Water Pressure Regulator Valve - Rebuild or Replace?

5 years ago

I have a 20 year old PRV that gave away and now I have water pressure of ~110PSI. Its Wilkins 600 and of size 1.25". Given how expensive they are to replace, I thought I would go on a rebuild route and bought the rebuild kit. Have seen videos on the internet and felt I can handle it. However, couple of bolts on the right side are tight and would not budge at all. I tried with pipe wrench, crescent wrenches and no amount of pressure would turn them loose. Surprisingly I was able to remove the the larger cone shaped bolt on the left.

I thought I would take help of a plumber, but no plumber in my area would want to take up the job. They are only willing to replace it. I get quotes from $700-$900. They all tell me rebuilds would not work.

Any one successful in rebuilding these PRVs? What is your experience? Should I just pony up and replace them? Manufactures suggest that these should last a life time and can be rebuilt. How can I find help in getting these stubborn bolts loose? Here are the pictures of my PRV.

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Comments (4)

Bruce in Northern Virginia
5 years ago
Based on a quick internet search, it looks like a 3/4" PRV goes for about $75-$125, depending on the brand, so the rest of that plumber's charge must be for labor. It wouldn't be an easy job because of the old pipe, but still a lot more straightforward than trying to rebuild an old valve.

Bruce
HU-867564120
5 years ago
You will need some big-a** wrenches to get that valve apart. Large diameter threads that have frozen in place over the decades, probably a workbench with a machinists vise, too. The plumbers are quoting you a reasonable price, IMO, and they will be 99+ percent confident that a new valve will not require any callbacks. But, as you were willing to try and rebuild the valve yourself, you should have the skills to replace the existing valve with new as well. Also, unless you are a manufacturing firm, you likely don't need a 1-1/4" PRV, a smaller valve would be fine for home use. Mine is a 1" valve, not because the high flowrate was needed, but because I have a long run from the utility room to and from the softener in the garage.
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woodbutcher_ca
5 years ago
Hi, I have rebuilt a couple of those. Pretty easy. I didn't have problems removing the caps however. The caps have gaskets for the seal. Try some penetrating oil of some kind and tap around the caps gently and let them set for a day then give it a try, the caps and housing are bronze so they're not rusting. Probably gasket sealer is stuck them together.

Good Luck Woodbutcher
Jake The Wonderdog
5 years ago
It's 6 of one / half a dozen of another if I'd rebuild it or replace it.

As Bruce said, the replacements are ~$100.

There's a hassle factor in dealing with the pipe length and such if you replace it.

I hate that there's PVC coming out of the ground - because that's going to be brittle and prone to cracking when you are working on the valve.