Posted 2006-10-30 9:10 AM (#50810) Subject: Need some help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 301
Location: Catoctin Mtn, Maryland
This isn't a trailer or truck question but I didn't know where to post the question, but was hoping you guys might be able to help me out here.
Our water hydrant that we use daily has been replaced 3 times in the past 4 years. Twice by same manufcr. due to the warranty and now we're having a problem with this 3rd one that our plumber said was the best one on the market. This one leaks water out of the spout when you bring the handle all the way down to close it. Sorry, don't know off hand what brand it is. Husband checked something to see if dirt was in something or another.......don't know what he tried but it still leaks.
My Question: What brand is worth a damn?
Thanks.
Oh, by the way........that 1999 Tahoe not starting,,,,,,,,,it was the battery, which was under warranty!!!!!!!! Several of you had suggested that it could have been that.
Picture of me and the mechanic discussing the previous repair bills, ie; fuel pump, complete ignition replacement, something else but can't remember............
Posted 2006-10-30 9:21 AM (#50813 - in reply to #50810) Subject: RE: Need some help
Expert
Posts: 2957
Location: North Carolina
A few Questions for your hydrants...
Are you on a well? Do your kitchen + bath sink fixtures have a blue/green tinge? Your water could be acidic, eating away your hydrants. The valve seat could be worn away too.
Did your hubby adjust the hydrant push rod? It pushes the washer down that stops the water flow. Everyday use may have worn the washer enough to leak.
Posted 2006-10-30 9:50 AM (#50815 - in reply to #50813) Subject: RE: Need some help
Regular
Posts: 95
Location: Nashville, TN
The rubber seats are easy enough to replace, just unscrew the entire top assembly. Well water also typically carries more sediment, which eats away at the rubber seat with each use. Once I get a hydrant in the ground...I hate digging it up and changing. I just change the top end or the seat.
Posted 2006-10-30 10:07 AM (#50821 - in reply to #50815) Subject: RE: Need some help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 301
Location: Catoctin Mtn, Maryland
I would think your also right about the rubber parts wearing out. I don't think the husband know's alot about the parts on these hydrants. Don't tell him I told you that in case he asks.......
I always thought that these hydrants lasted forever without really having to replace anything on em................well, welcome to the real world, huh.
Posted 2006-10-30 10:11 AM (#50823 - in reply to #50822) Subject: RE: Need some help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 301
Location: Catoctin Mtn, Maryland
Yes, we've dug that darn hydrant up 3 times already. God what a pain in the a#* it is to do that. We are hoping that it's just some worn out parts ABOVE ground this time. When the valve went bad we had water seeping up through the ground. Haven't seen that happen as of yet...................
Posted 2006-10-30 10:19 AM (#50824 - in reply to #50810) Subject: RE: Need some help
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Re-read Hoss puller's again. The handle pushes the rod down to seal off the water. After time, it isn't "tight" enough. And that can be usually adjusted up at the handle!!
H1
Posted 2006-10-30 10:27 AM (#50825 - in reply to #50824) Subject: RE: Need some help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 301
Location: Catoctin Mtn, Maryland
Thanks Horsey1.......will do.
I was surfing the www looking for hydrants and I think ours is Campbell hydrant. The picture looks exactly like ours. It shows all the parts too. Most likely it is coming from up top.
Reality check......................learn to fix it ourselves............
Posted 2006-10-30 2:04 PM (#50847 - in reply to #50810) Subject: RE: Need some help
Regular
Posts: 95
Location: Nashville, TN
The hydrant is a fairly simple device so let me try and explain why you probably didn't have to dig it up 3 times.
The handle up top is connected to a long rod that has a rubber seat at the bottom. That rubber seat is what shuts the water off below ground level. When you lift the handle the rubber seat lifts and water fills the large 1.25 inch verticle pipe the handle sits atop, then comes out the spout. When you shut the handle off there is a small weep/drain hole in the vertical pipe below ground level BUT ABOVE the rubber seat so all the water can drain out of the verticle pipe and not freeze. If the rubber seat leaks then water can fill the verticle pipe and continually drain out the weep hole....creating the wet ground you describe.
The only real reason to dig up a freeze proof hydrant is if the water line connector is broken. All repairs can be done from the top.
Posted 2006-10-31 4:17 AM (#50891 - in reply to #50810) Subject: RE: Need some help
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 301
Location: Catoctin Mtn, Maryland
Thanks to all. The problem was definetly coming from up top, like you all had suggested.....because when I got home the thing was fixed! This is why I love my husband so much...................instead of listening to me bitch and complain, he just called the plumber and got her done!
I just love that man! (I'm talking about the husband, not the plumber, lol)