Freezeproof hydrant leaking

n9lhm · May 21, 2020

I have a freezeproof hydrant out in the barn that won't shut off all the way, just down to a trickle. I know the guts of this thing are buried down below the frostline so it shuts off and drains down there so it won't freeze. Will the guts of the valve itself come out if I unscrew the top and take it off, or do I have to dig all the way down to where it attaches to the incoming water line to service it? I've never had one apart before.

Mike M · May 21, 2020

Does yours have an adjustable clevis on the rod ? If so try to adjust it so it gets more down force on it when shut off and see if that stops it.

4520BW · May 21, 2020

Like Mike M said try to adjust the clevis out if so equipt or will probably have to replace the whole hydrant. I recommend buying a Woodford brand.

coshoo · May 21, 2020

Most of it does, but I think the seat is part of the bottom assembly. They have rebuild kits- you'll need it anyway (if Mike M's suggestion doesn't work), and it should explain it in the instructions.

n9lhm · May 21, 2020

I don't know if there is an adjustment, but I will look the next time I'm out there. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

retired farmer · May 21, 2020

Figure on digging it up and replace it. We are fighting that around here with some twenty year old fixtures.

db4600 · May 21, 2020

There?s a rubber ?leather? at the bottom of the rod backed up by a spring to tighten the leather into the seat. If adjusting the top rod/clevis doesn?t do it shut off that water line, unscrew the valve, and pull the rod to inspect the leather for wear or cracking. I?ve had luck with this in the past.

in-too-deep · May 21, 2020

Just like what db4600 said. Try adjusting the clevis at the top for more down pressure. If that doesn't fix it, pull the top off and pull the rod out and replace the rubber packing at the bottom of the rod. Hey, at least it's not -20 and dark all the time!

Russ from MN · May 21, 2020

Like db4600 said, it all come out the top and there are repair kits available, you should be able to fix it without digging. I think the way to adjust most is to loosen the set screw and tighten it a little higher on the rod.

miangus · May 21, 2020

I have fixed mine. Loosen set screw on rod. Shut off water unscrew the head and remove. Pull up rod and inspect rubber on the end. I bought a kit at TSC. The kits seem to fit many brands. At this point I would assure the drain back hole was open. Have someone turn on water, for just enough time to fill pipe. Water should drain when water is shut off. If it doesn?t it sometimes the drain can be cleared by capping the pipe and turning on the water. If you can?t get to drain you will need to dig it up or it will freeze. Reassemble with new parts. Adjust the pressure on the rod so it has enough pressure to shut off. I check mine for drain back with every use. Just after I shut off I put the palm of my hand against the output mouth, there should be a vacuum.

marloweg · May 21, 2020

pull the guts out the top and replace the rubber washer and they make a tool to clean up the seat way down at the bottom did mine a year ago finding the dressing tool is the hard part but a old farmer had one home made but worked

MarkB_MI · May 22, 2020

If it's a name brand like Woodford, repair kits are available and can be installed without digging up the hydrant. You'll need VERY BIG pipe wrenches to unscrew the head from the riser pipe.

Freezeproof hydrant leaking

n9lhm

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Mike M

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4520BW

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coshoo

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n9lhm

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retired farmer

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db4600

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in-too-deep

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Russ from MN

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miangus

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marloweg

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MarkB_MI

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