
Common Fire Hydrant Repairs
- Shut off the water to the fire hydrant.
- Disassemble your fire hydrant.
- Repair or replace the faulty component.
- Reassemble the fire hydrant.
Full Answer
What is the average cost to replace a fire hydrant?
A fire hydrant with professional installation can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 on average. The average replacement can cost about $2,500 to $3,500 for parts and labor. According to this NasDaq.com article, the average cost to replace a fire hydrant is $1,000 in Northern California.
How to replace a fire hydrant?
We can support the following types of maintenance where hydrant repair services are offered:
- Replace worn gaskets and parts. We will inspect the hydrant components for signs of deterioration and replace any parts as needed. ...
- Lubricate the operating nut and stem. ...
- Repair leaking hydrants. ...
- Sandblast and paint hydrants in place. ...
- Lower or raise the breakoff flanges. ...
How do I report a broken fire hydrant?
How do I report a leaking or broken fire hydrant? To report a problem with a fire hydrant, please call the city help line at (914) 377-6000. How do I report overcrowding at a bar, nightclub, or other occupancy?
How do you open fire hydrant?
The tests will be held from Monday to Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Firefighters will be letting the water run for about 30 seconds to clear the hydrants. Neighbors are asked to not drive through or walk through the running water. Doing so may cause injury or damage to cars.

How do you disassemble a fire hydrant?
0:434:38Medallion Fire Hydrant - How to Disassemble - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace the thrust nut wrench on top of the thrust nut and tap the wrench with a small hammerMorePlace the thrust nut wrench on top of the thrust nut and tap the wrench with a small hammer loosening the threads in the clockwise. Direction. Remove the thrust nut.
How do you fix a broken hydrant?
4:477:56How-To Repair An Outside Yard Hydrant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can probably use teflon tape my problem a teflon tape is you don't want to tighten it up andMoreYou can probably use teflon tape my problem a teflon tape is you don't want to tighten it up and then have to end up backing it up because then you lose your seal.
How do you fix a leaking outside hydrant?
0:432:14How To Adjust Leaking Water Source Frost Proof Yard Hydrant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you still have a leak turn the water off repeat the loosening of the set screw and again raiseMoreIf you still have a leak turn the water off repeat the loosening of the set screw and again raise the handle five and a half inches or sixty degrees tighten the setscrew. And check for leaks.
What causes fire hydrants to burst?
Traffic accidents are one of the most common situations in which a hydrant can be damaged. Whether it's a small crack, a broken bolt or a shooting geyser when the barrel is completely sheared off, motor vehicles are responsible for most of the damage caused when they run into, run over, or back into a fire hydrant.
How do you rebuild a frost proof hydrant?
2:459:16Simmons Frost-Proof Yard Hydrant- Repair Kit and Plunger ReplacementYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith your pliers or vice grips grab ahold of the metal part of the plunger. And then with yourMoreWith your pliers or vice grips grab ahold of the metal part of the plunger. And then with your pliers grab ahold of the coupling on the other side of the hydrant. And twist the plunger. Off.
How do you repack a frost free hydrant?
0:512:10How to Fix a Leak out of the Packing Nut - E-5000 Yard Hydrant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace the pivot connector on top of the packing. Nut. Straps of bent inward. To the pivot connector.MorePlace the pivot connector on top of the packing. Nut. Straps of bent inward. To the pivot connector. And lever. Place and tighten the lever bolt through the head casting jaw straps and lever lift.
How do you replace an outdoor faucet stem?
0:073:59Repair Outdoor Faucet - traditional style - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe same you take out that lower nut and the entire stem. And handle will unscrew with it and on theMoreThe same you take out that lower nut and the entire stem. And handle will unscrew with it and on the bottom you can see the two nuts here yep. You've got a washer held in with the screw.
Why does my hose leak at the spigot?
If your hose leaks where it connects to the spigot, it's most likely caused by a worn gasket, stripped adapter, or leaking connector. Connection problems usually cost between $2 and $20 to fix. New garden hoses can cost up to $400, depending on the length and material.
How do you repair a Clayton mark yard hydrant?
0:498:00Leaking Yard Hydrant Repair Part 2 Installing Repair Kit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're going to put the repair kit in today and see if this does the deed. So the very first thingMoreSo we're going to put the repair kit in today and see if this does the deed. So the very first thing we're going to do is we're going to get this handle up to raise the plunger off the bottom.
What happens if you break a fire hydrant?
When a break occurs, crews work quickly to make the repairs and restore the water service. To make a repair, the water usually must be shut off. The city makes every effort to notify residents before this occurs. However, due to the emergency nature of the repairs, some notification may not be possible.
Do fire hydrants need to be winterized?
While the design of dry-barrel fire hydrants make them unlikely to freeze during winter, they can still fail. Either the main valve or the drain valve might stop working if they are not maintained properly or need to be replaced due to old age.
How many GPM can a fire hydrant flow?
CLASSHydrants that on individual test usually have a flow capacity of:CLASS AA1,500 gpm or greaterCLASS A1,000 gpm or greaterCLASS B500 to 1,000 gpmCLASS C<500 gpm
How do you fix a leaky outdoor frost free faucet?
1:493:02Fixing Faucets : How to Repair a Leak in a Frost-Proof Water FaucetYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll need to remove the bib washer first remove the screw. And then take your pick or knife andMoreYou'll need to remove the bib washer first remove the screw. And then take your pick or knife and remove the bib washer. Once you have your new washer you've matched up the proper.
How do you stop a freeze proof faucet from leaking?
If the faucet leaks from around the handle just when the water is turned on, the stem packing may be leaking. In some cases, you can fix this by simply tightening the retaining nut that's under the handle. Remove the screw in the center of the handle and pull the handle off. Try tightening the nut slightly (Photo 1).
What is a weep hole in spigot?
As you probably know by now, a frost-free yard hydrant has a weep hole at the bottom of the hydrant (in the brass valve body) that allows the hydrant to drain when it is shut off.
How does a fire hydrant weep hole work?
When in the 'closed' position, the valve lowers to block water passage and re-open drain holes at the bottom of the hydrant. These drain holes act as weeps which slowly drain the hydrant barrel and help prevent freezing.
Why is it important to have a fire hydrant installed?
As ground levels surrounding a fire hydrant change due to road widening, site work or landscaping, it’s important to make sure the hydrant’s height is adjusted to compensate for these changes.
What lubricant do you use on a hydrant?
To prevent seizing, stripping and binding, our hydrant repair team can be deployed to perform on-site lubrication of the hydrant valve stem. We use approved NSF-61 lubricants to keep the hydrant components moving smoothly.
Does Ferguson Waterworks repair fire hydrants?
If hydrant repair services are offered in your area, Ferguson Waterworks can help you extend resources by prolonging the life of the fire hydrants in your community. Contact us to request more information about our service offering in your market.
Why is my fire hydrant damaged?
Whether it's a small crack, a broken bolt or a geyser erupting as the barrel is completely sheared off, motor vehicles are responsible for most of the damaged caused when they run into, run over or back into a hydrant. Though you can provide some protection using posts or enclosures, these features can also make it more difficult to effectively hook up hoses and open the valve when the fire department responds to a blaze.
What is routine maintenance of hydrants?
Conduct routine hydrant maintenance to ensure all of your working parts are operating efficiently. Maintenance procedure may include flow testing, flushing and inspection of hydrants. For assistance in finding the right repair kits or scheduling service for your hydrants, please contact Team EJP today.
What about when your fire department responds to a blaze and the hydrant has frozen?
What about when your fire department responds to a blaze and the hydrant has frozen? With the extreme winters mother nature has tossed our way the past few years, frozen wet-barrel hydrants that have frozen due to lower-than-normal temperatures or dry-barrel hydrants that have had valve failures and have frozen are leaving fire departments in a desperate situation. With house fires far more prevalent in the winter than the summer, the hydrants that are needed more in the chilly months must continue to function. Regular testing helps avoid this problem.
Why do fire hydrants sit on the curb?
They sit on the curb, just waiting for the next car or truck to come spinning out of the intersection and cause significant damage to the barrel. They have burly firemen cranking down on the valves to make them stop flowing without checking if there's debris caught inside, damaging the valves. It's a hard knock life for fire hydrants.
How many hydrants were broken in New York City in 1920?
According to an article in the Journal of the American Water Works Association, increasing numbers of motor vehicles and traffic in New York City alone broke over 400 hydrants in one year, costing the city $12,000 in replacement costs. The year was 1920. It's a pretty easy conclusion that the number of broken hydrants and the cost have gone up significantly over time. A more recent occurrence in San Francisco sheared off the top of a hydrant barrel during a traffic accident, shooting water three stories into the air for ten minutes. Hours later, the water was still dripping from the apartment building and significant renovations had to be made to make it livable again.
How to keep hydrants visible?
Hydrant damage is bound to happen, but there are steps we can take to keep any damage few and far between. Use Hydrant Markers to keep your hydrants more visible to drivers, construction workers and other people operating equipment that can damage them. Doing so will help you and your utility save hours of extra labor and money.
Can you open a valve to allow debris to pass out?
Though opening the valve to allow the debris to pass out of the system is the right choice in this situation, it's not usually the one taken, leaving a leaky valve that needs repair.
How long does it take to repair a fire hydrant?
Many fire hydrant repairs can be completed in less than an hour, and most do not require the use of a backhoe. Typically, repairs may take from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the problem, as well as the make and model.
What happens when a fire hydrant is installed?
From the moment a fire hydrant is installed, it begins to rust. In time, the caps may rust so tight they cannot be removed. Valves and joints develop blistering and pitting to the point of becoming unusable. This is often referred to as being "galded.".
What is a hydrant doctor?
The Hydrant Doctor® inspects fire hydrants and provides you with a written assessment of their condition.
What is galded fire hydrant?
Hydrants in this condition can be very difficult to open, or even contain parts so corroded as to make using them under pressure a dangerous enterprise. In fire fighting, the last thing firemen want to fight is the fire hydrant they are depending on.
Is a hydrant doctor insured?
Hydrant Doctor is fully insured for work on fire hydrants.
Can Hydrant Doctor ship parts?
The Hydrant Doctor® can fabricate needed parts and ship them anywhere. In some cases, we are able to use non-rusting materials of greater specifications and durability than those originally installed.
Can a company have a preventative maintenance program for fire hydrants?
For less than the price of a cup of coffee per day, your company can have a preventative maintenance program that keeps your fire hydrants in perfect condition. You know the critical role PM plays in everything you do. It is no different with fire hydrant maintenance.
