Hey Vinny! If I sheared the blue handle off of my inlet ball valve, but it's otherwise intact, can I fix it without replacing the entire ball valve piece? If they are, it would be a huge relief not having to go through a full repair that I don't know how to do, nor have the tools for.
If it broke in the open position you should be fine. You can always close the shut off valve in basement and crawl space. However, if you plan on selling or renting in the future they may hit you on inspection report. Other than that you should be fine.
That’s a great question! Typically it’s the copper that goes first. The only thing I can think of was extra moisture that was in the bell housing slowly made its way to the ball valve and freezing. With the slow expansion of ice gathering it finally burst. The ball valve may have been slightly opened at the time they blew out sprinklers. Thanks for watching!
The ball valve in the off position is still holding water inside of the ball itself even when water is drained from the pipes before and after it. That water when it freezes will expand and crack the brass valve body. When winterizing a PVB just make sure after draining the inlet and outlet pipes, turn both ball valves in the on position once again to release the trapped water in them.
@@vinnythehandyman My experience also found the ball housing cracked, as most online videos have shown, and I suspect the ball retains some water even if at the recommended 45 position, and that freezes within the tight space, whereas in the main pipe, some remaining water can freeze and just expand into the air space without issue. At least the valves can be replaced separately from the primary backflow itself.
What if those little ball valve are leaking on the side of the backflow precentor? One of mines is leaking even though they are closed face up and down.
After 3 years of the plastic bonnet float pieces breaking during the winter (even after winterizing) i triple to quadruple winterize the whole system and then when i went to turn it on,water was gushing again. then i realized the ball valve was completely cracked... i may repair it this one last time after this i think its time to go turf.
@@xxtwobitxx I would just solder and use a union adapter only. This allows for quick disconnect. You can use a sharkbite fitting but can’t concubine long the plastic will hold due to weather conditions. You might get a 2-3 seasons out of the fitting.
Is that valve Febco brand or did you go with a store brand.
It was a standard Home Depot valve. Not sure who the manufacturer was.
Hey Vinny!
If I sheared the blue handle off of my inlet ball valve, but it's otherwise intact, can I fix it without replacing the entire ball valve piece?
If they are, it would be a huge relief not having to go through a full repair that I don't know how to do, nor have the tools for.
If it broke in the open position you should be fine. You can always close the shut off valve in basement and crawl space. However, if you plan on selling or renting in the future they may hit you on inspection report. Other than that you should be fine.
Your thoughts please on why the brass valve split vs the copper before it?
That’s a great question! Typically it’s the copper that goes first. The only thing I can think of was extra moisture that was in the bell housing slowly made its way to the ball valve and freezing. With the slow expansion of ice gathering it finally burst. The ball valve may have been slightly opened at the time they blew out sprinklers. Thanks for watching!
The ball valve in the off position is still holding water inside of the ball itself even when water is drained from the pipes before and after it. That water when it freezes will expand and crack the brass valve body. When winterizing a PVB just make sure after draining the inlet and outlet pipes, turn both ball valves in the on position once again to release the trapped water in them.
@@vinnythehandyman My experience also found the ball housing cracked, as most online videos have shown, and I suspect the ball retains some water even if at the recommended 45 position, and that freezes within the tight space, whereas in the main pipe, some remaining water can freeze and just expand into the air space without issue. At least the valves can be replaced separately from the primary backflow itself.
What if those little ball valve are leaking on the side of the backflow precentor? One of mines is leaking even though they are closed face up and down.
You may just need to turn to tighten up. If that doesn’t fix it you may need a new valve anyway.
Are the smaller blue handle valves replaceable if they leak ?
Hi Sergio! Yes they are replaceable. They screw on the Back-flow valve. Just make sure you use plumbers tape.
After 3 years of the plastic bonnet float pieces breaking during the winter (even after winterizing) i triple to quadruple winterize the whole system and then when i went to turn it on,water was gushing again. then i realized the ball valve was completely cracked... i may repair it this one last time after this i think its time to go turf.
You can probably add a 3/4” 90 with a drain plug at the bottom to help drain any moisture in the winter.
@vinnythehandyman thanks for tip. Also if you don't have a quick disconnect nut, is there and kind of adapter fittings to use?
@vinnythehandyman thanks for tip. Also if you don't have a quick disconnect nut, is there and kind of adapter fittings to use?
@@xxtwobitxx I would just solder and use a union adapter only. This allows for quick disconnect. You can use a sharkbite fitting but can’t concubine long the plastic will hold due to weather conditions. You might get a 2-3 seasons out of the fitting.
Teflon tape..