Question on Watts 009QT Backflow preventer valve

[Mike Rock]

Hi all. I made a visit this past Saturday to the apartment building I manage to check on the steam boiler , and walked into boiler room to find big puddle on the floor with water spitting out of the Watts 009QT backflow preventer valve that is connected to the water feed.
I believe this valve is approx. 10 years old.

I tried to take it apart and clean it out, but it actually got worse after I put it back together, so I said screw it. I went to the supply house nearby, picked up another one, installed , all done. No big deal, but now I am starting to wonder.

Usually when the heating season is done, I shut down the boiler and turn off the gas. I am wondering now if I should also turn off the water feed going into the backflow preventer, drain the valve it and relieve the pressure, so I can prolong its life.

In the past , I had never turned off the feed to the backflow, so it was always "charged " with pressure year round.

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

All those valves are repairable and typically the bypass gets a piece of debris in it that can be cleaned and reinstalled.

I don't have direct experience doing what you suggest, but those valves are designed to last a long time without shutting them down. Contact with air might dry the rubber seats would be my concern.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Mike Rock]

All those valves are repairable and typically the bypass gets a piece of debris in it that can be cleaned and reinstalled.

I don't have direct experience doing what you suggest, but those valves are designed to last a long time without shutting them down. Contact with air might dry the rubber seats would be my concern.

Yes, that is what I thought of as well, the rubber drying out. I really did not have time to research that day on how to clean it out, it was actually easier for me to just change it out altogether.
I am going to look into purchasing a rebuild kit and just keeping it handy in the boiler room just in case it happens again in the future

 

[Sylvan]

The DEP requires the backflow preventer to be tested yearly by a person who holds a valid backflow testing license and they are the only ones authorized to make repairs

From what I was told this is a statewide code requirement

When I send my employee out to do a yearly boiler inspection he also tests all the backflow devices in the building

LI I hired a guy he was charging $75.00 per device much cheaper then we charge in NYC

 

[Fitter30]

In Missouri have to licenced by the state. Some counties and cities need state and their licence to repair and install. If a replacement is necessary it has to be brought up to code.