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When subjected to freezing weather, a typical outdoor faucet will burst when the hose is
attached.
The reason a faucet tube bursts is not
due to the ice build-up, but rather the build-up of water pressure behind the expanding ice
block.
Bursting pressure for copper tube is around eighteen hundred pounds per square inch.
Build-up
of water pressure can be in excess of two thousand pounds per square inch, thus causing
the tube to burst.
This is why it is beneficial to install a Woodford Pressure Relief Valve on your Woodford
Outdoor Wall Faucet.
If you should accidently leave the hose
on in freezing weather, the patented Pressure Relief Valve prevents the copper tube from
bursting.
The Pressure Relief Valve will release the build-up of water pressure behind the expanding
ice block by activating the pressure relief valve when pressure reaches approximately
three hundred to three hundred fifty pounds per square inch.
Your faucet will be full of ice and faucet will not operate until thawing occurs, however,
you will not have the cost and hassle of replacing a burst faucet.
Most Woodford residential Outdoor Wall Faucets produced after 1962 can be upgraded to the
Pressure Relief Valve.
Woodford Models 16, 19 and Models 22 WITH
OVAL HANDLES are already protected with the Pressure Relief Valve.
The only tools you will need are a flat-head screwdriver, crescent wrench and tape measure.
BEGIN BY SHUTTING THE WATER SUPPLY OFF TO
THE FAUCET
Next, remove the handle by using a flat-head screwdriver.
Then, remove packing nut by using a crescent-wrench. Turn counter-clockwise until threads are completely
out of tube casing. To remove the black rubber packing, place handle back on the rod, without
the screw, and turn handle
counter-clockwise four to five times, so the threads are released
from back of the faucet.
If you have the brownish-white packing
material, you may notice it will stick and need to be gently worked out with a small
flat-head screwdriver. Work around the outer diameter of the packing material until it
dislodges and comes out.
Remove the rod assembly by pulling out
towards you. The check valve at the end of the rod assembly could provide slight resistance
when coming out. However, a quick pull will release the rod assembly.
Measure length of the rod assembly like this with your tape measure.
The length of the rod assembly will correspond to one of the RK-PRV Kit Sizes shown here.
Insert rod assembly all the way into tube casing and turn clockwise in order to connect
rod at the back of the faucet. Turn until faucet is in the off position.
Next, insert packing washer onto rod assembly, making sure the flat-side of the washer faces
towards where the handle will be.
Then, insert black rubber packing, either way, onto rod, with packing washer in place.
If you’re just re-installing current rod you can re-use the old packing material.
Now, Place packing nut on rod with threads facing packing material and LIGHTLY TIGHTEN
packing nut with crescent-wrench.
Finally, Place handle on end of the rod
and screw handle on with handle screw using a flat-head screwdriver.
Now you’re ready to turn water supply back on to test faucet.
Place a hose with a pressure nozzle on it. Then turn water on by using the handle. If
the packing nut leaks, tighten down the packing nut with crescent wrench until leaking stops.
Look for more How-To Videos coming soon to Eagle Mountain Products Company YouTube.com
channel.