Backflow Covers For 1″ Backflows

Backflow covers and insulation can be very important for home owners with 1" backflow irrigation or potable water protection systems. Manufacturers like Wilkins, Febco, Conbraco, Zurn, Watts, and others make 1" valves for a variety of applications and in a number of different design types.

Regardless of the make of valve, if you live in an area where temperatures can dip below freezing there may be a need for some type of backflow protection to avoid freezing pipes, or even worse, a broken valve housing or leaking internals. It doesn't take much frozen water to render a backflo utility useless or unable to properly prevent water from moving in the opposite direction should a low pressure situation occur.

Backflow Covers For 1" Size Are Quite Popular

With the 1" pipe size one of the most popular with plumbers in residential home builds, the need for backflow covers for the 1" size is great. The good news is, it doesn't really matter what make of valve gate you might have in your yard. The backflow enclosures we mention here will work on any brand, as long as the enclosure is large enough. Which gets us to the most important part of the process, measurements!

It's important to realize that no two backflow valve installations are the same. Plumbers are faced with different building codes, environmental conditions, landscape restrictions etc which can affect the overall size of the unit once it has been soldered on the piping. In other words, there is no one backflow cover that will fit all 1" preventer valves and piping. The size of the enclosure needed is based entirely on the installation.

Because of this, measuring the height, length and depth is crucial to knowing how large of an enclosure is needed. With these dimensions written down, one can then look for different sizes of backflow covers to determine what options exist. It's important to look beyond the exterior dimensions of an enclosure and look instead at the amount of room inside at a specific height. Just because the base is 15" Wide by 40" Long doesn't mean there is the same amount of interior space available inside the enclosure at 18"H, for example.

And, if you are looking at insulated backflow covers, consider the thickness of the insulation, and how much space it is going to take up inside the case. While most insulation material is fluffy and can be compressed to a point, it's still going to take up some space and needs to be considered when shopping backflow covers for 1" backflows, or any size for that matter.

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Large Outdoor Well Covers & Well Tank Covers

Home owners with full size outdoor pumps often have the need for large well covers and well tank covers to insulate and protect the pump and nearby pressure tank. Large format well tanks and pumps can be tricky to enclose. While there's often times a need to insulate and provide freeze protection, the electric pump motor needs air flow in order to prevent overheating and the need for expensive repair if the motor goes bad.

The ideal setup is an insulation bag placed over the well pressure tank, and a hard vented enclosure like a large fake rock placed over the both the pressure tank and the pump. This way the well tank is insulated with freeze protection and the electric pump motor is not insulated to protect from overheating

Anchoring Large Well Covers & Well Tank Covers For Wind Protection

Large outdoor well covers and well tank covers are usually quite tall and can be affected by high winds if not anchored down. Many of the fake rock covers such as the DekoRRa Mock Rock Model 104 and the larger Mock Rock Model 114 feature flanges at the base through which anchors are driven to pin the edges of the rock to the ground or concrete slab. When choosing an anchoring system for large well covers and well tanks, it's important to consider the fact that the well pressure tank and pump may need maintenance every now and them. Because of this, it's important that the well tank cover can be quickly and easily lifted off to allow for easy access.

Building a pump house is another option, but going this route can be quite expensive and most of the pump house designs are going to need frequent upkeep.  We offer fake rock combo kits which include both the large fake rock cover and a suitable insulation bag. This way you get both the well pressure tank insulation and the hard, durable rock cover in one easy to use package. Vents can be installed in the fake rocks prior to shipping. With the vents painted to match the color of the rock to help them blend in. These Frostmeister Rock and insulation bag combos are becoming very popular with home owners looking for a fast and easy solution offering extreme durability with zero maintenance.

 

Large Outdoor Well Covers & Well Tank Covers is available on: http://Rocksfast.com/

Backflow Insulation Bags For Freeze Protection

Backflow insulation bags and pouches can be a great option for protecting backflow prevention valves from freezing during the cold spring, fall and winter months. These polar parkas are slid over the backflow valve and attached piping to produce a blanket of warmth.

Does A Backflow Insulation Blanket Or Bag Offer Enough Protection?

It really depends on a number of factors. Temperature is of course a big one. It's important to consider how cold it gets at night, and for how long the temperature moves below the freezing point. Wind is another major factor. Wind robs heat, so the windier the area the more protection will be needed.

The type of backflow device is also a factor. Many irrigation valves sit dormant for days or weeks on end without any water moving through them. Stagnant water will freeze much faster than moving water in a potable water device, for example. Sometimes leaving the water valve on just a bit to create a trickle of water can keep the water moving enough to prevent freeze during really cold spells.

Backflow insulation bags and blankets are best used in conjunction with a hard sided backflow enclosure in most scenarios. What's nice about the hard sided fiberglass or resin backflow enclosures is that they cut the amount of wind reaching the valve body and piping way down. Without the wind, it's much easier keeping things warm and the backflow insulation bags can work more effectively. The hard cover will also protect the insulation from U.V. damage.

If you plan to use a backflow insulation pouch or blanket alone without a cover, consider an installation method which allows you to remove it easily so it can be brought indoors during the day when it is warmer outside. This way the insulation material will not be baking out in the sun all day. U.V. damage can break down the insulating materials and lessen the R-Value it provides.

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Backflow Enclosures For 3/4″ Valves

Backflow enclosures are designed to provide theft prevention, security, insulation, heat and freeze protection for sensitive valve assemblies in both commercial and residential settings. Depending on the type of unit, and it's designated purpose, the size of the configuration and installation footprint can vary greatly. While most residential installations do not rise very far from the ground and only run a foot or two left to right, commercial installations can be very high and several yards long.

The Right Backflow Enclosures For Your Home

The 3/4" size is popular in many residential settings, and as a result many home owners find themselves tasked with protecting the delicate valve assemblies with a cover or cage. Theft can be a real problem in cities and suburbs alike, with thieves stealing the units and attached copper piping to trade for cash at local scrap and metal salvage yards. Replacing a stolen unit is quite pricey, and is something best avoided if at all possible.

Fortunately, the 3/4" valve size usually lends itself to a rather small installation footprint. Concrete slabs are sometimes used when installing the 3/4" valve gates, but the pads are often times low enough to the ground to make covering the concrete optional. If one does intend to cover an entire concrete slab, in addition to the actual piping and valve, keep in mind that cost is going to run considerably higher because a larger sized backflow enclosure will be necessary in order to hide the entire concrete base underneath it.

You may also have the option of removing the actual backflo valve during cold winter months to protect it from freeze. This could negate the need for additional insulation or an electric heat source. First you'll need to carefully measure the height of the 3/4" backflow preventer. It matters not what brand it is: FEBCO, WATTS, CONBRACO, WILKINS, etc. the steps for choosing correctly sized backflow enclosures are going to be identical.

After measuring the height, carefully measure the length from left to right. So here you'll be placing the tape measure on the far left edge of the left side pipe across to the far right edge of the right side pipe. Finally, stand over the top of the valve and measure the width or depth. This is usually only a couple inches depending on where the valve levers are placed and which direction they happen to be facing.

When shopping backflow enclosures for the 3/4" valves, you can usually start at the less expensive end of the spectrum, meaning the smaller cases. There are several models of fake rock covers by DekoRRa which will fit over most 3/4" valve assemblies, but keep in mind the rocks can not easily be locked for security without fashioning some sort of custom locking device.

DekoRRa also makes a super affordable locking variety which can be padlocked on both ends. The DekoRRa Model 301 Backflow Cover is available in all 3 ASSE classes and is lightweight and very easy to use. It's not made of fiberglass which is a huge plus, and it's designed to not only function well and provide protection, but also blend into the landscape extremely well.

Regardless of the type of cover you choose, always be mindful of the temperature in your neck of the woods. You want to avoid a frozen backflow prevention valve at all costs!

 

The following article Backflow Enclosures For 3/4″ Valves is available on: www.ROCKSFASTcom

Backflow Covers: How To Choose The Correct Backflow Cover

Backflow covers are used to protect backflow valves and help with freeze protection when the valves are left out in conditions where the temperature may dip below freezing. Many home owners find out the hard way, when a backflow prevention valve freezes, it doesn't take long for it to break. The delicate springs and rubber gaskets inside don't hold up well to icy water. And replacing a valve can be quite expensive.

The type of backflow covers required depends greatly on the climate of the area you live in, and also the type of valve you have. Potable water valves tend to be more active all year long, with water flowing through them day and night. Moving water does not freeze as easily in these vs irrigation types which may sit dormant for weeks or months with stagnant water in them that is prime for freeze.

ASSE Class 1, 2, 3 Backflow Covers (American Society Of Safety Engineers)

Backflow enclosures are available in 3 different primary ASSE classes, each providing a different level of protection against freeze:

ASSE Class 3 - this level offers impact damage and wind protection. Some of these enclosures are also lockable to prevent theft and tampering. ASSE Classe 3 is not insulated or heated. These primarily consist of the hard fiberglass or plastic outer shell with vents for drainage near the bottom.

ASSE Class 2 - this class features an impact resistant outer shell that is lockable, water drainage venting, plus added insulation for additional freeze protection. The Class 2 backflow covers are probably the most popular format in today's irrigation market.

ASSE Class 1 - In addition to the hard shell, drainage venting and insulation, this class incorporates an electric heat system. In most cases the heat is provided via a heat tape which is wrapped around the piping and the valve body. The heat tape is plugged into an outlet and the generated heat is conducted through the metal pipes to prevent the water from becoming too cold and freezing.

In most cases, if you reside in an area where the temperature dips below freezing for a couple hours at night, then remains above freezing during the day a ASSE Class 2 option will suffice. Going with an ASSE Class 3 could be risky depending on how long the temps dip below the freezing mark and how windy it is. Remember, the wind robs heat very quickly. If you live in a windy area it's best to error on the side of caution and go the insulated route vs just the Class 3 which does not provide any additional R-value or heat to help fight freezing pipes and valves.

Sizing is also important. Always carefully measure the height, length and width of the entire unit and compare those dimensions with the available interior space of the enclosure you are considering. Plumbers are often required to keep the valves up aways off the ground when the units are installed, so some of these can be quite high and awkwardly shaped depending on what the building codes are like in your municipality.

 

Backflow Covers: How To Choose The Correct Backflow Cover is available on: ROCKSFAST LLC