How Professionals Fix A Backflow Preventer Leaking In The Sprinkler System

 

Backflow preventers are devices that thwart water from going the wrong way in your plumbing and drainage system. Backflows are usually caused by cross-connections, back siphonage or back pressure. Cross-connections are parts of the plumbing system where clean water lines and drainage lines meet. Back siphonage occurs when the pressure in the clean water supply line is lower than the pressure in the drainage line. Back pressure, meanwhile, happens when there is a sudden presence of high pressure in the clean water system. An example of this is when fire trucks use the water hydrants to put out fire.

Because of backflow preventers, the contamination of water is avoided. They are installed in strategic locations in your property such areas where water may pool or in sprinkler systems. You should also be aware that these devices are not immune to leaking.  If your sprinkler system’s backflow preventer is leaking at the moment, call a licensed plumber to fix it for you. Here’s how professional plumbers take care of this problem.

1. The ball valves on the breaker are both turned 90 degrees clockwise. Doing so turns off the water supply.

2. The bonnet cap, the black-colored lid on top of the breaker assembly, will be unscrewed.

3. Afterward, the bonnet O-ring will be pulled out around the rim’s edge. The ring will be inspected and replaced if found damaged. If the ring is not damaged, it will just be put back in place.

4. Next, the vent assembly will be pulled out. It’s the first component found inside the breaker.

5. Once the vent assembly is pulled out, the retainer clip will be inspected, too. It will be rotated 90 degrees in order to release the check spring. The spring will then be removed and the disc assembly found underneath it will be inspected, too.

6. The new disc assembly will be inserted and placed at the bottom of the breaker. The spring will be placed next, followed by the spring retainer clip.

7. The clip will be turned 90 degrees counterclockwise until it’s secure and tight at the base.

8. Afterward, put the vent back in. The bonnet cap will be secured manually until it’s tight.

9. Finally, the ball valves will be moved 90 degrees counterclockwise. Doing so will let water get into the system again. Take note that you may see a leak coming from the breaker while waiting for the system to pressurize.

We hope that you learned how professionals fix a backflow preventer leaking in the sprinkler system. If your backflow preventer is leaking, just call a reliable Plumbers 911 plumbing contractor to fix it for you. Plumbers 911 Boston provides top-notch plumbing services in MA including backflow prevention, drain cleaning, camera sewer inspection, hydrojetting, leak detection and many more! Call us at 877-755-0092 to schedule a service!