AHutton1972
New Member
Hi. I live in a 44 year old house and have this problem on my hands:
This is where the water enters my house in the basement. I live in an unincorporated county so I own everything from my house to the water main in the street except for the water meter you see here. The water meter is owned by the water company. I also own the curb stop out in my front yard.
The shutoff valve does not work.
And the PRV is leaking. There is also a leaky silcock connected just above all of this. I figure this whole deal needs to be replaced minus the water meter. I have several questions as to the ideal/proper setup of all of this.
1.) What type of PRV should be used to replace this one? I am not sure of the pressure before the valve but I have measured the pressure from my water heater outlet to be about 80 psi.
2.) When replacing the PRV I have read that placing a union somewhere in this setup is a good idea so that it can be easily replaced next time the PRV fails. Where would it go? Above, below, both?
3.) Is it okay to replace the main water shutoff with a ball valve? Is this preferable?
4.) Would it be advantageous to have pressure dials installed before and after the PRV?
4.) When is a check valve required?
I had a plumber out to look at this and he gave me a quote of 600 to repack the valve, replace the PRV and silcock. Because the valve does not work he tried to turn the curb stop but could not do it. We agreed that I would dig down to the valve which is about 5 feet below grade. I have gone about half that and have been able to shopvac most of the debris (broken pieces of cast iron pipe?, and old pentagon bolts). I can clearly see the valve now and it looks as if his key will fit on it perfectly now.
5.) What are the chances the valve won't budge or will break when he tries to turn it? It's probably 44 years old and hasn't been turned off ever.
Thank you all for your help,
Adam
This is where the water enters my house in the basement. I live in an unincorporated county so I own everything from my house to the water main in the street except for the water meter you see here. The water meter is owned by the water company. I also own the curb stop out in my front yard.
The shutoff valve does not work.
And the PRV is leaking. There is also a leaky silcock connected just above all of this. I figure this whole deal needs to be replaced minus the water meter. I have several questions as to the ideal/proper setup of all of this.
1.) What type of PRV should be used to replace this one? I am not sure of the pressure before the valve but I have measured the pressure from my water heater outlet to be about 80 psi.
2.) When replacing the PRV I have read that placing a union somewhere in this setup is a good idea so that it can be easily replaced next time the PRV fails. Where would it go? Above, below, both?
3.) Is it okay to replace the main water shutoff with a ball valve? Is this preferable?
4.) Would it be advantageous to have pressure dials installed before and after the PRV?
4.) When is a check valve required?
I had a plumber out to look at this and he gave me a quote of 600 to repack the valve, replace the PRV and silcock. Because the valve does not work he tried to turn the curb stop but could not do it. We agreed that I would dig down to the valve which is about 5 feet below grade. I have gone about half that and have been able to shopvac most of the debris (broken pieces of cast iron pipe?, and old pentagon bolts). I can clearly see the valve now and it looks as if his key will fit on it perfectly now.
5.) What are the chances the valve won't budge or will break when he tries to turn it? It's probably 44 years old and hasn't been turned off ever.
Thank you all for your help,
Adam
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