I prefer using a small RPZ backflow instead of that type. Even though they are more expensive they are a lot more reliable than these. They look more interesting in the boiler room (for whatever that's worth) and come with two valves that can be used as a shutoff valve.
@@theodorgiosan2570 Your use of a RPZ in a boiler room is certainly raising the bar! Would you do this in all cases, including for residential boilers?
@@gordonschweizer5154Yes I prefer the Caleffi small 1/2" one. You can get the propress one for about $60 less than the threaded one, but it has threaded adapters right in the ends which can be removed and you have the threaded one for $60 less. About $189 at Supplyhouse but definitely worth it at that price especially on a steam boiler where you don't need a combo with a fill valve. This type is already up to $90+ where I live. Why not spend another 100 and get a backflow preventer that will last many times longer, comes with shutoffs built in, and even comes with an air gap fitted to the vent so that it can be piped over to a drain? Unless it was an extremely cheap customer I would explain that it's likely to last a lot longer and most of them would understand. By the time you go through two of the standard ones you've already come close to the price of the RPZ. Sometimes I can find Watts ones new in the box on eBay for far less than the Caleffi, around $80-100, and at that point it's a no-brainer to go with the RPZ over the dual check with vent. Here the water is so full of scale that it destroys all kinds of check valves and similar devices. But I've seen 30+ year old RPZs still working in commercial applications. Besides the better and heavier duty design, most of them are just made with quality materials compared to these. And many have rebuild kits available off the shelf for a fraction of the price of a new one. At least here I would always recommend installing at least a strainer if not a coarse sediment filter before the feed line to the boiler because of all the debris in the water but then again not everyone will maintain it and some of the contractors if they see it full will just rip it out rather than put in a new cartridge. But for a person that actually pays attention to their boiler it makes sense. I don't know what is up with the water here. It puts pinholes in copper but doesn't touch galvanized that is installed properly. The galvanized in my own house looks brand new on the inside. Same situation with all the neighbors houses nearby, and the houses in the area I used to live (same state). Absolutely bizarre how the copper corrodes quickly but galvanized lasts forever. Even the water main to my house which is wrought iron (!) has very little corrosion.
I hate those things. They always plug up or leak out the vent.
You and me both, brother!
I prefer using a small RPZ backflow instead of that type. Even though they are more expensive they are a lot more reliable than these. They look more interesting in the boiler room (for whatever that's worth) and come with two valves that can be used as a shutoff valve.
@@theodorgiosan2570 Your use of a RPZ in a boiler room is certainly raising the bar!
Would you do this in all cases, including for residential boilers?
@@gordonschweizer5154Yes I prefer the Caleffi small 1/2" one. You can get the propress one for about $60 less than the threaded one, but it has threaded adapters right in the ends which can be removed and you have the threaded one for $60 less. About $189 at Supplyhouse but definitely worth it at that price especially on a steam boiler where you don't need a combo with a fill valve. This type is already up to $90+ where I live. Why not spend another 100 and get a backflow preventer that will last many times longer, comes with shutoffs built in, and even comes with an air gap fitted to the vent so that it can be piped over to a drain? Unless it was an extremely cheap customer I would explain that it's likely to last a lot longer and most of them would understand. By the time you go through two of the standard ones you've already come close to the price of the RPZ. Sometimes I can find Watts ones new in the box on eBay for far less than the Caleffi, around $80-100, and at that point it's a no-brainer to go with the RPZ over the dual check with vent. Here the water is so full of scale that it destroys all kinds of check valves and similar devices. But I've seen 30+ year old RPZs still working in commercial applications. Besides the better and heavier duty design, most of them are just made with quality materials compared to these. And many have rebuild kits available off the shelf for a fraction of the price of a new one. At least here I would always recommend installing at least a strainer if not a coarse sediment filter before the feed line to the boiler because of all the debris in the water but then again not everyone will maintain it and some of the contractors if they see it full will just rip it out rather than put in a new cartridge. But for a person that actually pays attention to their boiler it makes sense. I don't know what is up with the water here. It puts pinholes in copper but doesn't touch galvanized that is installed properly. The galvanized in my own house looks brand new on the inside. Same situation with all the neighbors houses nearby, and the houses in the area I used to live (same state). Absolutely bizarre how the copper corrodes quickly but galvanized lasts forever. Even the water main to my house which is wrought iron (!) has very little corrosion.
Just now your reply came thru.
Thank you for your comments and insights!