hours to drain the system enough to make repairs. We had noticed that the more we tried to shut valves off, the more waterleaked out. This usually implies a crack ink which is not so uncommon.


the valve,


BUT WE WERE WRONG…VERY, VERY WRONG. When we got to the hydrant valve we noticed three of the bolts were sheared at the crown. This can be caused by ground shifting or pressure and would explain the leak. We pulled the bolts and found them potted and discolored. “I’ll run to the supply house and get all new bolts for this valve and a gasket kit. Chop, chop!” I laughed, relieved to have found the problem. “You guys start disassembling the valve.”


I drove to a long-time trusted supply house I had used for over thirty years. If anyonef


stepped in the door to be greeted by their trademark signk “For service ring Zie Belle.”


“I need a bolt and gasket kit for a G&S 4-inch hydrant valve,” I said.


“What town is this for?” All heads turned to the bolt in my hand.


“Waukegan. Why?” I asked puzzled. “How old is the building?” the counter guy asked. “I don’t know, maybe, twenty-five or thirty years.” “Oh, no,” they chuckled in unison.


Why you ask? As it turns out, the hydrants for private property made by G&S had steel bolts that became directly affected by the acidic soil in Waukegan.


“You can’t reseal these valves. You have to replace them. How many are there?”


Cue the horror music: DUNT, DUNT,DUN! It took threek


years and a lot of money toy the Hydrant valves. replace all had these parts it was them. I


SO,


WHERE DO YOU LIVE?


44 | COMMON INTEREST® • Fall 2023 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60