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Friday, October 7th 2005, 10:24am
Responding to your comment, Wet Boots,
I would doubt the previous homeowner would have skimped, but I have little doubt that his installer might have cut corners and put a few $$$ away thereby for his son or daughter's college savings. [
]
Actually this device is at least 1.5 feet higher than any emitter, so the PVB should work. Is this an "anti-siphon valve" and if not what's the difference? I'm assuming that the issue with backflow is that water in the sprinkler system can enter the home under unusual conditions. Correct?
I'm willing to replace this assembly as you suggest, but I guess I'm looking for some confirmation that what I have is not adequate. Still wondering ... what is that gizmo? And why can't I find replacement parts to get the system working temporarily.
See, I'm putting in a new seeded lawn and really need this system to be operational. Can't wait on putting in the new lawn because the outdoor temperatures are only going to hold so long.
Appreciate [
] any help.
Joe
I would doubt the previous homeowner would have skimped, but I have little doubt that his installer might have cut corners and put a few $$$ away thereby for his son or daughter's college savings. [
]Actually this device is at least 1.5 feet higher than any emitter, so the PVB should work. Is this an "anti-siphon valve" and if not what's the difference? I'm assuming that the issue with backflow is that water in the sprinkler system can enter the home under unusual conditions. Correct?
I'm willing to replace this assembly as you suggest, but I guess I'm looking for some confirmation that what I have is not adequate. Still wondering ... what is that gizmo? And why can't I find replacement parts to get the system working temporarily.
See, I'm putting in a new seeded lawn and really need this system to be operational. Can't wait on putting in the new lawn because the outdoor temperatures are only going to hold so long.
Appreciate [
] any help.Joe
Joe
Saturday, October 8th 2005, 5:36pm
Hi "Wetboots"
This does seem to have turned into the proverbial can of worms.
As for the solenoid not providing any protection against backflow, I do believe that depends on their being some signficant positive pressure and water supply (both factors) in the irrigation lines in excess of that in the potable water system. I mean, I don't think the solenoid is a wide open sluice gate for backflow. However I suspect you are correct that they are designed to hold off a head of pressure coming from the supply line, not (certainly not) the other way around.
Certainly, it would benefit us to keep a close eye in the near future on any use of the fire hydrants (one's right in front of the house) that leads to significant depressurization of our potable water system. The township does drain these annually, but I never paid attention to this before... nor have I seen any dead animal carcasses.
I don't know whether the home *practically speaking* is unsaleable since we bought it in that condition with the help of an apparently assiduous and honorable -- certainly hardworking -- inspector. [] Perhaps the right statement rather is that it should be unsaleable without a PVB valve but this might or might not be caught by the next buyer's inspector should we ever sell the place.
You are correct, however, on the issue that it is something that must be dealt with. What I'm left to wonder is whether the sprinkler system was properly permitted originally. That is a potentially significant issue. Since a major renovation was performed at that time and many many drawings were filed with the local government, it's hard to believe that it wasn't inspected then. BTW there is an older irrigation timer located next to the electrical panel (also Richdel as is the currently functioning timer) which has been disconnected but not removed. Hard to say what that signifies other than that there has been a long-term use of a sprinkler system dating back more than a few years before we bought the house -- i.e., odds certainly are that it was here at the time of the major renovation. Furthermore there are lines going underneath the driveway and that has (from its condition) not been replaced for many years.
But if not, there are other issues to be concerned with here. You might or might not be aware that permits and inspections are critical to satisfying the homeowner's responsibilities for insurance coverage -- this is not a trifling matter, not at all.
Interestingly, the AVB is all-plastic construction; I guess a PVB also be all-plastic. E.g., the Toro model 53300 (a PVB shown at their website) does appear plastic. This could make a significant difference in whether I am replacing like for like (and therefore do not need a permit) or am installing something new.
This does seem to have turned into the proverbial can of worms.
As for the solenoid not providing any protection against backflow, I do believe that depends on their being some signficant positive pressure and water supply (both factors) in the irrigation lines in excess of that in the potable water system. I mean, I don't think the solenoid is a wide open sluice gate for backflow. However I suspect you are correct that they are designed to hold off a head of pressure coming from the supply line, not (certainly not) the other way around.
Certainly, it would benefit us to keep a close eye in the near future on any use of the fire hydrants (one's right in front of the house) that leads to significant depressurization of our potable water system. The township does drain these annually, but I never paid attention to this before... nor have I seen any dead animal carcasses.
I don't know whether the home *practically speaking* is unsaleable since we bought it in that condition with the help of an apparently assiduous and honorable -- certainly hardworking -- inspector. [
] Perhaps the right statement rather is that it should be unsaleable without a PVB valve but this might or might not be caught by the next buyer's inspector should we ever sell the place.You are correct, however, on the issue that it is something that must be dealt with. What I'm left to wonder is whether the sprinkler system was properly permitted originally. That is a potentially significant issue. Since a major renovation was performed at that time and many many drawings were filed with the local government, it's hard to believe that it wasn't inspected then. BTW there is an older irrigation timer located next to the electrical panel (also Richdel as is the currently functioning timer) which has been disconnected but not removed. Hard to say what that signifies other than that there has been a long-term use of a sprinkler system dating back more than a few years before we bought the house -- i.e., odds certainly are that it was here at the time of the major renovation. Furthermore there are lines going underneath the driveway and that has (from its condition) not been replaced for many years.
But if not, there are other issues to be concerned with here. You might or might not be aware that permits and inspections are critical to satisfying the homeowner's responsibilities for insurance coverage -- this is not a trifling matter, not at all.
Interestingly, the AVB is all-plastic construction; I guess a PVB also be all-plastic. E.g., the Toro model 53300 (a PVB shown at their website) does appear plastic. This could make a significant difference in whether I am replacing like for like (and therefore do not need a permit) or am installing something new.
Joe