Leaking Champion Brass control valves

15 years ago

Many of my all brass 3/4 inch Champion automatic brass anti-syphon valves that I installed about 12 years ago now do not completely shut off. This is particularly annoying on the ones that control drip irrigation which become overwatered.

I purchased replacement kits that replace the rubber diaphram, washers, etc but that only slows the leakage. The valve still does not completely shut off.

I am of the opinion that the seat where the rubber plunger is suppose to seal has some small corrosion over the years from the hard water. I was wondering if it was worth manually refacing the plunger seats or should I just replace the valves after the 12 years?

I originally installed brass control valves because I thought they would provide greater longivity. Should I replace the control valves with plastic valves?

We plan to remain in our fully paid home for at least 15 more years.

Your comments will be appreciated.

Sinch

Comments (2)

rhythmtim
15 years ago
Be sure to flush the main out while the valve is apart, sometimes debris is hiding down in the pipes that keep the valves from closing.

I've been an irrigation tech for 25 years, and I've never heard of anybody refacing the seats; we just replace the valves. But if you've got access to a seat grinder, it couldn't hurt to try. I would think that if too much material was removed, the back pressure from the spring would be reduced because of the increased distance to the seat, and it would still leak.

Brass is excellent for longevity, but I have seen hard water bore worm holes right through it. Plastic valves, protected from the sun, are a good solution.

Tim
garyfine
14 years ago
i have a question on taking apart a champion brass valve..do both parts un screw..the shorter one come off easy..on the regulater side after taking off the nut and larger covering soes the bottom also un screw for repait of washers? help
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