Back-flow Preventers

SJH · 01-23-2022, 03:47 PM

I'm a camp host at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, Texas.
Recently one of the rangers asked me to install back-flow preventers at all sites that were missing them. He asked that I not tighten the set screws because people who want to take them off will force them 0ff and ruin the threads on the faucets. Three days after making sure all the campsite faucets had the preventers, four were already gone, completely removed and taken.

So my question is, why do people take them? I've been camping at state parks for over 20 years and I have had no issues with those preventers.

The problem for the park is they are required to have back-flow preventers on any faucet that might be connected to an RV water connection. Continually replacing those gets expensive. If for whatever reason they don't like them, they could at least leave them there.

Any clues?

Steve

**JFlightRisk** · 01-23-2022, 04:00 PM

Maybe they think they're pressure regulators instead of backflow preventers. They are on our state park spigots, but are secured. Or there's the "not chained down so it's free" attitude some might have.

mtpocket21 · 01-23-2022, 04:01 PM

The world has changed. People will steal anything these days not secured. The park should probably consider installing something more permanent before the faucet.

ARoamer · 01-23-2022, 04:46 PM

No idea why a backflow preventer would be a theft item. I do have problems with one type that has a brass cross in the outlet that crushes my regulator screen, that screen then gets changed to a regular hose washer. Also I had a backflow preventer that leaked quite bad at a private CG, I swapped it from a vacant campsite. Even with the setscrew loose one was a struggle getting off!

travelingjw · 01-23-2022, 05:34 PM

Have to laugh at this one. I hadn't seen one on a spigot before so I took it off and gave it to "lost and found." Host came over a few minutes later and thanked me, then put it back on and explained what it was. Whoops!

**JFlightRisk** · 01-23-2022, 06:05 PM

My first experience with one, not knowing what it was at the time, ended as an embarrassment. A campsite WAY up on a hill. Water pumps used to boost pressure up there. We had terrible water pressure the entire week, which I had mentioned in passing to the owner. Well, it seems the cone screen washer in our hose depressed the little lever in the center of that thingy and reduced the flow. Found that out the last day. Lesson learned, and I apologized to the owner on the way out.

Now I check flow at the faucet, not at the city water inlet.

CAG · 01-23-2022, 06:49 PM

Most every house that I have bought and lived in have had them on the hose bibs. Not sure why these would be a big surprise to anyone. Most city water departments require them.

As far as them being removed. Who knows. People are ignorant.

**Midnightmoon** · 01-23-2022, 07:05 PM

I have never come across one at a campground. I wonder if it is more of a regionally used item.

SmokerBill · 01-23-2022, 07:33 PM

They probably assumed that the last camper forgot it and left it on, so they figured it was fair game to take.

Jagiven · 01-23-2022, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

They probably assumed that the last camper forgot it and left it on, so they figured it was fair game to take.

X2, that was my first thought too.

dxrobertson · 01-24-2022, 06:36 AM

I also didnt know what they were upon encountering them, thought a previous camper left it there. I have removed them and set them aside, didnt need to take it, just left it there.

TxLoser · 01-24-2022, 07:32 AM

I didn’t know either. Like many things, I looked at it, didn’t know what it was, assumed it was part of the outlet and everything worked so just left it in place. Never thought it again. I see them frequently in Texas and Arkansas state parks. Now I know. I think my house has them as well.

SJH · 01-25-2022, 11:27 AM

The park is considering getting faucets with the backflow integrated.

SJH · 01-25-2022, 11:37 AM

I think its a combination of all the ideas proposed.
I have to admit, when I first saw them, and it crushed my regulator screen- I thought someone left it behind. There are a lot of new RVers who are going through the same learning curve we did.

16WhiteColly · 01-26-2022, 06:37 PM

They may be stealing them because they are brass and if they get enough of them it makes selling for scrap worth while.

**JFlightRisk** · 01-26-2022, 07:00 PM

They won't get rich here in NY at about $2.35 a pound.

RedHorse1 · 01-29-2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

They probably assumed that the last camper forgot it and left it on, so they figured it was fair game to take.

I agree. Forgot to remove my pressure regulator when packing. It was gone 2 hrs later. Of course it was a nice adjustable one. I try to make every possible mistake at least once

TWP723 · 01-29-2022, 01:03 PM

They're taking them because they think it's a free or "left behind" regulator. Kinda funny actually.

Dobbs · 01-29-2022, 03:37 PM

Our municipality requires these back flow regulators on our outside faucets on my house. First winter my faucet on the north side of the house froze and come Spring I had a mess in the basement and learned how to sweat copper pipe. Now they come off when I put my hoses away.
They do what they are supposed to do but can be a PITA!

Bayoutalker · 01-29-2022, 04:36 PM

Another thought is that it simply unscrewed and stayed on the the hose and the person never noticed. It just went home with someone.

When they are installed, if you don't want to use the set screw, a drop or two of blue Locktite will help it to stay put and can still be taken off if need be.

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