Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [backflow-preventer]

38 questions
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Water shut off valve and backflow preventer

I'm a new member here. I'm here to learn how to do DIY plumbing work.  How does my home's main water supply valve, backflow preventer, and Potter switch work?  Image 1. The Main water line enters the house.  There is a valve with the red handle. …
mschurner
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Is a check valve required in California and if yes, where?

I realized that the leak indicator of my water meter ever so slightly moves back and forth. This is problematic because I attached a magnetic field sensor to measure the water consumption (and use it for leak detection). But since the disk always…
divB
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backflow-preventer valve: "shall provide protection where a potential health hazard does not exist": can it be used in a house?

Ideal for use where Lead-Free valves are required. Designed for installation on potable water lines to protect against both backsiphonage and backpressure of polluted water into the potable water supply. [This model] shall provide protection where…
mr blint
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Why did my febco backflow preventer fail?

I'm working as a handyman for a non-profit, and they have an in-ground irrigation system that has been off for a while because "there was a geyser." I successfully determined that the geyser was water shooting out of the top of the backflow…
mHurley
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Do individual irrigation system branch pipes need backflow preventers?

I have an inground sprinkler system with 3 zones. The water line coming up from the basement is going to the valves and has a Wilkins backflow preventer on it. I am adding 2 new valves/zones for drip irrigation. According to my research, I need to…
Robusto
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Backflow prevention fixture on my sprinkler system has started leaking -- is teflon tape the appropriate fix?

The backflow valve on my irrigation system has developed a minor leak at the threads I am pointing to. It's outside and not super fast, so not super urgent, but I would like to get it fixed eventually. Looking at the assembly, I see that every other…
Sidney
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Do I need a backflow preventer before my yard hydrant

I have a yard hydrant installed in my front yard. It is connected directly to the water supply from the city. The yard hydrant has a drain at the bottom that allows water to drain from the hydrant when not in use to prevent freeze damage will this…
Fresh Codemonger
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Can I eliminate irrigation vacuum breaker after installing upstream RPZ?

I have an atmospheric vacuum breaker on the feed from my meter to my lawn irrigation system. I am going to install a water-powered backup sump pump in the basement. (This uses city water pressure to drive a secondary sump pump if the primary…
jay613
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I know there is a pressure vacuum breaker here, but what is the rest?

First, a labeled picture of the situation: There are three ends, two in the ground and one in the house. How can I figure out which way the water is flowing? There are four labeled valves (and one hose bib valve I left unlabeled). I'm guessing C…
John Freeman
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How can I prevent backfeed to my bathroom light when a smart module activates the fan (240V AC, UK)?

I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable folks from the UK (and beyond!) can help me out with a bit of a smart home head-scratcher I'm experiencing with my bathroom fan setup. Summary of the Problem: In a nutshell, I've installed a Moes 2-gang smart…
Mark Dawson
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Is there any disadvantage of installing a backflow preventer instead of a check valve?

Based on my question in Is a check valve required in California and if yes, where? I do not strictly require a check valve. However, I am reading out my water meter electronically (with a magnetic sensor) and the small backflow causes my readings to…
divB
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Is it a problem if my back flow preventer pit is filling with water?

I bought his home in MN and moved in back in February. This is my first home and it was remodeled by a flipper. It’s now spring and has rained quite a bit the last few weeks. Last week, I discovered water seeping in through the foundation in an…
Kirby
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Remove leaky backflow preventer

I have a leaky backflow preventer I'm trying to remove. It's been on for most of 10 years, and we've got pretty hard water. I've drilled out the set screw: I have some channel locks that I can use to try to remove it, but it looks like the pipe for…
aaronstacy
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Can I seal a crack in a Zurn Wilkins 375 RP backflow preventer?

I noticed our backflow preventer was leaking, so I pulled out the assembly to see what the issue is and it looks like a decent-sized crack in the plastic above the relief valve. Is this something I can seal and have it hold, or will I need to buy a…
ryes31
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Is my irrigation system winterized properly?

I had a sprinkler specialist come over today to winterize my sprinkler system. I live in northwestern oregon (portland) and I'm trying to figure out if he properly winterized the system or if I need more to be done to ensure I don't have a freeze…
Veridian
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