Complete Sprinklers now offers a COMPLETE "after-market" PVB unit (1 & 3/4 inch size). It has an original FEBCO body with original Febco OEM internal parts with the new Freeze-Tolerant ball valves already installed! The FEBCO PVB"body" and the freeze-tolerant valves have a Life Time limited warranty not to crack. Ball valves have no affect on back flow prevention. The back flow prevention components are the bonnet & poppet assembly, and the lower check valve, (internal parts), located within the PVB body. The 1/4 inch test cocks have no affect on back flow prevention. Valve handles have no affect on back flow prevention. Some back flow testers may require not only internal repair parts be genuine FEBCO, but also external parts, that play no part in the water quality or back flow protection to be FEBCO as well.--- Even if your device passes all the required hydraulic tests, some testers may want to increase profits by replacing perfectly good parts, that are not febco brand. Tactics & requirements vary from tester to tester,city to city, and state to state.
* The Freeze-Tolerant ball valve is guaranteed not to crack the side of the valve as they usually do. This is the center area within the white Teflon seals. Warranty is void if a different plug is installed in place of the original patented freeze plug.
Why doesn't your sprinkler company offer Freeze Tolerant Ball Valves with a lifetime warranty not to crack? Why doesn't Your sprinkler company offer a Freeze Protection Plan? A better question is: Why are you still using that company?
The lead free Apollo Ball Valve is famous for cracking in freezing conditions. The Apollo ball valve is found on Apollo backflow devices throughout the country. Lead free Apollo valves do not have any freeze protection designed in. The best solution for CRACKING lead free Apollo ball valves is to change them out to ones with a freeze plug. Then you will have the perfect could weather- freeze resistant ball valve.
