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Backflow spewing
Hi all. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Ken and I live in Minneola, FL. I've been having a few issues with my sprinkler system. Surprise. Luckily enough I have been able to fix them. However this one has me stumped. I was outside earlier and looked out back to see my backflow spewing water high into the air. I took some pics and wrote a few notes hoping someone could help me out. The pics are all 30k -40k. Could a few of you kindly take a look at what I'm talking about.
http://www.knmy.com/backflow.htm
I appreciate it.
I turned both valves off at one point then back on and it is still spewing water at a high velocity. It just doesn't quit, ha-ha.
Thanks again,
Ken
Your backflow is shot! You can get a rebuild kit from a plumbing supply and reinsert the guts right at the top of that bonnet. It looks like you bonnete top went also which then you would probably want to just replace the whole backflow. How old is it?
The system is only one year and 6 months old. What would make this sort of thing happen? I wonder how the guts got all messed up? I have the Watts version and I see sprinkler warehouse has those for sale.
I don't think this, http://www.knmy.com/waterspew5.jpg is supposed to be in two pieces is it? Looks like it came right apart. To get this I unscrewed the bonnet (I am assuming that's what that was) from the pipe. The bottom part was down inside and the top part (the prongy one) was in the bonnet. Is this white piece the Vent Float and is it possible to just buy this piece and the Vent Seal. Sure would make it easier. Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks for the reply.
Ken
your pvb most likely froze over the winter. A replacement kit is the way to go. I'd get the poppett (vent float in your case) and the bonnett.
Well, Tom I would go for that except I'm in central florida. :-) We didn't get too big of a freeze this year. Where is the best place to get a replacement kit by the way.
Thanks,
Ken
Ken, It only takes one night for the water in the PVB to freeze and destroy the insides. Are you saying that there was NEVER a single night when the temperatures didn't dip below freezing there in Florida?
Well, I can't exactly say that. It would have been back in December or January. I can barely remember 2 days ago, ha-ha.
I have found which replacement kits I need. I got the vent float and the bonnet assembly kit. Ordered from a place called Ewins.
Thanks again.