[422 plumber]

This was in a 6" rpz control valve I tested that failed. Neither valve would hold. So I had the city come out and turn off the water at the b-box. I popped the bonnet on the 6" #1 control valve and this is what was in the seat. This is supposed to be Chicago water, which means Lake Michigan water. The town must be blending it.

 

[Bill]

What the hell is it??

 

[422 plumber]

That, my friend, is rust scale. It is a terrible problem in New Lenox, Illinois.

 

[ILPlumber]

Most of the time I remove crushed stone or gravel from the checks. Poor practices on installation.

Guys don't keep the pipe clean in the ditch and then they don't do as the manufacturer requires and flush the line before installing the BFP.

That scale looks like it's right out of the DI main. We get that alot after a service interuption.

 

[422 plumber]

Matt,
I thought DI was concrete lined? I dread the yearly RPZ tests because of this scale. It is in every one I test.

 

[user4]

90% of New Lenox does not have Lake Michigan water, at least they didn't five years ago when I repaired the PSV in the Frankfort pumphouse.

 

[422 plumber]

It was a big deal several years ago to have it brought down. I think they are supposed to have it. Maybe they have it and are blending it to save money, like Homewood.

 

[UnclogNH]

What the hell is it??

Kind of looks like salsa dip.

 

[Protech]

DI?

 

[TheMaster]

DI?

Ductile iron pipe

 

[SewerRatz]

jjbex got my Chicago licsance the other day.Took them long enough. I see that scale alot out in Hodgkins too when I test the RPZ units. Tons of fun to be had.

 

[A Good Plumber]

This is why a wye-strainer should be installed before all control valves, PRV's. RPZ's, Bfp's etc.

Sell them a wye-strainer.

 

[SewerRatz]

This is why a wye-strainer should be installed before all control valves, PRV's. RPZ's, Bfp's etc.

Sell them a wye-strainer.

If its on a fire sprinkler they do not want a wye strainer installed.

 

[RollinSoLo]

Looks like Fluoride buildup.

 

[Protech]

How do ya figure?

 

[422 plumber]

There is no wye strainer because it is indeed a fire main RPZ. SewerRatz wins a cookie. In Illinois, a fire system backflow device doesn't need a strainer because they are worried about the pressure drop.