Sprinkler backflow valve repair

2,841 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by mAgnoliAg
ReloadAg
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AG
I thought I drained it out before the freeze but evidently I didn't do it right because when I went to turn it back on it's spewing water from on top and one area on the bottom. I've reached out to a couple of landscapers but they're so busy right now I haven't actually had anyone come out.

Is this something I can fix myself? If I can get a landscaper out to fix it how much do you think it'd cost? I'm in Austin if that makes any difference.
mAgnoliAg
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PVB? RPZ? Pictures? Most likely you will have to plumb a new one but if it is an RPZ you could just replace the cartridge. I'm guessing from your description it is a PVB. You will have to plumb a new one. Not too difficult of a job. Go to siteone, Texas irrigation, metro, Ewing to buy one and then cut it out and plumb it at the same level it is currently at.
ReloadAg
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AG
Thanks. I think it's a PVB. I can take a pic tomorrow.
jel_2002
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My Febco 765-1 cracked. This is the second one I've replaced due to crack right above the quarter turn ball valve on the backflow. Covered and drained both times. So I'll be installing a new one. I'm going to also install an in-ground shutoff for it somewhere. There is no dedicated shut-off for the sprinkler system water except on the backflow valve itself.
FatZilla
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AG
jel_2002 said:

My Febco 765-1 cracked. This is the second one I've replaced due to crack right above the quarter turn ball valve on the backflow. Covered and drained both times. So I'll be installing a new one. I'm going to also install an in-ground shutoff for it somewhere. There is no dedicated shut-off for the sprinkler system water except on the backflow valve itself.


Install a way to drain the line downstream and the bell itself. Only thing with water in it would be your upstream shutoff ball valve then.
ReloadAg
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I think my mistake was after I "drained" it, I left the cover off of the box so that whole thing filled up with snow and sat there for a week ha.
Gilligan
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Wait a couple months and your sprinkler guy will be available.

No rush at the moment.
harleyds2
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Mine froze a couple of years ago. Above ground type. Flooded the yard
I made a case out of plywood to cover it and filled with spray foam insulation. No problem on this freeze which was a whole lot worse
n_touch
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Should be an easy replacement. Did the same with mine last year after the light freeze. If you are somewhat handy its only a 15 minute repair.
drumboy
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So how long will a JB Weld patch last? I want to replace it with the same valve but I can't find it so far.

I tapped the burst section flat before putting JB Weld on and it's holding so far after 12 hours.

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El_duderino
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You can just replace the entire pressure breaker valve which will probably run you less than $100
drumboy
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That's not a bad idea and then I could keep the extra parts from this one in case I need it later. Actually my mom's rent house has a busted bell assembly thing.
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Cromagnum
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El_duderino said:

You can just replace the entire pressure breaker valve which will probably run you less than $100


Where are you seeing that? Unless people are price gouging right now, it looked like new PVB assemblies are $300-400 online. I was lucky though and only the internals on mine were damaged so was able to order a repair kit for cheap from backflowpartsUSA.
drumboy
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Pretty large variance in prices.

https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/product/lawn-irrigation/backflow-preventers/pressure-vacuum-breakers-pvb
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El_duderino
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That's where I get all my parts from. Looks like prices have crept up a bit since I looked about a month ago. That cheapest Febco was right about $80 vs now $97
El_duderino
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Sprinkler warehouse like the above poster linked
Whoop Delecto
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AggieChemE09
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That sure looks familiar
Kenneth_2003
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drumboy said:

So how long will a JB Weld patch last? I want to replace it with the same valve but I can't find it so far.

I tapped the burst section flat before putting JB Weld on and it's holding so far after 12 hours.


Unless it's your OCD, there is nothing special about that valve. Any 3/4" threaded valve will work.
Whoop Delecto
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Jethro95
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When I did this several years ago I splurged and got valves with freeze plugs built in. Replaced the plugs once and then got an insulated cover that goes over the whole thing and haven't had an issue since.

http://www.freeze-tolerant-ballvalve.net/

mAgnoliAg
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They make relief valves that you plumb onto these that open when the water temperature in the pipe goes below 40 degrees and once it warms back up to 40 they close. Just like you running your faucets in your house to keep pipes from freezing but it does it automatically.
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