SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

I've seen the Watts 009 series fail to operate correctly (relief valve dripping) on low pressures. For those applications, a Febco 825Y is probably the champ, even though I have to partially dismantle them every fall when I winterize a system. http://www.bwpipe.com/back_f1.jpg Note the larger relief valve diaphragm, giving it much more force to keep it from leaking from the relief valve.

I have a client that wants me to change out her 825 w/ an RP without the giant flange....she has never winterized, just drained herself...and she is tired of doing the bolts each year....her flange is warped...and she has to tighten the bolts all the time. I mentioned that to her...also mentioned we could replace the flange only...and I could winterize "properly" each year....and she wouldn't have that problem....

The solution it seems, according to a supply house, is to install the new Watts 009....the backflow guy at my supplier seems to like it...any thoughts wet boots? Less chance of warpage you think? Easier winterizing?

I have been able to blow out a system though a 009 (low-pressure truck-mount compressor) and not bother with any disassembly. For a DIYer not using any compressor, I don't know. I would have my doubts. In any event, the warped 825Y indicates freeze damage, from ice, so I wouldn't trust the homeowner to properly deal with it. There's always those union-mount RPZs, so one can just take the whole thing indoors.

The RPZs you saw were newer designs, that cost less to manufacture. That doesn't mean they're more reliable. It might just bad luck that had the 009s I recently worked with dripping from the relief valves. But I do know for a fact that the force that holds the relief valve shut is proportional to the area of the diaphragm. The Febco 825Y has the largest diaphragm. I have not used the 860 yet.

825Y will be perfect