A yard hydrant is a useful tool known as a non-freeze valve containing a handle on the top for performance. It controls the water flow by lifting and pulling back the handle. These hydrants are commonly found in rural places, campgrounds, golf courses, or farms where you need plenty of water supply.
However, sometimes, its plunger gets blocked with debris, or you face a leakage issue. At this moment, you have to replace its parts like a plunger, screw, head casting, etc., not the entire piece. This strategy also saves you costs and makes the system again functional.
Here, we will provide complete guidance about the replacement process and its installation steps. So, stay here.
How to Install a Yard Hydrant
Yard hydrant installation includes the following steps:
Step 1: Shut off the underground water supply line and dig a hole with a hand shovel at the installation site to expose the pipeline for further work.
Step 2: With a PVC pipe cutter, install a 90-degree tee fitting and place a small PVC pipe portion of the tee outlet. Keep the tee in a perfectly horizontal position, and use the glue to fix the pipe and the tee.
Step 3: At the base of the standpipe, connect a 90-degree elbow and the MIP adapter with the help of a plumber. The male threads of the adapter are associated with both the elbow and the socket of the PVC pipeline.
Step 4: With the solvent glue, attach the hydrant with the tee through PVC pipes. Firstly, join the piece without the glue for testing. When all the parts fit together, then you can apply the glue. After the glue is fixed, you can turn on the water supply to check the performance of the Simmons yard hydrant.
For extra security towards the blockage, consider a 90-degree elbow in the drain valve in a downward position. This way, the valve remains free from waste. Likewise, gravel fills the drain valve’s svvalve’snsvalve’singproper drainage. The gravel must be filled around 3 inches above the valve.
Replacement of Frost Proof Yard Hydrant Parts
Remember that not every part of the Woodford yard hydrant is interchangeable. You need to determine the universal parts of your system. If you are confused, contact a pipe fitting manufacturer to evaluate the nature and complexity of every plumbing element.
Hydrants work smoothly for years; they may perform poorly for specific reasons. The problem occurs primarily due to the ineffective rubber plunger assembly.
By replacing the rubber, you can prevent leakage. It may also be detached from the core; sometimes, an issue arises because of the head castings. We will examine the replacement process of different parts with the feasibility in detail:
Replacement of Plunger
In a frost free yard hydrant, you may face the issue where your plunger may de-attache with the core. If this problem occurs, you have to replace the plunger. Disconnect the head assembly to pull out the plunger rod and remove the plunger.
This will free the rubber; you can flush it by turning on the water supply. Now perform the following steps to remove the plunger rubber from the standpipe:
Step 1: Connect the tool to the plunger rod by welding a screw to a rod coupling.
Step 2: Place the assembly at the level of the standpipe of the hydrant. Rotate it clockwise to screw it into the stuck plunger rubber.
Step 3: You can remove the rubber from the standpipe by pulling it up on the rod when the screw has passed through the rubber.
It is time to install the new plunger with the connecting rod into your yard hydrant. Here arises the next question: how do you select the new plunger for your system?
Suitable Replacement Plunger
Not every stuck plunger adjusts with your hydrant. You have to determine which one is suitable to consider for replacement purposes. In the past, brass was used to make the core of these plungers. Now, stainless steel is commonly used for the core.
If your hydrant has a brass core plunger, can you replace it with a steel-less steel one? Yes, you can do so, as they are universal.
However, the YHS series standard yard hydrants have their specific plunger, which you cannot replace with anyone. It is often accompanied by a yard hydrant repair kit and a spare plunger to make the replacement easy.
Replacement of Head Castings
This part is not universal, and you cannot replace it with any other part. Every hydrant has its head castings. Never try different head castings, as hydraulic valve manufacturers have their sizes and markings, and you cannot mix and match such hydrant components. If you do so, you will face serious outcomes in the future.
Red vs. Blue Yard Hydrant
Red and white valve yard hydrants are also available in different colors. The primary purpose of various kinds of yard hydrants is to supply water, and they remain functional even in the cold with their anantifreezeuality. Usually, red ones are connected with systems that have more water pressure. You can recognize them from their visible parts and handles. They are often associated with fire hydrants as well.
Moreover, blue freeze-proof yard hydrants are commonly linked with irrigation systems in farms or other agricultural lands. Their usage is for outdoors, where drinking water is not involved.
Bottom Line
A yard hydrant plays a vital role in supplying water to semi-remote areas of your place with a self-drainage system for anantifreezeurposes. Over time, its parts may show errors, hinder water flow, or cause leakage problems. You must know which one you can replace and which you cannot. We have mentioned all the instructions to make your life easy by replacing the interchangeable parts only.
Remember to choose only reliable stainless steel product manufacturers to get your replacement. Plumber Star is one of those names that has been serving the industry for years and has 100 percent satisfied customers worldwide.
