Replacing the Water Valve - November 5, 2006
This is the starting point, where we just stare at the old valve. A lot
of work has gone on before this point in time. Digging this large hole,
special ordering all the required parts, actually getting the parts, and gluing
the needed pieces in advance required considerable time and effort. The
water system had to be isolated here and the pipes drained of water before work
could start. There are several people to thank for all of this.
But, the boots on the ground in this picture belong to Steve McAdams.
The pipe is 3 inches on the left side of the valve and 4 inches on the
right side of the valve. The four inch pipe has an odd sized outside
diameter.
Steve
proceeds to start cutting out the old valve.
It's all got
to come out.
In order to twist the old valve off, either the hole needs to be dug deeper, or
you just cut the valve stem off. Steve is cutting the old valve stem off.
Now it's time to measure the space needed for the new valve and cut the pipe to
match.
The hole needed to go back a little further to make room to slide the flange.
The valve is in! Sorry, the lighting isn't better for the photo.
Posing for the valve shot!
Slots in the culvert are cut so it will fit over the valve.
Francis joins the fun of backfilling the hole.
There is a 17 second movie that goes with this picture, but it's almost 7
megs to download - fillhole.mpg
Steve is making sure the dirt is packed as well as we can pack it.
Lots of stomping around and shoveling.
We don't have the lid made yet, so this is where we stopped.
This is that valve's final resting place.
Francis built the cover the following Saturday. When he gets some
plastic pipe, he will cut the hole in the lid and install the pipe.
The plastic pipe provides access for the key to turn the valve,
without having to dig up the whole lid.