Watts back flow preventers

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Bleed from all of the test valves thoroughly. Backflow preventers are prone to leaks/discharges if the least bit of air is trapped inside them.

Paul Fredricks_3

Leaks?

This may have been bounced around before. We use the watts back flow preventer on boiler installs and it seems like at least once a month, one starts leaking. Now I can understand if the house pressure drops, it does it's thing and then can't reseat due to a piece of dirt, but this isn't the case. Our guys install the boiler, pack up, get about 10 minutes down the road, and the customer calls, not very happy, because there is a leak. The BFP was fine when they left, but now it's dripping. Anyone no a solution or had better luck with another brand?

ALH_4

Caleffi

Caleffi has a nice one.

Robert O'Brien

Same thing

a day,a week,a month later it leaks. I switched to these:
http://www.watts.com/pro/_productsFull_tree.asp?catId=65&parCat=95&pid=877&ref=2

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

aaron_4

Series 009 Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies

We can't use those out here in Washington. We have to use these and every year they have to be tested.

http://www.watts.com/pro/_productsFull_tree.asp?catId=65&parCat=99&pid=895&ref=2

Paul Fredricks_3

These are the little 1/2" ones. No test ports on them.

Paul Fredricks_3

That's the one you have to put on residential boilers? And they have to be tested every year? Just a guess, but I wouldn't think too any are tested if that is the case.

BillW@honeywell

Ours are available in the following sizes...

BP900 1/2 inch BP901 3/4 inch and a double check with vacuum breaker, 1/2" BP910. All NPT and ASSE 1024 certified. Available from any Honeywell distributor.

Unknown

99 % of BFP

Leaks and money losing callbacks... Esp the watts brands... I just take them out as I NEVER had plms with the pressure reducing valves going bad...

FredR

I found out recently here NJ they do not accept BFP by itself,must also install a check. I am removing the BFP and going with the check,cheaper and quicker.

Dave_4

In Pa, they must vent to the Atmosphere. I always use the Honeywell FM911 combo with the pressure reducer and backflow preventer. Haven't had one leak yet, Knock on wood!

Rob

aaron_4

Paul

Yes, we have to put them on all residential boilers and Yes they have to be tested every year. The city of seattle will send the HO a letter about it first one is nice after that they start talking about shuting off the water to the house. So yes, they do get tested if the city knows about them. They need them on lawn sprinkler systems to and its the same deal.

Glenn Sossin_2

Got to be joking.

What a waste of time and money. They make you install that a 009 on a boiler feed? Too many inspectors want to play G-D. As far as I'm concerned, they're plumbers who couldn't make it in their trade and now want to show how brillant and knowlegeable they are by requesting something like that. The double checks like the Wilkins 700 or the watts 7 work just fine.

I just heard from a customer of mine that an inspector knocked down a plumbing inspection because of a poor caulking job on the tub. The plumber asks - why are you failing me for this? I didn't do it, and it's not a part of the plumbing system. The inspectors answer ... (I'm sorry but this is the lamest thing I've heard to date) .. something along the lines of - It's a potential source of a leak.

This guy needs to be strung out under an operating shower head, atleast 6gpm of cold water, in cold weather, for a few hours, infront of city hall. Maybe if his brain is water logged, it might work better.

Sounds like somebody is greasing the slide out there in Washington

Unknown

I agrreed...

Did this boiler replacement and didint have the required BFP since the supply house were out of it ( too many "warrenty" replacement) and was getting cold so I got the heat going... The so called inspector from the city looked over the unit and said " nice furnace replacement job, where do ya replace the air filter? " I refrains myself from kicking his rear end while he was bending over looking for the furance filter housing... That job still doesn't have the bs bfp and the ONLY one I didn't have to go back due to leaky or won't open when needed...

Todd_27

Backflows leaking

We had a "rash" of these. I was told to put a check valve on the inlet to the BFP to keep constant pressure against the BFP. It seems if the house pressure fluctuates too much, the BFP thinks its backflowing, and will leak out the vent.

mtfallsmikey

Todd's on the right track

Backflow preventers like to have constant flow thru them. Here in Va. only seen RPZ's used on commercial boilers. Dual check type is the way to go.

Steverino

Dave Yates offered...

the following no too long ago:
http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&Thread_ID=45971&mc=14
Hope this is the solution.