RP4A and RP40 Winterization

In this video I specifically address the need to make sure the relief valve is drained on the Conbraco/Apollo RP4A and RP40's 2" and smaller.
It is my theory that the water not being drained is what is causing the damage to relief valve stems being cracked and broken as well as on the RP4A 1" and smaller having the relief valve cover bow resulting in spraying or misting coming from between the cover plate and the body of the assembly.
Here is more general information on winterizing the backflow in a video I did previously. • How to Winterize Your ...

[@jakekresser7811]

Thanks for posting these videos. You helped me with this very issue with my RP4A last summer and saved me $$. I stumbled upon your videos this spring as I researching another issue I was having with the unit. One of these videos helped me understand the internal parts and how to open & clean out the debris to get things working again. You are a life-saver! Thanks for all that you do.

[@zroverz]

luckily I live near SLC. After watching this video I stopped by your shop and chatted with you and you gave me some great advice. I'll purchase my parts from you.

[@bruceajohnson9069]

Great video Sean, thanks & keep them coming.

[@keithschuster]

this was great info. I didn't think I needed to take the relief valve apart. I've been watching water come out from where that gasket is for sometime. I don't think its related to weather. I followed ur steps and there was dirt in there... not much but it was there. If there's dirt in there could that cause a persistent drip from that area?

[@backflowsupplyslcut9394]

Keith, which model do you have? What size do you have? What gasket are you referring to? Is it the one under the cover? 1" and smaller for the RP40 it is round with six bolts I think it is and the RP4A it is square with four bolts.
Is the drip coming from where the cover bolts to the body with the diaphragm in between? Or is it dripping out of the actual relief valve opening, and I think it says "vent" on the side of the brass?
Let me know. If you want to call me you can, 801-355-6736. Email, [e-mail]

[@LunkerFishing]

I am in Central Florida and we do not freeze here, usually. I am going to make a comment that as a parts seller you will understand, even if you do not agree. As a technician owning my own business, trying to control costs for my customers was my pet peeve.
Watts assemblies when they need service does not let you buy parts individually as does Wilkins. What does that mean? It means to repair a Watts, and all of their other sub-names, you have to buy kits that include many parts you do not need that greatly inflate the cost of that repair. In addition most Watts assemblies do not hold up well over time and need much more service than does the Wilkins line and a high percentage of the time the Watts line has problems even after installing new parts. That was so prevalent over time I refused to repair a Watts and told my customers to replace the assembly with a Wilkins because it was often cheaper that attempting to repair a Watts that would still not pass the test after the repair. On some Watts you need to disturb the Relief Valve that was not causing an issue to replace some of the check valve rubbers. That makes no sense and some models, like you show in this video, have changed their design to make the relief valve a separate repair but there are plenty of the other Watts design still out there.
While I certainly could to that install I eventually stopped doing them because I found it better for me to only do repairs than to re-plum a new assembly. Because of that a customer used someone else to install the new valve assembly so they knew the advice I was giving them was not based on me making money off them by pushing a new assembly rather than a repair. I gave up lots of work doing that but found it better for me in the long run.
Good video though Sean.

[@backflowsupplyslcut9394]

Thanks for the honest feed back. It is important to hear the good, bad and the ugly!

[@julieg7056]

I have the RP4A for an automatic fill for the pool. How would I winterize it if I need it year round? This year it froze and is currently leaking.

[@backflowsupplyslcut9394]

If you need it year round you may need to look at getting an enclosure to put over it. I don't know how cold it gets, but you may need just insulation or insulation and heat. If you just insulate it, it will only slow down the freezing process. I assume your backflow is outside and they make fake rocks and just simple covers to cover these and there are several options. There are even just insulated bags to put over them. Call me if you want to talk more about your options. 801-355-6736 or email me so I can send you links and spec sheets. [e-mail]