Death of a Double Check

It is interesting in the irrigation and backflow world that after a while you realize that each product has it's own special way that it does. For example a Rainbird spray heads dies when many years down the line the seal leaks enough that you finally have to replace it. A Toro head dies when one day it sticks in the up position and gets mowed over. You are the notified of the death on your next water bill.

Let me tell you about the death of a double check backflow assembly. It is all about the handles. If it is a device on an irrigation system it is probably in the ground. Silt tends to work it's way into the box and eventually cover the device. This traps moisture and the device does not have stainless handles they will soon be toast.

As you can see the handles on this device are beginning to rust away. This is a Febco 850, one of the most popular choices among irrigators. Unfortunately it does not have stainless handles and they can rust and crumble in your hand in a matter of a few years. The nut and stubborn will also corroded so that you cannot remove the nut to replace the handles. At this point you cannot test the device to confirm it is working and you also have no way of shutting off the water to your sprinklers in the even of a leak without shutting off water to your house as well. This is why we do not install this model. There are other models with stainless handles that will last much longer. We also provide plenty of room below the device for silt and water accumulation.

It is also important to seal around the pipes to keep soil from working it's way in. We cover the pipe area with landscape fabric to prevent soil from coming in.

If your double check is in a box in your yard it would be a good idea to check it from time to time and clean out the silt and the roots that come with it from time to time. That may add years to the life of your double check assembly.