This is what happens when a backflow prevention device isn’t properly winterized. Thankfully, David was able to fix it and winterize it to protect it during the rest of this freeze.
If you run into a situation and need to winterize your system yourself, you can follow these steps.
1. Turn Your Ball Valve Off
Somewhere between your water meter and your backflow preventer is your underground ball valve. Make sure to turn this to the off position.
2. Turn Your Set Screws
Your backflow preventer has two screws near the valves. Make a quarter-turn on those screws with a screwdriver. Water should flow out of the bleeders on the backflow preventer. Leave them open.
**Never Turn the Valve Handles
The two handles on the side of your backflow preventer should be left where they are and not turned.
If you have any questions or need your system winterized, let us know!