water boilers, which do go faulty, get it serviced and they will tell you if there is a problem, using corgi a registered plumber.
3. the water meter tells how much water has or IS being used or to tell someone if you have something leaking, ie pipe, relief valve, etc. There is ( normally) a pressure reducing valve that reduces street water pressure to house pressure. Street pressure ( in my area) can be from 120-190 psi, house pressure is 45-80 psi. Pressure reducing valves are adjustable, but they do wear out! There are temperature& pressure relief valves on water heaters that are preset at factory (not adjustable) that will wear out. There are also adjustable pressure relief valves that are used in conjuction with "t&p" valves in closed plumbing systems ( systems w/check valves installed at meter which keep water from house going back into water main in street) I hope you understood my little tutorial. You can buy a pressure gauge to check your water pressure at home depot etc. If your pressure is over 75, replace reducing valve. If in doubt of what the plumber is telling you, get a 2nd opinion.
4. water pressure is 30 to 60 psi,never heard of a cold water relief valve,water heater yes,is it a regulator??
5. Your house pressure should not exceed 50 psi. If it is higher than that, your pressure reducing valve is bad. If the street pressure is very high, your pressure reducing valve will fail quite quickly. You may try placing a filter before the valve, and try buying a high quality valve.