How To: Replace Backflow Preventer

Products:
1" ZURN Pressure Breaker: amzn.to/45wR4br
1" Galvanized Union: amzn.to/3OJxBOS
Fake Rock (Large): amzn.to/45vRpev
Megatape (Gray): amzn.to/3WBXtxW
15" Adjustable Wrench: amzn.to/3oxeCMz
Pipe Wrench: amzn.to/3OIp5Q1

[@robertm4233]

Nice video, one thing I would do in addition is after installing the up pipe on the city water side turn the water on and blast any remaining debris out of the pipe. Good job. Thanks for taking us on the journey with you...

[@bakokat6982]

Best explanation, thank you .

[@DIYBRY]

@@bakokat6982 I appreciate it! Thanks for watching. Hopefully good enough to have earned me a new subscriber? 😉

[@paulbarnum1118]

Nice job! Mine cracked in the same place. One of the best DIY videos I’ve seen.

[@DIYBRY]

Thank you very much! I appreciate it! If you have not already, please consider subscribing for more DIY videos.

[@briancalkins2391]

@@DIYBRY They crack there because of the water left in the ball valve when you turn the handle off to 90 degrees. When you turn it 45 degrees the water will drain out of the center of the ball valve also. Take one apart someday and you'll see what I mean.

[@westbygodtbone]

Going to replace mine today. Thanks for the tips. And I enjoyed the humor along the way. Good job.

[@DIYBRY]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching!

[@ssjrichovr9k33]

Awesome job!!! You saved me over 1000 bucks. Keep posting brother

[@DIYBRY]

@@ssjrichovr9k33 Tubular! Glad to hear it! Hopefully I have earned myself a new subscriber! 😎

[@ssjrichovr9k33]

@DIYBRY yes you have brother.

[@DIYBRY]

@@ssjrichovr9k33 Bodacious!

[@bakokat6982]

Thank you for a clear explanation ..

[@rigobertofigueroa5992]

love your video the way to show all the steps, you make it look easy

[@DIYBRY]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching. If you wouldn’t mind, please like and subscribe!

[@livelovecode]

Great video. I have the exact backflow preventer. Going to do this today.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe 😎

[@JingsWorld]

Nice, and I like the guitars also. I’m just getting ready to upgrade mine but since it’s still good as they say if it’s not broke don’t fix. 👍

[@DIYBRY]

@@JingsWorld always nice to be prepared. Two of the guitars there, I sanded down a painted and updated the pickups and knobs when I was in jr. high. Thanks again for watching. Please subscribe! 😎

[@kennethgrant7385]

This is an incredible/detailed video. You made it look simple, probably won't be, but it's worth the try.

[@DIYBRY]

Glad to hear it. It’s easy with good wrenches :)

[@shoaibchaudhry964]

Loved your video, and sense of humor... Thank you for sharing... I have to change mine tomorrow due to low sprinkler pressure in all zones. Plumber estimates ranged from 800-1200..... so after watching this video, I have mustered up the courage to give it a shot :-) Only issue is mine is underground so a little confined on space... but thank you for giving me the courage 🙂

[@DIYBRY]

I am glad to hear it! I hope all goes well for you.

[@harishkorada-gr6ml]

Well done and nicely explained. Thank you.

[@DIYBRY]

Glad you help! Hopefully well enough done to earn a new subscriber? 😎

[@waltr6241]

It would be a wise move to do some maintenance and not wait until it does not work. . I would use a sch 80 plastic pipe and fittings to replace the metal pipe. Or sch 40

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for your suggestions for the community.

[@shoaibchaudhry964]

Not a good idea if it is outside, and temperature falls below 0 degrees C or 32 degrees F.

[@tashajackson1818]

Great video! Thank you DIY-Bry. Only one of my pressure relief valves is dripping even in the closed position. Trying to figure out if I can replace just that part only.

[@DIYBRY]

Guess it depends on which piece. I had a hard time finding pieces for the pressure relief valve. Just went with a whole new one.

[@tashajackson1818]

@@DIYBRY Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it!!!

[@jdmb03]

8:00 Use two adjustable wrenchs going in opposite directions.

[@DIYBRY]

@@jdmb03 didn’t have two that were big enough. Still would not have helped. I could not undo it when I tried putting it into my vice grip.

[@LY-up3qr]

Thank you. I was wondering how all threads are connected until you explained the union.

[@DIYBRY]

@@LY-up3qr Thanks for watching! Please subscribe! 😎

[@joe1071]

Thank you for this video. Wondering how the valve was placed after winterizing your backflow preventer that failed. Looks like the crack is right above the valve, suggesting you winterized, closed the valve and some water condensed or collected on top of the closed valve, freeze expand and crack etc, you know the rest. Whenever my system gets winterized they leave the valves at a 45 degree between open and closed and maybe that prevents the cracking above the valve? Anyway, just some thoughts to prevent future cracks

[@joe1071]

Another look, and the crack is right at the ball valve? So possibly water trapped in ball valve in closed position froze and cracked pipe?

[@DIYBRY]

They were left at 45, but those are beyond the area the crack formed.

[@joe1071]

Sweet. I like your garden bed edging. Did you install that?

[@felixsantana17]

That’s wild, you had to shut off the city water coming into your house from the street. My sprinkler system connects to the water supply in my house. So all I have to do is shut the water off in my home in the basement. Further to that we have a valve installed in my garage just prior to exiting my home so I can specifically shut off the water to the sprinkler system without turning off the water to my house.. Also, our entire sprinkler system is made out of PVC piping as opposed to steel piping. Stinks that you had to go through all of that to change the valve. I have found that they fail every five or six years, regardless of proper winterizing. But because of the way our system is designed it’s a 15 minute job at most. You did an awesome job documenting and placing this online online! This is most definitely a DIY job especially especially after watching your video!

[@DIYBRY]

@@felixsantana17 I am ok with having everything sprinkler related outside of my home. It’s less things in my home that could result in a water leak. If your entire system is PVC, I’m assuming then you live in a place that does not have harsh winters?

[@ScottZielske]

Great video!! Well done and very helpful!!

[@DIYBRY]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching! Subscribe!

[@jaganr4850]

very good DIY video. Appreciate your efforts

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching!

[@ScottsSuccessStuff]

Well done man! Thanks Loved the TWSS comment 😂

[@DIYBRY]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching. If you have not yet, consider subscribing. There is twss in many of my video. Kind of hard to DIY without it “coming up”. 😂

[@yiqinglan9009]

Very informative thanks 👍

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe 😎

[@warden41]

Could you not rotate the fittings on the valve so shutoff handles were facing away?

[@DIYBRY]

The back flow preventer comes pre-assembled and leak free. In order for the value handles to be on the other side, you would be to tighten or loosen the value, which could cause issue with damage to the threads or leaking. Would probably be better to redo the under ground connections, so you can spin the whole thing around, but that too will have an effect on the water pressure. In my situation, I could shorted the line from the city and Lengthen the irrigation side line, which would move the whole apparatus away from the foundation.

[@richvorp6686]

Thanks for making the video. With the frozen union I would have taken a Sawzall at the galvanized elbow on the city side of the water supply and replaced the elbow with the back flow unit. I found Superzilla works much better on rusted threads than WD-40 and probably would have loosened the Union, but I would have replaced everything like you did anyway. Thanks

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for your inputs for the community here. I’ll check out superzilla.

[@rockyshin1385]

👍👍✌️✌️👌👌👏👏 "I wish you are my neighbor"!!

[@DIYBRY]

Thank for watching! SUBSCRIBE! 👉

[@salvatorecolatrella5442]

great job details super helpful

[@DIYBRY]

Glad to be of help! Subscribe!

[@mrpajamapants001]

How has the new backflow preventer performed for you? Thinking of getting the same item in amazon.

[@DIYBRY]

So far, it has preformed well. No complaints here. This is the one I got: amzn.to/442O9a0

[@artgivinghope]

Thank you! Solved a mystery for me!

[@DIYBRY]

Glad to hear it. If you have not yet, please consider subscribing!

[@nouhem19]

Thanks for the tips. I am going to replace mine soon.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE!

[@jdmb03]

I have the Wilkins 420, replaced the parts kit, $75 and two cock valves, $30. The entire unit can be purchased for $210 on Amazon. Crazy how much they charge for the parts. I would replace the entire unit but don't want to deal with the hassle.

[@DIYBRY]

Hoping it all worked out for you. Thanks for watching.

[@FixItWithMe]

When do u need to use pipe dope vs just teflon tape? Also, do u put both pipe dope and teflon?

[@DIYBRY]

You can use both. I would say start with Teflon tape. If you can’t get a good seal, then try both. The pipe dope is pretty wicked, but can be effective.

[@Son_of_Aragorn]

Is there a difference between a 1 1/4 inch versus a 1 inch backflow preventer? My 1 inch busted due to the cold and needs to be replaced. Plumbing Co. that came out said we should consider upgrading to a 1 1/4 inch Febco. Would that really be an upgrade to our sprinkler system? The difference in cost is staggering (1 inch is around $135.....1 1/4 inch is around $800!). Thank you.

[@DIYBRY]

That would be referring to the size of pipe it is connecting to. If you had a 1”, stick with that same size.

[@Son_of_Aragorn]

@@DIYBRY Oh I see. Have you notice a big difference in cost with a 1-1/4 inch backflow preventer versus a 1 inch? I saw the 1" assemblies for around $135.......the 1-1/4" was around $800!

[@DIYBRY]

@@Son_of_Aragorn Don’t need to bother with that if you existing is 1”. Go with 1”

[@Son_of_Aragorn]

@@DIYBRY Thank you!!!!

[@MN-sn3tp]

My broke the same way! What could have been the case? i did winterize it too. Same brand i belive, marerial. Brass.

[@DIYBRY]

Guessing yours sits in the direct sunlight and yours gets wet from your sprinklers?

[@_backflowjoe]

Water was still in the ball when it was closed and then left in that closed position during the winter season. Next time you winterize the system make sure to position all of the ball valves at half open / half closed. That will allow the water that was trapped in the ball to drain out so it can't freeze and crack the side of the valve.

[@nathancarter1971]

Thanks for the video. It was very helpful.

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe!

[@VahidSheydaei-dr6gn]

Awesome video

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe! 😎

[@keithblanco2616]

I tried to do mine yesterday but i could not get the valve off due to the issue you had with the infinity threads. gotta figure that out as mine has no wiggle room.

[@DIYBRY]

Do you have a union piece?

[@TonyMontana-103Wvttz]

Also one this I would have done differently is with the Teflon tape put past for a better seal!💯👍 other than that, you went crazy my brudda! Foreal

[@DIYBRY]

I’m really liking pipe dope! Just used it for replacing my water heater gas line (stay tuned for new video to come)!

[@armandomadrigal9793]

left and right thread does exist , but only on gas, you can get a left and right nipple with a similar coupling , but only for gas

[@DIYBRY]

Yes, I figured that out. Thanks for the information for the community.

[@Juror-0]

Not sure where you live but a Lowe’s that charges almost $400 for the part is outrageous.

[@DIYBRY]

@@Juror-0 www.lowes.com/pd/Zurn-1-720A-Pressure-Vacuum-Breaker-Assembly-with-SAE-flare-test-fitting/5002185823 ($398.75)

[@Juror-0]

@@DIYBRY I wasn't' doubting you, just commenting that the price was excessive. I put your Lowes link into Home Depot and it was $233.

[@DIYBRY]

@ I figured the link might change for you depending on your location. I cannot upload a screenshot to attach in the comments. Are you in the United States?

[@FailuretoFitness]

Reciprocating and hack it in half and unthread

[@DIYBRY]

Almost resorted to that.

[@TonyMontana-103Wvttz]

Brother awesome content

[@silviacorona8212]

Good jab

[@real-edperez]

Why didn't you get Brass pipe instead of Galvanized. Brass would have lasted longer.

[@DIYBRY]

Was just replacing what was there, but thank you for the information for the community.

[@DeTar62]

$100 to certify it works and turn it on each season and $100 to turn it off. $200/yr just to have it. We never utilized it so I ripped out the control box and cut out most of the irrigation pipes.

[@DIYBRY]

@@DeTar62 You do you! Personally, I don’t know any one who has paid or does pay every year to have it certified. One would think that would be a service the city would do for homeowners to make sure the city water stays clean, etc. Consider it a service they should do because we’re paying property taxes. But, I don’t work in government. Many of the city rules, I think our bogus and it’s just a way for the city to nickel and dime everyone.

[@DeTar62]

@@DIYBRY yes, the State if Missouri wants to cash in on every little thing. We have the democrats to thank for that.

[@prawnstar9213]

The wiggle isn’t a huge problem.. don’t worry.. and then make backflow covers if you live in places with snow. It prevents corrosion

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for the information.

[@common_c3nts]

Dont use galvanized steel, it will just rust again. Use PVC.

[@DIYBRY]

@@common_c3nts Not in the cold winters we get here.

[@CaptCutlass]

The backflow valve / preventer does not get its water supply from the city, it's from the house which is where your drinking water is. So it prevents water from coming back from possible contamination in the sprinkler system to your house water AKA drinking water not the city water.

[@DIYBRY]

Perhaps where you live, the water enters your house before going out to your irrigation system. That is not the case for me. From the same water source from the city, right at the street, it splits into two lines. One goes to the house, the other to the irrigation system. For anything to get into the house, it would first have to meet the city line.

[@tylerselby240]

Wow

[@jimalcott760]

Do you have two water meters…? The reason I ask is that in the state of Ma water charges are different for water that has to be treated, rather than water that is used for lawns…

[@SulingClarinet]

Mine doesn't even have a galvanized union bolt. I might have to sweat the pipe.

[@DIYBRY]

🤔

[@SulingClarinet]

@DIY-BRY not a problem. I know how. Just hoping it would unscrew to make it easy

[@DIYBRY]

@@SulingClarinet If you feel comfortable, you could add one so it would be easier for you in the future.

[@SulingClarinet]

@DIY-BRY i might but it does a 90 degree into the house just below. I don't think there is room.

[@DIYBRY]

@@SulingClarinet Too bad KZbin does not let you attach images to conversations.

[@schebynonya8789]

You should have just opened the union and disassembled it in reverse....

[@DIYBRY]

If you were to watch the whole video, you would know that I was unable to open the union because it was rusted together. turns out it’s good that it happened this way, because I was able to replace all of the rusty parts, and show the viewers how to do it.

[@common_c3nts]

You dont need to reverse thread them. They needed to install a valve near the ground and two unions so you can remove it. It makes no sense that they did not install unions. LOL, there was one union already and you did not use it.. WHY?

[@DIYBRY]

@@common_c3nts Watch the whole video, dude.

[@Ana-bk4it]

It’s getting charge $600 to fix this reasonable?

[@DIYBRY]

If after watching this video, you feel confident doing it yourself, then no. ;)

[@azermashhood3060]

Incorrect way of opening. Open the union first and rotate tue entire assembly. You were luck you didn’t end up breaking the incoming or outgoing pipes

[@DIYBRY]

Rewatch! Pay attention the second time around. I could not get the union undone. Was rusted shut. Besides, I just replaced the entire assembly.

[@armandomadrigal9793]

you are so lucky that elbow in the ground didnt break

[@DIYBRY]

Would have just replaced it.

[@armandomadrigal9793]

you cant replace the shut off , you need that test cock to test the backflow, you should of gotten to big ass pipe wrenches undo it at the union, spin entire valve off

[@DIYBRY]

DIY = Work with what you’ve got. Thanks for the comment and view.

[@rockyshin1385]

👍👍👍

[@DIYBRY]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe! 😎

[@dang1861]

Galvanized pipe... what an ass pain. And unless it's an indoor faucet or something small, I always use pipe dope

[@DIYBRY]

@@dang1861 indeed!

[@coozbayt1021]

NO MUSIC PLEASE

[@DIYBRY]

@@coozbayt1021 feel free to make your own video, sans music!

[@realSamAndrew]

​@@DIYBRYI agree with the comment. He may have been abrupt, but he has the right idea. The music is totally unnecessary and actually subtracts from the production value. Many people on other videos say it is distracting and makes it hard to focus when the volume of the music competes with your narration.

[@DIYBRY]

@@realSamAndrew Solution: Mute and turn on subtitles 😉

[@realSamAndrew]

@@DIYBRY I did that. It's "less than satisfactory". Have you tried it?

[@DIYBRY]

@ Backing track it is then. I am toning down backing tracks in more recent videos. But KZbin does not allow for one to re-upload a new video file in place of the existing one. Since I don’t fancy removing this video, lose all its views, comments, shares, etc and have to do everything all over again, just to appease a small few. It quite literally is what it is. Like I often say. If you didn’t like my video. Feel free to go make your own. 😎

[@tubest8kdagreat]

you didnt need to spend 400 you could have bought anew ball valve you wasted money... this is why you should call a sprinkler tech...and all you needed was 2 wrences to get the union off lol ... always call a sprinkler tech

[@DIYBRY]

I didn’t spend $400. I said thats how much Lowes wanted. I bought a new backflow off Amazon, link in the description. I tied with two wrenches. Even after, I tried to open by putting it in a vice, still was not budging. I sprayed some penetrant and then it did come loose. It was very corroded, would not have wanted to reuse it anyways. I was just going to replace the one value, but the rest of it was pretty weathered too. Now it is all new. Thanks for the view though ;)

[@first2fight550]

Go UTES......... .

[@trtsllc8259]

It was seized because you still had pressure because you went backwards when bleeding pressure. I’m not a plumber either, but I’m also not an idiot lol. At least you got the job done.

[@DIYBRY]

Shutting off the water at the irrigation valve by the street, stops the water pressure from the city at that valve. That valve also has a bleed hole (automatic drain) that allows the water to drip out slowly when the water pressure has been turned off. Here is a picture: tinyurl.com/32u9ajc2 So even though there is still water in the line, there is no "pressure" to the back-flow preventer or galvanized union. If you watched my whole video, when I take off the pipe from the elbow piece under ground, there was hardly any water coming out. It is up hill from the city valve and that also illustrates there is no pressure. Even if there was, that would not prevent me from loosening a nut. Union was rusted shut. It is not an uncommon problem with galvanized steel: scotthomeinspection.com/the-problem-with-galvanized-supply-pipes/ Anyways, thanks for the insult...

[@TonyMontana-103Wvttz]

“This is a male, this is a female ! You’re welcome human race” 🫠☠️😂😂😂💜💯

[@Mcd5165]

Haha. That was dang funny. We have some confused people in this country of ours.

[@thesnapz54]

@@Mcd5165 like that person in the mirror that always stares at you blankly, huh Mcd?

[@Mcd5165]

@@thesnapz54 I'm curious, please explain how am I confused...