An anti-siphon valve is required in some areas’ building codes for lawn irrigation systems. It is an important part of your plumbing for your health and safety, since without it some hazardous things could occur such as lawn chemicals backing up into your home’s plumbing.

These are used on the outlet of a pump wherever gravity or other downstream conditions may create negative pressure (siphon) and drain a tank. The valve is pre-set to open under pump pressure, but closes bubble-tight when the pump is shut off. Because of the design of its design this valve actually closes more tightly when unwanted siphon occurs.

Anti- siphon valves are not only meant to restrict the contaminants going into the tank instead, these also keep thieves away from stealing the gasoline from other tanks. This is possible only because of the non-wet u-cup seal located around the tank that provides the tank with the vacuum-tight sealing.

Before commencing the project, be handy with all the tools and equipments needed to accomplish the project more easily and effectively. Like in this case you’ll need like plumber’s wrench, shovel, and Teflon pipe tape.

First thing that is to be kept in mind while operating anti- siphon valve is, run the lawn sprinklers so that they fill with water then turn them off.

Turn off the main water supply at the pipe that is coming into the house. Dig down to the piping that is behind the anti-siphon valve. Open the pipe behind the anti-siphon valve by unscrewing it with your plumber’s wrench counterclockwise. If you have a basement hose connection, then open this up instead.

Next step is to remove the sprinkler head and see if water is coming out of the pipe that was recently opened. If there is a flow of water, the failure of your anti- siphon valve is confirmed. Just replace it with the new one. In case, no water comes out of it, the valve is perfectly alright.

Wrap Teflon pipe tape two to three times around the threads of the pipe you opened and reattach the pipe by turning it clockwise with your plumber’s wrench.

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