Outdoor hydrant failed

[groundcover]

A plumber gave me a tip years ago to make them last longer. Install a nipple and elbow in the drain hole, helps keep sand out of the seal.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have 4 that i installed nearly 20 years ago. Only 1 has failed. I bought a rebuild kit but could not get the head to unscrew from the body. 2 people with cheater bars and no luck.

Buried 5 feet deep to boot. Luckily i used brass bury fittings back then. After digging out with shovel, the body was able to easily unscrew and i installed a new unit.

Digging 5 feet by hand sucks.

 

[WM75Guy]

I found one that failed yesterday while mowing. It is on my main water line coming from the street along the fence line. Found it when the tractor sunk up to the frame and broke the main 1 1/2" water line. Fortunately I had isolation valves put in so I still have water to the house but not past it to the stables.

 

[RalphVa]

I replaced one on our daughter's condo. Easy though, as it's all cpvc pipe up to the valve.

When one our old ones failed out front, I had our great plumber come over and do it. It was cracked beyond where the extended stem sealed it off. The plumber said it was a bad design, but I have two others that are still working. I had to replace the stems on both of them.

I'm talking about the extended stem type, with anti siphon and all. Hope that's what you have and not a plain faucet.

Ralph

 

[kcflhrc]

Digging 5 feet by hand sucks.

Why yes, yes it does. If this thing ever fails again I will dig it up and cap it and be done with it. I can just as easily run a garden hose from the house. Probably what I should have done anyway.

 

[HeLa]

I had two chinese ones from Lowes fail within 6 months. Replaced with Campbell (US Made). Since have installed four more Campbells in new locations. Since then one of those failed. Tried to take it apart to figure the problem, pipe wrenches, and hammers and I could never get the push rod out. Scraped it and replaced. I now have eight of them in place and plan 3 more all Campbell. So far all eight have lasted from 1-4 years, keeping my finger crossed.

Ron

glad to hear this! i am about to install a few of these this week. reviews on the chinese Home Disappointment in-stock models were less than stellar. called my local supply - they carry campbell.

my HD does offer WoodFord via ship-to-store, but they take >1 week to come in. local supply counter can also get WoodFord and claims them to be good product. i've additionally read good reviews of Merrill, but no one local stocks them.

 

[luvmexfood]

I live in sort of an out of the way area. Hate to make a trip and have a salesperson tell me they can order it for me. Especially when it is at least a 30 minute one way trip. I just tell them I can order it myself off the internet. Have it delivered to my door. Not their store. No one seems to stock anything anymore.

 

[TheGoose]

Guess I'm lucky that we don't have to mess with those here.

 

[cat fever]

My advice to anyone putting in yard hydrants; buy Woodford only, make sure the drain is in gravel with plastic or similar on top of that, then bury the whole thing with sand. In the warm months if the hydrant is used daily put a ball valve on the hydrant and just leave it pressured up all summer. :2cents:

 

[Deere Dude]

In the warm months if the hydrant is used daily put a ball valve on the hydrant and just leave it pressured up all summer. :2cents:

Good tip. I just bought a place in TN and have a hydrant by the barn/storage building. I use it quite often at times so turning it on and off 30 times a day is causing a lot of wear on parts that might be difficult to fix.

 

[cat fever]

Good tip. I just bought a place in TN and have a hydrant by the barn/storage building. I use it quite often at times so turning it on and off 30 times a day is causing a lot of wear on parts that might be difficult to fix.

A 5 dollar ball valve above ground is sure easier to repair.

After nearly 25 years of being a Master Plumber, I finally had a little good advice.:laughing:

 

[Deere Dude]

A 5 dollar ball valve above ground is sure easier to repair.

After nearly 25 years of being a Master Plumber, I finally had a little good advice.:laughing:

I just went out and put a tee on the end and turned the hydrant on. The packing stem seal leaks a tad and it is pretty tight so I left it alone and shut the hydrant valve off for the day. Maybe someday I will build the courage to crank on it harder and hope it doesn't bust off. After 25 years of not listening to anybody I finally listened to one and it happen to be a good idea.

 

[cat fever]

I just went out and put a tee on the end and turned the hydrant on. The packing stem seal leaks a tad and it is pretty tight so I left it alone and shut the hydrant valve off for the day. Maybe someday I will build the courage to crank on it harder and hope it doesn't bust off. After 25 years of not listening to anybody I finally listened to one and it happen to be a good idea.

Thanks Deere Dude,
Any hardware or plumbing supply place has packing material. If the packing gland is already really tight, back it out and add some packing material. No need to even shut the water main water off, just leave the hydrant off. Keep in mind the packing material is not anything magic. You could use almost anything to fill the void. Use your imagination.
Good luck.