I'm reposting part of this because I added it to another thread that died.
I unwrapped my backflow preventer, for pool autofill, to close screws. And I have a cracked ball valve. Can I replace the cracked valve or do I have to replace entire unit? TIA

Should be able to just replace the valve.

Those drains need to point sideways or down. Water won't drain UP. That's why it froze.

Those aren't drains. Those are test ports. Install looks OK. Just replace the valve.

It survived February '21 but I F'ed up in prepping it this time. I closed both ball valves after shutting water off, rather than leaving them open/half open. Hoping to just replace valve rather than entire $500 assembly.

I don't think that can be replaced like that unless you don't need test ports. What are the ports for (please god, someone say "testing stuff")?

Otherwise it's just a straight ball valve and if I may suggest a quality valve, I like Apollo or Nibco. I bought a couple of strays at Home Depot but when trying to get more they aren't there so you have to order online, but you may have luck on those, I was getting 2".

BTW... what way does the water flow through that?

Those are 1in valves, but in the left that's a 3/4" to 1/2" 90

Testing stuff. But really, they're called test cocks and they're used by backflow prevention testers to make sure the device meets parameters and the gauges and sight tube attach to the test cocks during testing.

craig09 said:

---

Testing stuff. But really, they're called test cocks and they're used by backflow prevention testers to make sure the device meets parameters and the gauges and sight tube attach to the test cocks during testing.

---

Correct. City of Austin requires an annual inspection. Flow is from left to right. The covered PVC on the right goes to pool auto-filler.

You can buy that ball valve and replace it.

Threaded and taped on both ends, should be able to swap it out.

I know this might sound foolish but does it still work? My bp cracked a few years ago and still works. Water does spray out if I don't turn it fast enough but it's water right after that, even when the system is running.