Checking in again from Houston...who's upset because they don't have power and water. I'm checking in from Houston?? Who else is here? Lol...he said that he wanted to make this video as quickly as possible then starts explaining everything. Get to the point sir lol, but good video
Thank you for this information. Had to shut off the sprinkler system during a freeze in Houston and your video helped me to complete the task correctly.
Thank you for the tip. I had no idea about this and will put this tip into a good use. Thank you for taking the time to put this together for us all to watch and learn from. 😊
First shut off the water supply from the house. Open all of the valves and drain as much water as you can. Then leave them open 1/4 turn. Closing them all the way traps water=frost break=$$$$. Find whatever you can for insulation and pack it around your backflow preventer and above ground pipe. I've used swimming pool noodles, blankets, whatever. That should get you through the cold snap. For an extreme / extended cold snap you should beg, steal, rent or borrow an air compressor, even a small one will do. Shut off water supply from the house. On this system close the bottom ball valve (blue vertical valve going in). This system doesn't appear to have a blowout valve so attach compressor to bottom (brass) stopcock valve on backflow preventer. This isn't ideal, but will do in an emergency. You may need fitting from hardware store. Open bottom stopcock with compressor attached, close top stop cock, open horizontal (blue handle) ball valve going out to lawn. Open a zone valve for sprinklers. Turn on compressor and wait for sprinklers to blow air. If you have a tiny compressor you may need to wait until pressure builds. Do all zones. Leave all valves on backflow preventer open 1/4 turn when you're done.
Yeah I would need a video for that. This is why dumb people don't make it, I'm a new home owner and that was too complicated for me. I thought I was just supposed to do what's in this video?
This is a great video so thanks for that. I have a question though. At the end you mention to run sprinkler system to run the water out of the underground lines. My question is: do you have to run all stations and for how long do you run them? Just want to make sure so I don’t ruin any of the valves by running it dry. Thanks ahead of time for explaining this.
@Laurie Whittle Yes running all sprinkler zone/station is better. We just want to be sure to remove as much water from all pipes. After you turn of / bleed the backflow system, you can just run each zone for 30 seconds to 1 minute, that will empty water and relieve pressure. Thanks for watching.
@DIY GEEK - Just wanted to let you know, you turned the first valve Horizontally not Vertically, and I'm not giving you crap Just wanted to let you know Brother and Thanks for the video 👍🏼👍🏼
That was my main thought as well. There is no reason to keep them closed. That is assuming that your main inlet valve has another valve further upstream closer to the ground. The outlet valve has no purpose on being closed. Also why would you not let the bleed valves on the backflow preventer stay open?
@MrOCHOYA Back-flow preventers usually protects a certain system, in most cases a sprinkler system. Bleeding and shutting off a sprinkler backflow preventer should not affect your house. If your house was built right.. yes, you should still have water supply to your house.
If water keeps bleeding (after a few minutes) after all shut-off valve has been set to shut (perpendicular)... you may have a broken / leaking shut-off valve
Hoping you can answer my question. My sprinkler system is in need of repair, so I have all three valves shut off - the two valves on the back flow preventer and the valve by the sprinkler system on the other side of the fence. With the water supply valve off, is there any reason for me to open the other two valves, or is ok to leave then closed?
The Houston, Texas 2021 ice storm got mine cracked right at the supply valve. I did the bleeding, turned off everything, wrapped it in two beach towels, and covered it in a trash bag. Still got a crack at the supply valve... Is there a temporary crack fix until I can get the sprinkler guys here? Very very slow drip.
If the backflow plastic valve itself was damaged (crack) slow drip, it is best just to keep the supply valve shut and not use your sprinkler system for about a week until you can get the replacement part. Is it a Febco 765-1? If yes i have a video for quick and easy replacement: th-cam.com/video/223KLKAOP24/w-d-xo.html
If you sprinkler valve box constant holds water (floods) you probably have a leak in the valve(s) container in there. Drain the water and you should be able to see the leak or if the water star to rise again. If the leak is very small try to wipe dry the valve using towel and spray soapy water to detect where the leak is.
Our sprinkler system is 24 years old. When we tried to turn it on this spring, there was a leak between the backflow preventer (the part that you turn the screw in to shut off the water) and the housing, We tried to tighten it, and the part that screws in broke right off the housing and the screw is still stuck in there. Is there a way to get it out so I can screw in a replacement part? Or, do I need to replace the entire backflow perventer system??
Sorry but this explanation will still result in damage. Look up Trevorgom's explanation below for a better way. Not perfect but a Lot better than this guy's.
50% of this video is useless and a poor explanation of a backflow preventer. Also, the pipes aren’t generally steel - when ice forms and expands the small inner surface area causes that much pressure to be exerted breaking it at the weakest spot.
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Thanks!!
My backflow preventer just busted, bought using your link
Back again watching this video after last year's freeze in Houston! Praying everyone stays safe!🙏🏼
Checking in again from Houston...who's upset because they don't have power and water. I'm checking in from Houston?? Who else is here? Lol...he said that he wanted to make this video as quickly as possible then starts explaining everything. Get to the point sir lol, but good video
You provided the best instruction on bleeding back-flow preventer so far! Thanks for this.
Thank you for watching and your nice comment
The temperature is about to plummet to 8 F in my area, your video helped me get my backflow preventer ready. Thank you!
Your video is the clearest and easiest to follow. Thanks
Who else in Houston looking this up before the freeze....😬😩
Same here ... lol
Yep
I am lol
Me!! Had to repair my backflip preventer before. It’s not cheap
Me. Mine has always froze and broke even with insulation but I never bled the damn thing!
Dropping a comment to say thanks! First-time homeowner in Houston here - stay warm these next few days!
@Rolando E Robles Hi, I am from Houston too! Congrats on being first-time homeowner! Stay warm!
Thank you for this information. Had to shut off the sprinkler system during a freeze in Houston and your video helped me to complete the task correctly.
Exactly what I needed before the freeze. Thank You!!!
Thanks for your comment, I actually just bleed my back-flow preventer again last night
Thank you for the tip. I had no idea about this and will put this tip into a good use. Thank you for taking the time to put this together for us all to watch and learn from. 😊
Just got my backflow preventer bleed after watching this video, easier than i thought LOL thanks
Glad it helped. Thanks for watching
Easiest instruction how to bleed backflow preventer yet, thanks
I got lucky to see your insruction which fit my pipe and valves almost exactly. Very helpful!!
Super helpful. Clear and easy. Thank you.
Excellent video. After the freeze has destroyed my back flow valve twice while insulated, I will tame this extra step.
I wish I would found your video sooner and would have bleed my back-flow preventer, mine just froze and crack yesterday,
Sorry to hear about your pipe broke.
Best instruction how to bleed backflow preventer. 🙏
First shut off the water supply from the house. Open all of the valves and drain as much water as you can. Then leave them open 1/4 turn. Closing them all the way traps water=frost break=$$$$. Find whatever you can for insulation and pack it around your backflow preventer and above ground pipe. I've used swimming pool noodles, blankets, whatever. That should get you through the cold snap.
For an extreme / extended cold snap you should beg, steal, rent or borrow an air compressor, even a small one will do. Shut off water supply from the house. On this system close the bottom ball valve (blue vertical valve going in). This system doesn't appear to have a blowout valve so attach compressor to bottom (brass) stopcock valve on backflow preventer. This isn't ideal, but will do in an emergency. You may need fitting from hardware store. Open bottom stopcock with compressor attached, close top stop cock, open horizontal (blue handle) ball valve going out to lawn. Open a zone valve for sprinklers. Turn on compressor and wait for sprinklers to blow air. If you have a tiny compressor you may need to wait until pressure builds. Do all zones. Leave all valves on backflow preventer open 1/4 turn when you're done.
This!!
Yeah I would need a video for that. This is why dumb people don't make it, I'm a new home owner and that was too complicated for me. I thought I was just supposed to do what's in this video?
Thank you. I need to do this and had no idea.
Hello Houston, it’s that time of the year again. Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you! It's going to get down to 11 degrees here in Houston in a few days. This was very helpful.
@Mr. Ken thanks for watching - I am in Katy (Houston) as well :-) Stay warm.
Great instruction! Thank you!!!
This is a great video so thanks for that. I have a question though. At the end you mention to run sprinkler system to run the water out of the underground lines. My question is: do you have to run all stations and for how long do you run them? Just want to make sure so I don’t ruin any of the valves by running it dry. Thanks ahead of time for explaining this.
@Laurie Whittle Yes running all sprinkler zone/station is better. We just want to be sure to remove as much water from all pipes. After you turn of / bleed the backflow system, you can just run each zone for 30 seconds to 1 minute, that will empty water and relieve pressure. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for this video
Just bleed my backflow preventer following your video - thanks bro!
Thank you! Just what I needed today.
Good explanation. Thanks alot
Thank You sir...wonderfully explained.
FANTASTIC!!! I SO wish I had watched this very simple video 5 days ago. UGH!!! We have water running down the damn sidewalk!!!!!
Sorry about your pipe / back-flow. Good to know for next freeze though! Thanks for watching 🙏
We live in Pearland. Please recommend a good sprinkler repair company?
@@vma5221 I live in Katy, I know a good sprinkler guy, I doubt he will drive to Pearland though, sorry.
When he finally put it to words 😅 it was elite instruction
Great video! Thank you!
Wish I knew this last week
@Dee Jay sorry to hear that... at least you know for the future.
Thanks bro. Video I been looking for. Thanks
@DIY GEEK - Just wanted to let you know, you turned the first valve Horizontally not Vertically, and I'm not giving you crap Just wanted to let you know Brother and Thanks for the video 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for the info!
Very clear thanks
Now I know. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you so much!🥰
@bgmccrea thanks for watching - stay warm
Thank you for this!!
Thanks!!!!!
Here in New Jersey u need to use an air compressor to blow out the preventer and sprinklers as well. This procedure does not eliminate all the water
Thank you!
I was going to send this to you, lol!
Great advice just a little longwinded....need to get to the point...123 approach...but overall very useful video
Do I have to bleed when I cover / blanket my backflow preventer?
Solid instruction
Might as well leave the valves cracked open so any water can expand if it freezes. No reason to close them and take the risk.
My thought as well
That was my main thought as well. There is no reason to keep them closed. That is assuming that your main inlet valve has another valve further upstream closer to the ground. The outlet valve has no purpose on being closed. Also why would you not let the bleed valves on the backflow preventer stay open?
Awesome video thank you sir!!!
If i kelp the valve close its going to be water inside of my house?
@MrOCHOYA Back-flow preventers usually protects a certain system, in most cases a sprinkler system. Bleeding and shutting off a sprinkler backflow preventer should not affect your house. If your house was built right.. yes, you should still have water supply to your house.
Why mine the water keeps bleeding on the check valve even after turned off both supply and second valves?
If water keeps bleeding (after a few minutes) after all shut-off valve has been set to shut (perpendicular)... you may have a broken / leaking shut-off valve
Everyone since the 40 year freeze of 2021!
Hoping you can answer my question. My sprinkler system is in need of repair, so I have all three valves shut off - the two valves on the back flow preventer and the valve by the sprinkler system on the other side of the fence. With the water supply valve off, is there any reason for me to open the other two valves, or is ok to leave then closed?
The Houston, Texas 2021 ice storm got mine cracked right at the supply valve. I did the bleeding, turned off everything, wrapped it in two beach towels, and covered it in a trash bag. Still got a crack at the supply valve... Is there a temporary crack fix until I can get the sprinkler guys here? Very very slow drip.
If the backflow plastic valve itself was damaged (crack) slow drip, it is best just to keep the supply valve shut and not use your sprinkler system for about a week until you can get the replacement part. Is it a Febco 765-1? If yes i have a video for quick and easy replacement: th-cam.com/video/223KLKAOP24/w-d-xo.html
Do they make any kind of insulated cover/socks that can cover this metal vacuum breaker?
@peanutbutter1925 You can buy a big insulated pouch cover like this one: amzn.to/3rtnUp6
@@DIYGEEKTEXAS I saw them and will get one, thanks
@@DIYGEEKTEXAS Thanks, I will check them out.
Hi DIY GEEK! What causes the sprinkler valve box to flood? I tried to to the bleeding.
If you sprinkler valve box constant holds water (floods) you probably have a leak in the valve(s) container in there. Drain the water and you should be able to see the leak or if the water star to rise again. If the leak is very small try to wipe dry the valve using towel and spray soapy water to detect where the leak is.
@@DIYGEEKTEXAS Thanks! Sorry for the late reply. You're right! It's already drained.
Our sprinkler system is 24 years old. When we tried to turn it on this spring, there was a leak between the backflow preventer (the part that you turn the screw in to shut off the water) and the housing, We tried to tighten it, and the part that screws in broke right off the housing and the screw is still stuck in there. Is there a way to get it out so I can screw in a replacement part? Or, do I need to replace the entire backflow perventer system??
How long do you bleed it for?
Most of the water will spray out (empties) in about 5 seconds.
So you didn't shut off the main water valve for the sprinklers?
I did. You have to shut off the water supply to the backflow preventer, which supplies water to your sprinkler valves.
Do you have to first turn off the water supply from the house?
No, it is usually separate from the water main intake
Me. Richmond
we did everything and the water is still coming out what do we do now? It is like the water is not cutting off.
Are you sure the supply valve is turned off. If it is, there will be no water pressure.
Sprinkler systems are a pain in the a$$
This is painful to watch.
English as a second language. Probably a government school teacher.
Sorry but this explanation will still result in damage. Look up Trevorgom's explanation below for a better way. Not perfect but a Lot better than this guy's.
50% of this video is useless and a poor explanation of a backflow preventer. Also, the pipes aren’t generally steel - when ice forms and expands the small inner surface area causes that much pressure to be exerted breaking it at the weakest spot.