Irrigation valve???

[ParadigmDawg]

I can't remember who the plumber is on here but I know you helped me before. Anyone is more than welcome to help, I just need help.

The day before I had to go out of town, we had a irrigation line break. I tried to do a quick fix but afterwards the funny manifold looking thing sprung a leak. Since I was in a hurry, I just cut it out and spliced a straight piece of PVC in place.

In my city, this thing has to be 15" above the ground but I thought it only was for the sprinkler system. Now when we flush the toilet or run the shower, the pipes in wall wall rattle like there is air in the lines. I think maybe this manifold thing is supposed to be in place.

Thoughts?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Nothing???????????????

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Hi their you found a plumber-- you do have to unscrew the faucet from the top, by the short piece you can barely get a pair of channel locks on, either that way or if you are careful you can take a hacksaw and split the rings and open them up with a screw driver. i dont know if i explaned it very well but let me know if you need any more help.

Kirk

That's as much help as I can be on this...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thanks man!

Looks like he hasn't posted since 11-29-2009. I may have to call a plumber but I hate spending money on things like that. Maybe I should just find a new manifold and put it back in.

That's as much help as I can be on this...

 

[Alex2507]

I may have to call a plumber but I hate spending money on things like that.

People feel like that about having me do stuff for them. They would rather live with wall patches that they can see a mile away and wood joints that you could drive a truck through.

Pay the plumber and ask him if he knows a good carpenter that you can hire just to supervise. We're great at that. What time is break?

Anyway, back to your manifold. Where's it leaking and can't you just fix the leak? Regarding the pipes rattling I'm going to guess that you need to strap/support the straight pipe you replaced the manifold with. I hate doing any work involving water. The zero tolerance for leaks is thing just stresses me out to much.

A friend of mine says that with plumbing he just tightens stuff down until it stops leaking. I fear that I'll just tighten stuff down until it breaks. See? I'm already stressed just thinking about it. I'm going to eat some comfort food now. Damn you, Greg Gable.

 

[TLS Guy]

I can't remember who the plumber is on here but I know you helped me before. Anyone is more than welcome to help, I just need help.

The day before I had to go out of town, we had a irrigation line break. I tried to do a quick fix but afterwards the funny manifold looking thing sprung a leak. Since I was in a hurry, I just cut it out and spliced a straight piece of PVC in place.

In my city, this thing has to be 15" above the ground but I thought it only was for the sprinkler system. Now when we flush the toilet or run the shower, the pipes in wall wall rattle like there is air in the lines. I think maybe this manifold thing is supposed to be in place.

Thoughts?

That looks like some type of pressure regulator valve, not a manifold. It seems there is an entry and an exit, and it is not a distribution device.

Have you noticed a change in water pressure? If you have I would replace it pretty soon!

 

[pzaur]

I'm with TLS on this. It looks like a pressure regulator. I'd want that to be installed...

-pat

 

[highfigh]

It looks like the leaks were on the valves (going by the mineral stains). If that's the case, just replace those but install a bronze union at each end to make servicing it easier, if and when the time comes again. Otherwise, replace the regulator and still use a union at the ends so you don't have to cut the lines to service it.

 

[Rickster71]

Greg, the pipe noise you hear is water hammer, due to the new high pressure.
So, when shutting off faucets, do it slowly to avoid that banging noise.
Water hammer can cause pipes to break in the wall.

As TLS suggested, I'd get this put back in place.
I would call a professional, for many reasons.
The first being, you have to used a primer and a glue that specifically formulated for that type PVC.
It looks like you cut the pipe too close to the connector and coupling, so it won't be just simply gluing a coupling in place.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I'm calling a pro.

 

[Alex2507]

I'm calling a pro.

Don't do it !!! That money could be spent on scotch !!!

 

[Shock]

That looks like some type of pressure regulator valve, not a manifold. It seems there is an entry and an exit, and it is not a distribution device.

Have you noticed a change in water pressure? If you have I would replace it pretty soon!

This is what I would guess. If the pipes are rattling then there is some sort of air lock in them, which is actually caused by not enough air getting into the system. Are your drains draining slowly?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Drains are normal. Water pressure seems the same but the rattle for sure started after I removed the back flow regulator.

This is what I would guess. If the pipes are rattling then there is some sort of air lock in them, which is actually caused by not enough air getting into the system. Are your drains draining slowly?

 

[TLS Guy]

Drains are normal. Water pressure seems the same but the rattle for sure started after I removed the back flow regulator.

I have been busy with the grandchildren this weekend. However now I understand your system after getting a few moments to myself.

What you have is a Febco 860 reduced pressure double check back valve. This is the 1". It also comes in a 1 1/2".

Now these type of systems are mandatory by law, so you and your family do not get sick from soil organisms.

The function of these devices is three fold.

It stops your house water pipes draining back into the irrigation system. That is why you have the noise in your pipes, as they are filling with air.

The next and most important function is to stop your house water system becoming contaminated with dangerous soil organisms.

The third function is to regulate the pressure in your irrigation system.

Here is an article that explains all this.

Here is more details on your system.

Immediately, I would cap the end of the pipe that goes to your house.

Have a plumber fix this problem.

You will need to take expert advice in how to sanitize your house plumbing. In the meantime BOIL ALL DRINKING WATER.

Have you had any freezing? If you have this may be the cause of your problem. These valves have to be drained for temps below 32 F.