Log in to my account Barrel Horse World
Come on in Folks on-line

Today is

You are logged in as a guest. Logon or register an account to access more features.


Hydrants....

Jump to page :
Last activity 2014-01-27 5:02 PM
20 replies, 4476 views

View previous thread :: View next thread
   General Discussion -> Barrel Talk
Refresh
 
Spin Doctor
Reg. Jun 2009
Posted 2014-01-27 5:02 PM
Subject: RE: Hydrants....


Elite Veteran


Posts: 629
50010025
Location: Roping pen
Being in Ne also, and with the wind/cold we have had, it is frozen 1-3' below the ground. I really don't think taking the top off and trying to pull out the plunger will work with it frozen.

Best way is to build a SMALL bonfire around it. Will take 3-6 hours...

These hydrants have a drain back in the bottom (valve end). This weep hole (drain hole) only works when the hydrant is completely off. It allows the water to "drain back" out of the riser pipe when the handle is off. IF the handle is left up a little or the linkage is not adjusted correctly, the weep hole will weep all the time. Once the soil around the weep hole (buried 4-5') is saturated, it will no longer weep, and the water will remain in the pipe...than it gets cold and freezes. One pulls up on the handle, and typically, the rod to the valve breaks.

My guess, 1 of 2 things happend---the hydrant is old and the drain back area around the weep hole has filled in with soil (usually you put rocks around the bottom of the hydrant) and soil is saturated. Drain back is not working.

Or, the soil around the hydrant has been removed and the valve is not 5' in the ground that we need around here to stay frost free.

My recommendation, is that you will have to replace it. If not now, as soon as it gets cold/windy again. A backhoe can bust thru the frost and replace in an hour but you will never have to worrry about it again. You could do it yourself, but digging thru 3' of frozen ground by hand will take a while.

The bon fire approach will work, but you will either need to heat tape the pipe, put hay bales, around or somehow insulate it and the ground around it to keep from freezing again.

Good luck.
↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Jump to page :
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread
 

© Copyright 2002- BarrelHorseWorld.com All rights reserved including digital rights

Support - Contact / Log in to my account


Working Truck World Working Horse World Cargo Trailer World Horse Trailer World Roping Horse World
'
Registered to: Barrel Horse World
(Delete all cookies set by this site)
Running MegaBBS ASP Forum Software
© 2002-2025 PD9 Software