Can I install a water pressure reducing valve before the meter?

Question

Let me add that the meter is in my basement so I do have access to it. My water company happens to be the same person as the contractor who built my house. He felt we didn't need a prv. Our pressure is about 70. (We just have a lot more available pipe area to work with on the "before meter" side.)

Answer 1

Call your code enforcement department to determine whether you can.  Ours is the first thing located after the meter where the water enters our home and that is because our code dictates it to be there.

Answer 2

Not a good idea. To do this, you would need to shut off the water at the City valve. If you break it, you pay for them to repair/replace. 70 is not considered high pressure. Over 80 is. Most areas also prohibit any cutting into the line before the meter to prevent theft of service.

Answer 3

no...anything before themeter is the water company's

Answer 4

The answer is NO.  It must be after the meter.  Plus, that gives you way to shut off the water so you can install the pressure reducing valve.  By the way, what is the water pressure in your house?  If it is above 50, the valve is a good idea.  We have a house that has water over 100.  I installed two valves in series because I knew the first one was going to fail in a year.  Good luck!

Dave

Answer 5

You own the line coming into the home so you can place it where you want but it will be easier to install it after the meter.  If you do install one be sure to put an expansion tank on your hot water heater also. The hot water won't be able to expand beyond the reducer and will either cause th releif valve to leak or something else.