[crankycowboy]

First post. Recently my wife noticed the ground outside our house pretty wet. We had also noticed our water bill had gone up substantially. So I started to dig down where the ground was the wettest and found a valve box with a inline valve and some other sort of check valve, or some other kind of item in-line. whatever this is, has a couple pin holes in it. I am posting a picture because I'm wondering what it is. The repair is rather straight forward, I just don't know what I'm looking for as a replacement part. Any help is appreciated. Oh, by the way, this is right in front of my house just before the slab.

 

[joecaption]

No picture attached.
Sure sounds like the main line coming in from the street.
Is it city water?

 

[crankycowboy]

Sorry about that, here is a picture. This is my main line after the meter coming into my house (just before the slab. I think it may be a pressure regulator...but not sure.

 

[joecaption]

If it's city water you may want to give them a call and let them take care of it.

 

[crankycowboy]

It's my understanding that if it's before my meter, the city will take care of it, if it's after the meter, I'm responsible. And it's between the meter and my house.

 

[TheEplumber]

Not a clear picture on my phone but I'm guessing its a pressure regulator. Clean it real good to find the make and model name.

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[crankycowboy]

Yeah, my iphone didn't take a wonderful picture. The nut on top had a tag on on it, but it was rusted up and just fell off. I couldn't make out any of the numbers. I haven't checked to see if there are any numbers stamped on the housing. I'll do that in the morn. I'm pretty sure it's a pressure regulator too. How are those sized...just by pipe size and then you adjust the screw on top like a needle valve?

 

[TheEplumber]

They're sized by pipe size. Most have unions on at least one side- sometimes both. Take it out and take it to a good home center to match it up. They come in different configurations. Try to find the exact match to make replacement easier. They are " preset" from the factory but the screw is for adjustment

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[crankycowboy]

So pipe size is my main consideration. Yeah, my house was built 26 years ago, but I have been here 15...and never changed it, so would imagine that exact part is dated....but have found numerous online with the same pipe size.

 

[crankycowboy]

Oh and I should have mentioned that it is soldered on one side and has a union on the other.....

 

[TheEplumber]

Oh and I should have mentioned that it is soldered on one side and has a union on the other.....

Surprised to hear this but it may help you select new one to fit your space. Sounds like you can break the union free then can you need to figure the best approach for the soldered end.

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[TheEplumber]

Double check the copper connection for male iron pipe threads at the valve or the pressure valve

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[crankycowboy]

Surprised to hear this but it may help you select new one to fit your space. Sounds like you can break the union free then can you need to figure the best approach for the soldered end.

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Thanks "E",

Yeah I have the tools to de-solder and re-solder and should be able to use the same union and "leg" that is there. Your suggestion regarding pipe threads is a good one as I believe the pipe coming in was PVC and then adapted to a pipe 6" nipple into the regulator...and then soldered on the back side into a "needle" valve (excuse my definitions as I don't know all the proper terms).

 

[TheEplumber]

I wish I was at my PC mad had more time to help but I think your off to a good start.
I don't know how we'll unseating will be- any water in the prv will cause problems. May be better off cutting the pipe between valves and rebuilding it with new pipe.
I'm off to a hockey game but ill check in tommarow

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[ben's plumbing]

I wish I was at my PC mad had more time to help but I think your off to a good start.
I don't know how we'll unseating will be- any water in the prv will cause problems. May be better off cutting the pipe between valves and rebuilding it with new pipe.
I'm off to a hockey game but ill check in tommarow

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hey e plumber ..ther is no stinking hockey on strike how you rate....:laughing::laughing::laughing: enjoy we'll help him the rest of the way..ben sr

 

[ben's plumbing]

some of those regulators can be rebuild ..take off the top there is a diafram ,spring.gasket nut, bolt..looks like its spraying from adjuster nut..may be able to repair it...imo ben sr:yes:

 

[VIPlumber]

As a side note ,you may want to consider either boxing it in box below grade like one of these,

or bring inside in the crawl space/basement where the water enters the house.

 

[TheEplumber]

hey e plumber ..ther is no stinking hockey on strike how you rate....:laughing::laughing::laughing: enjoy we'll help him the rest of the way..ben sr

Minor league- the best kind! We played our rivals tonight. Game ended with a 5 on 5 fight after an empty net goal :laughing::drink:

 

[crankycowboy]

As a side note ,you may want to consider either boxing it in box below grade like one of these,

or bring inside in the crawl space/basement where the water enters the house.

Thank's VIP and Bens.....and of course eplumber. You guys have all been very helpful. Those valve were actually in a box (actually two separate round ones), I just removed them for access. I will replace after the repair. There are actually two pin holes and they are actually in the body and not the adjustment nut. Any suggestions of where I may find a pressure regulator on a Sunday? I found one at home depot, but the reviews were awful. Thanks again guys!

 

[TheEplumber]

I'm afraid you're stuck with stores like HD on the weekend.
Have you operated your shut off valve? Make sure it functions OK. They can fail over time.