The Blocked Drain Guys team working at the back of the red drain clearing van

Our Services

Pressure Reducing Valve Installation, Replacement and Adjustment in Sydney

$0 Call Out Fee
Upfront Pricing
Same Day Guarantee
24/7 Emergency Plumbing

Large water main valve exposed in an excavation

What is a pressure reducing valve and why does it matter for your building?

A pressure reducing valve (PRV) is a mechanical device fitted to a building’s water supply that controls the pressure delivered to every tap, appliance, and fixture inside. Sydney Water mains can deliver pressure well above what internal plumbing is designed to handle, sometimes 700-800 kPa or higher.

A PRV reduces that to a safe operating range, typically 300-350 kPa for most commercial and strata buildings in NSW. When it’s working correctly, you don’t notice it. When it fails or drifts out of adjustment, the whole building feels it.

Water pressure problems in a strata building or commercial property rarely fix themselves. Tenants on upper floors complain about weak showers. Ground floor units cop hammering pipes and noise and the flexi hoses invariably end up bursting. We install, replace, and adjust PRVs across commercial properties and strata complexes in the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney.

Booking A Plumber is as Easy as 1-2-3

Get a Blocked Drain Quote

Request a Quote
Call or send a text on 0418 408 333 or submit a contact form and we’ll get back to you promptly with honest advice.
Book a Time
We’ll arrange a time that works for you. We show up on time and keep you informed every step of the way.
Job Completed
Relax knowing the work is completed safely, professionally, and cleaned up properly. Your satisfaction matters to us.

Pressure gauge and valves on a building water supply

What we do

We handle PRV installation on new connections, replacement of failed valves, and adjustment of existing valves that have drifted out of spec. For strata and commercial buildings, we also carry out pressure testing across the building to confirm the valve is doing its job at every level, not just at the meter.

Where a single PRV isn’t enough (common in buildings over three or four storeys), we work with zoned pressure reduction setups. That means separate PRVs serving different floor zones, so you’re not trying to make one valve serve both the basement and the penthouse. It’s a more involved job, but it’s the right solution for taller buildings.

Our contractor licence is 93566C, verifiable at the NSW Fair Trading public register. ABN 86 081 868 984.

What causes PRV failure

PRVs fail for a few reasons, and it’s worth knowing which one you’re dealing with before replacing the valve outright.

Internal wear is the most common. The diaphragm or seat inside the valve degrades over time, especially in areas with harder water or higher sediment. The valve loses its ability to hold a consistent downstream pressure and starts to drift, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes fluctuating between the two.
Sediment blockage is the other common one. A valve that’s been running without a strainer upstream, or in a building where pipe scale has been dislodging, can get partial blockages that affect flow and pressure consistency. Sometimes this is cleanable. Sometimes the valve needs replacing.
Water hammer, that banging noise in the pipes when taps are turned off quickly, can also indicate a PRV that’s set too high or has lost its ability to absorb pressure surges. It’s not always the valve, but it’s a logical first check.

TMV’s And PRV’s

PRVs and TMVs are different valves with different compliance requirements. TMV’s Are for the hot water temperature and TMV testing is a legal requirement for many commercial buildings

And if the pressure problem in your building is coming from the Sydney Water main itself, low street pressure affecting the whole area, that’s a Sydney Water issue, not something a plumber can fix on your side of the meter. We’ll tell you that upfront rather than quote you for work that won’t solve it.

What the process looks like

We start with a pressure test at the meter and at representative points throughout the building. That tells us what the valve is doing (or not doing) before we touch anything. From there, if the valve just needs adjustment, it’s a straightforward job. If it needs replacing, we’ll quote on the replacement including isolation, installation, and pressure verification across the building.

We don’t quote PRV work over the phone for anything other than a single residential or small commercial connection. For strata and multi-storey commercial work, a site visit is the only way to give you a number we can stand behind.

Call 0418 408 333 or get in touch through theblockeddrainguys.com.au to arrange an assessment.

Call 0418 408 333

What Our Customers Say

5.0

100+ Google reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   noah lester 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service, friendly team, and quality work. Arrived on time, completed the job efficiently, and left everything clean and tidy. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mark Adamson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fast friendly,  and professional.
You will not find better.
A standout business
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dave Bailey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A breath of fresh air above the smell of the sewage.
Craig is a true gentleman and good to his word. If you need to unblock your drain give them a call. Top bloke, top job and top company. Im a tradie and I know what the industry can be like. This is Proper old style customer service.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Joanna Murphy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a blocked sewer and Craig from The Blocked Drain Guys came out straight away. He was fair, honest, kind, and cleared the problem quickly. Highly recommend them for fast and efficient service – thank you Craig!

For context, before calling Craig we had contacted another company (Dans Plumbing). While they partially cleared the blockage, they then tried to pressure us into unnecessary “repairs” with a ridiculous $17,000 quote, making false claims about damaged pipes. We refused, but still had to pay $1,250 for their overpriced call-out.

In the end, Craig solved the issue properly without the nonsense. If you want genuine service without being ripped off, go with The Blocked Drain Guys.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Deborah Locke 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. These guys are great! They were quick and cheap.  I got a good job done with little fuss.  Will be using them next time. Highly recommend 👌
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lila Micevska 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Craig was fantastic to deal with from start to finish. He was incredibly patient, took the time to explain everything clearly (and I had a lot of questions!), and made sure I fully understood what was going on. His work was super thorough, and he managed to clear my blocked drain on the same day—which was such a relief!

On top of that, his pricing was very reasonable, especially for the quality of service provided. I’m so grateful and will definitely be using Craig as my go-to plumber from now on. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a plumber they can trust!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Philip Chang 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very happy with the service provided by Craig and his team. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rosie Argiropoulos 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service from Craig and his team.  Very professional and polite.  Removed all rubbish after completing the job.  Notified of their arrival time at each stage.  I would highly recommend The Blocked Drain Guys.
Thank you for all your help.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Brian Chen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Craig came around to look at our blocked storm drainage. He is very experienced, knowledgeable and professional. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Luke Phoenix 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The team came out to check on our drainage, found roots in the pipes and fixed that up for us. Professional and efficient work, resonably priced. Give them a call to discuss your work.
  
 
  
  
 
 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified that these reviews were published on The Blocked Drain Guys's Google Business Profile. Learn more

Licensed Blocked Drain Plumbers Since 2000

The Blocked Drain Guys operate under Plumb-Quick Pty Ltd, with NSW Fair Trading Contractor Licence 93566C and Qualified Supervisors Licence 67936C. We have been doing this for over 26 years. ABN 86 081 868 984.

Check our licence with NSW Fair Trading

Contractor
Licence93566C
Qualified
Supervisors Licence67936C
Clearing
drains since2000

PRV FAQs

Common questions about plumbing services answered by licensed Sydney plumbers

What does a pressure reducing valve do?

A pressure reducing valve controls the water pressure delivered to a building’s internal plumbing from the street main. Sydney Water mains can deliver pressure well above what’s safe for internal fixtures, sometimes 700-800 kPa or higher. A PRV reduces that to a safe operating range, typically 300-350 kPa for most residential and commercial buildings. Without one, or with a faulty one, fixtures, flexi hoses, and appliances are operating under more stress than they’re designed for.

How do I know if my PRV is faulty?

Common signs include: fluctuating water pressure throughout the building, banging or hammering in the pipes, unusually high pressure at ground floor fixtures combined with weak pressure on upper floors, and unexplained flexi hose failures. A pressure gauge on the outlet side of the valve will tell you what it’s delivering. If you don’t have one, a licensed plumber can test it during a site visit.

How long does a PRV last?

A quality valve that’s been correctly installed and maintained will typically last 10-15 years. Unmaintained valves in buildings with harder water or higher sediment loads can fail sooner. In older strata buildings across the Sutherland Shire, it’s not uncommon to find valves that are well past their useful life and have never been serviced.

Does a PRV need to be replaced or can it be adjusted?

It depends on the fault. A valve that has drifted out of adjustment but is otherwise mechanically sound can often be reset without replacement. A valve with a failed diaphragm, damaged seat, or sediment blockage that can’t be cleared usually needs replacing. We’ll tell you which one it is after assessing the valve, we’re not going to recommend a replacement if an adjustment will fix it.

Who is responsible for the PRV in a strata building, the owners corporation or the individual lot owner?

In most cases, the main PRV serving the whole building is common property and therefore the owners corporation’s responsibility. PRVs installed within individual lots (some buildings have secondary pressure reduction at the lot level) may be the lot owner’s responsibility, depending on what the strata plan and by-laws say. If you’re not sure, check your strata plan or ask your strata manager before engaging anyone.

Is PRV installation licensed work in NSW?

Yes. Under the NSW Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011, installation and replacement of pressure reducing valves is licensed plumbing work. It must be carried out by a licensed plumber and a compliance certificate issued on completion. DIY or unlicensed installation is not legal and creates liability issues, particularly in strata and commercial settings.

Get a free quote

Tell us what's blocked and we'll call you back with honest advice and a fixed upfront price.

Prefer to talk?Call 0418 408 333

Contact details

Phone0418 408 333

Address532 Princes Hwy, Kirrawee NSW 2232

Office hoursMon – Sat 8.00 – 18.00. Sunday CLOSED

Blocked Drains Service Areas in Southern Sydney and the Sutherland Shire

We clear blocked drains throughout the Sutherland Shire. Find out more by calling us on Call 0418 408 333 today!

See all the suburbs we cover

Call now Get a free quote