Failure in a Woodford 17 - Plumbing Zone

pm smith · 09-08-2008, 11:52 PM

This is the strangest failure I've ever seen in a faucet.
House 5yrs old; Father/son DIY build; sold in May to my clients after family dispute. So probably some "hurry-up and sell" code issues.
Clients return from two weeks away to a mound in the laundry room floor.
Investigation reveals puddled water in the crawl space; sub floor soaked
and after much frustrating elimination, a leaking Woodford 17.
All indications are that this 8" cock was a recent replacement for a 14"
(new nipple on the back of the faucet).
When I extracted the Woodford, I expected to find a frost rupture, but there were no signs of any frost damage or corrosion.
I tested the faucet in the shop and found NO LEAKS!
But I was not imagining the soggy sub-floor - which was now drying out O.K.
Finally, I rigged a test fitting in the client's garage (higher pressure) and discovered a weep in the soldered (brazed?) fitting at the rear of the cock between the copper body and the brass/bronze fitting with the 1/2 female. 3/4 mail threads. And this only when the cock was opened.
The client had an electronic timer on the bib, opened it at the start of the dry season and it had been weeping ever since.
Has anybody ever seen a factory defect like this on a Woodford or anyone else's product?

Plumberman · 09-08-2008, 11:55 PM

Yea when the fixtures come from Blowes and Home Despair. Nice to meet you. Welcome to PZ how about an intro??

Ron · 09-08-2008, 11:56 PM

Are you a plumber? How about an intro from you

Plumberman · 09-09-2008, 12:22 AM

Here kitty kitty....

**Nathan** · 09-09-2008, 12:36 AM

Says your trade is "Household"?

GrumpyPlumber · 09-09-2008, 01:47 AM

Plumberman · 09-09-2008, 09:15 PM

Marlin · 09-09-2008, 09:35 PM

Oops.

Killertoiletspider · 09-09-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

Says your trade is "Household"?

It's good work if you can get it.

rex · 09-10-2008, 09:18 PM

woodfords arent sold at home depot and lowes here......

09-08-2008, 11:52 PM	#1
pm smith Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1 My Photos	Failure in a Woodford 17 This is the strangest failure I've ever seen in a faucet. House 5yrs old; Father/son DIY build; sold in May to my clients after family dispute. So probably some "hurry-up and sell" code issues. Clients return from two weeks away to a mound in the laundry room floor. Investigation reveals puddled water in the crawl space; sub floor soaked and after much frustrating elimination, a leaking Woodford 17. All indications are that this 8" cock was a recent replacement for a 14" (new nipple on the back of the faucet). When I extracted the Woodford, I expected to find a frost rupture, but there were no signs of any frost damage or corrosion. I tested the faucet in the shop and found NO LEAKS! But I was not imagining the soggy sub-floor - which was now drying out O.K. Finally, I rigged a test fitting in the client's garage (higher pressure) and discovered a weep in the soldered (brazed?) fitting at the rear of the cock between the copper body and the brass/bronze fitting with the 1/2 female. 3/4 mail threads. And this only when the cock was opened. The client had an electronic timer on the bib, opened it at the start of the dry season and it had been weeping ever since. Has anybody ever seen a factory defect like this on a Woodford or anyone else's product?

09-08-2008, 11:56 PM	#3
Ron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 8,635 My Photos	Are you a plumber? How about an intro from you __________________ Stephen Hawking: If the government is covering up knowledge of Aliens, they are doing a better job of it then they do at anything else.

09-09-2008, 12:36 AM	#5
Nathan Administrator Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,209 My Photos	Says your trade is "Household"? __________________ Nathan Here to serve

09-09-2008, 01:47 AM	#6
GrumpyPlumber Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 572 My Photos	__________________ Rules and Regulations Governing Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

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09-09-2008, 09:35 PM	#8
Marlin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 523 My Photos	Oops.

09-10-2008, 09:18 PM	#10
rex Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cohoctah,MI Posts: 239 My Photos	woodfords arent sold at home depot and lowes here......

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