View Full Version : Back Flow Preventer - Strange Noise Drip System
electronman1729
05-27-2018, 19:34
So my back flow preventer started making a strange sound when my drip irrigation system turns on. Any ideas?
Never did this before.
GeorgeandSugar
05-27-2018, 19:40
What is the sound that it is making?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A squeal or a hiss. Or a shuddery sound. By all accounts something is amiss.
I would take it apart ad see if everything looks proper. If it looks good, use some special sprinkler grease and see what happens. Might get a rebuild kit just because. Could also be a valve not totally closing and you have a small amount of water still flowing through the valve. That can make funny sounds. The beauty of sprinkler parts is they have the shelf like of yogurt. I had to replace a valve this year. A different on last year. A few heads the year before. Good thing sprinkler parts are cheap.
Two years ago I started removing my back flow device and taking it inside. Draining and blowing out didn't work a couple times. So now I take the whole thing inside.
You sure its not the valves making noise? Had a customer’s valve keep hissing even though it was off. Changed the diaphragm assembly and still did it. End up having to replace the whole valve.
electronman1729
05-27-2018, 22:18
Its only the drip system that does this.
I would say a shuddery sound.
Its coming from the back flow preventer
replace the drip system solenoid guts and top half, it's likely weak and will only cost a few dollars. Just buy a new matching valve and swap 4 screws and 2 wires. Once in a while a bad one will make pipes sing at a large fitting. Also do you mean backflow on the main or vacuum break on the sprinkler system?
BPTactical
05-27-2018, 23:06
The drip system is low flow. It does not cause sufficient flow/differential pressure to lift the back flow poppet valve / piston completely clear of the seat. What you are hearing is "flutter" of the valve.
As noted check downstream of the back flow preventer for restrictions.
SideShow Bob
05-27-2018, 23:40
The drip system is low flow. It does not cause sufficient flow/differential pressure to lift the back flow poppet valve / piston completely clear of the seat. What you are hearing is "flutter" of the valve.
As noted check downstream of the back flow preventer for restrictions.
^^This^^^
Not only is Bert a hell of a gun Smiff, he is also an expert when it comes to back flow...........[Tooth]
Ask him about when I hit a 4” irrigation line for the landscaping in the I-25 & Colfax interchange.
Great-Kazoo
05-27-2018, 23:48
^^This^^^
Not only is Bert a hell of a gun Smiff, he is also an expert when it comes to back flow...........[Tooth]
Ask him about when I hit a 4” irrigation line for the landscaping in the I-25 & Colfax interchange.
At his age there's probably more than "back flow" going on. .
If you know what i mean.
These valves are nuisance. I have a fairway valve that has a plastic disc. The disc or the gasket on the disc will fail without notice with water shoot out the valve cap. It usually happens when i a m out of town. The cap over the disc has proprietary threads or i would put on a solid cap and eliminate the disc.
electronman1729
06-03-2018, 22:32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVDwNd1HTzU&feature=youtu.be
Sorry. not the best quality but it is the sound that matters
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.