Sprinkler shut off valve

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How long should one of these last? Basically it’s been opened and closed once per year for 25 years. Just winterized the sprinkler and now have a slow drip out of the water spigot.

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Plumber wants $125 to come out and look.
 
A valve like that which is probably a mix of SS & Teflon should last pretty much forever. It could have lasted basically 100 years, but also could fail after just a few years. Watts is a pretty middle of the road brand so it's not like you have a cheap valve. If you had a lot of flow over time and the valve wasn't fully open it can wear away the inside of the ball edge leading to a leak but that's uncommon, probably just not seating well on the teflon seat.

In all honesty you should Open/Close the valve more than once a year. Typically the worst thing I see with valves is them staying in one position for too long and that's what kills them.

For $125 to take a look you should hand him a new valve to sweat in place so you get another 25 years.

Did you try opening/closing it a few times to see if it seats properly?
 
Santapez said:
A valve like that which is probably a mix of SS & Teflon should last pretty much forever. It could have lasted basically 100 years, but also could fail after just a few years. Watts is a pretty middle of the road brand so it's not like you have a cheap valve. If you had a lot of flow over time and the valve wasn't fully open it can wear away the inside of the ball edge leading to a leak but that's uncommon, probably just not seating well on the teflon seat.

In all honesty you should Open/Close the valve more than once a year. Typically the worst thing I see with valves is them staying in one position for too long and that's what kills them.

For $125 to take a look you should hand him a new valve to sweat in place so you get another 25 years.

Did you try opening/closing it a few times to see if it seats properly?
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I did not move it as we just paid to have the system winterized. Once I open it I'm going to need to get it winterized again. Maybe, shut off the main and then open and close a few times?
 
How much of a drip is it? Enough you can just ignore it?
Doesn't help much if you open/close it without flow but worth a shot. Closing the main, opening a low faucet to remove the pressure and then actuating that valve a couple times may help.
 
Just sweat it off and slide in a push connect valve for $25....

I assume they are pretty good, I have used them w/o issue.
 
Well, if it feeds the backflow preventer, it will likely freeze and crack over the winter if not replaced.

I had one go bad 2 years ago and this is exactly what happened. After i cut the old valve out, i could see the plastic ball seal on the inside was deformed because hte original installer baked it sweating it on 20+ years ago. Replaced them with ProPress valves FTW.
 
Having never sweat a pipe before, not sure I want to learn now.

Brings back the memory of my father almost burning down our house when a spark/flame caught the insulation within our kitchen wall as he was doing a repair. Fire extinguishers work, but there was definitely some panic going on.
 
JonF said:
Well, if it feeds the backflow preventer, it will likely freeze and crack over the winter if not replaced.

I had one go bad 2 years ago and this is exactly what happened. After i cut the old valve out, i could see the plastic ball seal on the inside was deformed because hte original installer baked it sweating it on 20+ years ago. Replaced them with ProPress valves FTW.
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I've replaced 3 backflow preventers over the past 7 years as they were inevitably cracked come Spring. Could be related.:thumbsup:
 
If you're not comfy soldering, rent a propress tool and install that type of fitting. Super easy (though not exactly dirt cheap). After cutting the old valve out, you may need to replace some sections pipe/elbow since you wont have enough clean pipe to crimp on a new valve.

Sunbelt Rentals Maintenance

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www.homedepot.com

Apollo 1 in. Brass Press x Press Full Port Ball Valve 94VLF10501A - The Home Depot

The Apollo 94VLF Lead Free Press valve is constructed of heavy forged brass and was engineered with the Full-Flow design to give you maximum water output and minimal pressure loss. Ideal for residential
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Cut it, push a shark bite cap on. Deal next year.

There is also a chance that water got into the line anyway. Another job for my compressor
 
JonF said:
If you're not comfy soldering, rent a propress tool and install that type of fitting. Super easy (though not exactly dirt cheap). After cutting the old valve out, you may need to replace some sections pipe/elbow since you wont have enough clean pipe to crimp on a new valve.

Sunbelt Rentals Maintenance

www.sunbeltrentals.com www.sunbeltrentals.com

www.homedepot.com

Apollo 1 in. Brass Press x Press Full Port Ball Valve 94VLF10501A - The Home Depot

The Apollo 94VLF Lead Free Press valve is constructed of heavy forged brass and was engineered with the Full-Flow design to give you maximum water output and minimal pressure loss. Ideal for residential
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
Well that makes the plumber's visit seem like a bargain. Think I'll just pick up the valve then pay the $125 to have them come out. They'll use the $125 towards the repair "if it's done at the same time and they don't have to come back." If I have the part, they shouldn't need a second trip.
 
There exists shark bite slip valves where you can cut the pipe where it is fresh then bridge the larger gap with a longer valve. All you have to do is deburr the pipe so it doesnt cut the o ring.
 
Bike N Gear said:
Just winterized the sprinkler and now have a slow drip out of the water spigot.
Click to expand...

Call me crazy, but shouldn't these be separate? The line to the sprinkler backflow should have its own valve, and the spigot should have its own valve too.
 
rlb said:
Call me crazy, but shouldn't these be separate? The line to the sprinkler backflow should have its own valve, and the spigot should have its own valve too.
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Not the way this was installed. When the sprinkler was added I believe the just went off the pipe that was originally just feeding that spigot.
 
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