This Thingy on My Backflow Assembly is Called a Test Cock
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
- I briefly explain these little valves on the side (or top) of a backflow assembly and what they are for and what to do if water comes shooting out of them.
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![How to Winterize Your Irrigation System [Blowout Method]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ole0Tgc-QAM/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for this. I now understand why it's only 1/4 turn.
Thank you! This was super helpful
Thanks Sean.
Awesome video. This really helps.
Thank you for a clear explanation. Your videos help a lot
Thank you!
Thanks. That was quick and spot on !!!
Thank you! Very helpful video!
really helpful. Thank you very much.
Thank you! This video was very help. I currently trying to trouble shoot my dripping test cock. My sprinkler system was shut off about a month ago. Could they have caused this drip? They’re suppose to go come out tomorrow but said I would be charged depending or not if they decide if the caused the leak or not. My guess is they’ll at it isn’t their fault and I’ll be charged. I’m trying to avoid that... so if I can cancel and fix myself, that’d be great!
Hi there, I am trying to blow out my sprinkler system through a test cock. What is the name of of the attachment that connects the test cocks to the compressor?
You need a compression fitting for your compressor. I am not an expert on compressor fittings but the kits I have seen they are just 1/4" male thread which will thread into the test cock (the female ones). If you have a test cock with the male threads you need to either get a female test cock or make a set up to put in where the test cock threads into the body and will connect to your compressor fitting.
With all that said, know none of the manufacturers of backflow assemblies recommend blowing out through the backflow assembly. People do it. But it can cause damage to the components in the assembly.
Depending on what model backflow assembly you have there are ways to drain it and it doesn't need to be blown out. Blow outs are more for the sprinkler system.
Thank you! I am trying to blow out a sprinkler system and since this is the only connection we have (before backflow), I have to use it. Appreciate your reply!
Which direction should the test cock inside my home be going? Should it be parallel or perpendicular to the water line? Currently it’s parallel
if the screw slot is turned in line with the flow out the testcock that is open. If the slot is turned across the test cock it is off.
Every quarter turn is open close. It doesn't tighten, it is just a ball valve you are turning on and off. If water is coming out of it turn it a quarter turn either way. If it turns the water off leave it there .
If you need to call me you can. 801-355-6736
I got a notice that the test of my backflow prevention assembly failed. The notice said "Assembly Untestable: Test Cocks #1-4" Could you help me know what that means?
Sorry for the delay in responding. I can only assume that the tester is indicating that there is an issue with the test cocks. Have you tried taking a screwdriver out and turning the screw to see if they turn or not? Every quarter turn is open close. It does not tighten. Just open and closes a small ball inside. Please check that and get back to me. It might be best to email me at sean@backflow-supply.com or call me at 801-355-6736. I check these comments on TH-cam about once a day.
I live in southern NC region and am winterizing my irrigation system. I have cut off my irrigation water supply and have been told to bleed the water from the test cocks. Then was told to leave all the test cocks and inlet/outlet valves open to 45deg thru winter plus wrap the assembly and piping. However, one or 2 of my test cocks keep dripping water. Is this normal? I wrapped everything but left it so the water could continue to drip. Temps expected to get down to 25deg for a couple of nights so I want to make sure I've done this right.
Kelly, sorry for the delay in responding. No the test cocks shouldn't continue to leak. If they do I would imagine the shut off from the sprinkler is not shutting off tight. However, this may work to your favor if water is leaking through the test cocks it won't allow it to freeze solid.
I am not sure what you wrapped it with, but if the test cock is still leaking and it gets the wrapping wet you may end up creating an ice cube around your assembly. Even if the test cock stops leaking and the wrapping doesn't get wet an insulated assembly without a heat source will eventually get to be the same temp inside the wrap as it is outside the wrap. They do make insulated bags for this purpose as sometimes you just need to make it through a short freeze.
You may not need this any longer, but wanted to respond. If you still need me , email me at sean@backflow-supply.com or call 801-355-6736.
So what is the purpose of the test cocks? Are they for attaching a meter to to figure out pressure?
Stephen, they are there for testing the backflow to make sure it is working properly. That is why they are called test cocks. But they also have a few other purposes. One is on an RP version when you open them up it opens the assembly to atmosphere and allows the relief valve to open and drain most of the water out of the body. This is useful when you need to open the assembly to work on it.
Also for some models it helps to pull the checks out and put them back so that you are not fitting air pressure.
You can use them to put a gauge on to test your pressure.
They can be used for troubleshooting the assembly as well.
Lastly, and not recommended but they are used for hooking the compressor up to blow out the sprinkler system.
Is there any way to secure the testcock to prevent vandals from opening testcock and allowing water to shoot out?
Rich, I do not know how I missed this question. I check this channel and I didn't see it in the feed. So sorry.
No, I don't know of anything designed to stop this. I am not sure if you have a female or male ended test cock. If it is female find a male plug that has to be wrenched in and out. If it is male then find a flair nut that can be tightened on with a wrench.
The only other thing I can only tell you is to put a cage or a enclosure over it, or find an insulated bag that you can put over it and padlock it. If you need help with that, call me or email me. sean@backflow-supply.com 801-355-6736
why we provide shut-off valve before and after the Double Check Valve Assembly?
This is to allow for testing the backflow assembly and for convenience of working on the assembly. I would also suggest that sometimes one or the other gets hard to turn or breaks and it is helpful to have one that shuts off until you get it replaced.
Hi my metal ball valve have a test cock on it
Can I replace it with metal ball valve without a test cock on it ???
I think you are asking about a ball valve on a backflow assembly, typically the inlet only would have the test cock on it. It should be replaced with the same ball valve with the test cock as that is how they are approved.
I have a few questions, hopefully you might be able to give me some advice. I live in FL and I work for a pressure washing company. I have adapters that I screw into these test cocks and hook my garden hose that feeds straight into my 525 gallon water tank on my trailer. My two 8gpm pressure washers then pull from my water tank. Around 2 years ago I was hooked up to a backflow preventer while a county worker was repairing the neighboring backflow preventer. He told me not to EVER use the one test cock that was singled out on the far right side. He said the other 3 (in the middle of the backflow preventer body) were fine to use. After being told this (I would rarely connect to test cocks to fill water, only would I connect if the houses water pressure was too weak) I started using the backflow preventers more frequently (much better water pressure) once I was told by this county worker that it was okay to use. Then I had a few other encounters with other county workers. 2 different county workers have told me there is a $500 fine for tampering with a backflow preventer. My main issue is I can not find information from my county ANYWHERE (online) about this. The only info I could find about my county and or state is a backflow preventer can only be installed or repaired by the county, a licensed plumber OR South Florida Water Management. I don't understand what the issue is because my water tank on my trailer has a shut off for when it gets full, so there should be no backflow going into the backflow preventer since I do not hook my pressure washers up directly to it. So to summarize my questions: 1. Do you think I am legally allowed to connect to these to fill water? 2. If I am legally allowed to do this, is it a bad idea? (my understanding is that if the backflow preventer does not work properly and I contaminate the water that's potentially a $10,000 fine) 3. Why is there a singled out test cock on the right side while three are right next to each other in the middle? If you need any other info let me know I may be able to provide that. Also I know this was a lot to read and if you don't respond I don't blame ya. I just can't figure out if there really is a need to be a licensed plumber, work for my county, or work for water management to be allowed to touch these backflow preventers at all. Thank you for your time if you did read all this!!!
Thank you!