Question
QUESTION: If my back flow preventer is bad would I get a slight brown water when I first turn on faucets in the house.  How could I check this?  It seems to be the worse at the height of the season when the sprinklers run more.  Thanks

ANSWER: Hey Jan, I hope this helps. The easiest thing to do, is to turn the main valve off that feeds the sprinkling system, and then check and see if you are still getting the brown water. If you are, then you have something else going on. If it don't get the brown water when the system is turned off, then you could have a problem with the back flow preventer. You would need a professional that could actually test your backflow preventer to know for sure. It is very rare that you would get brown water coming from your sprinkling system. I would suspect another source, have you checked with your neighbors to see if they get the same thing. Are you on a public water supply? Thanks and have a great day.

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QUESTION: We are on a public water system and have had plumbers check water tanks we have 3 and also to rule out bad pipe. We replaced a re-circulating pump and checked every possible thing we can think of.  If there is a problem with sprinkler heads not popping up could that cause an issue?  I just want to thank you for your input on this annoying problem! After 2 years, I learned more than I ever thought I should know about plumbing.  We have a great plumber and he has checked everything he can think of.  We even recently had the 2 hot water tanks re plumbed to pull water from the top of the tanks and that didn't help either.  Again, thanks for your prompt response.   Jan

Answer
Hey Jan, all I can think of, is if you have more than one connection to the sprinkling system. When you turn off your backflow preventer, does this shut off water to "all" the valves on the sprinkling system? If it doesn't, then you might have another connection feeding your sprinkling system. Also,  when you turned off the backflow preventer, do you still get dirty water? Heads not popping up would not be an issue. I can only suggest they check for more than one connection feeding your sprinklers. Let me know if I can be of further help, thanks and have a great day.