General • Inspections

Replace Air Ball Valve on a Hydrant

A step-by-step guide for the safe removal and replacement of an air ball valve on a hydrant system, ensuring proper isolation, depressurization, and installation procedures are followed to restore reliable airflow control and maintain full hydrant system integrity upon return to service.

Mt. Snow - Snowmaking

08/03/2026

Replace Air Ball Valve on a Hydrant

This procedure ensures that a faulty or worn air ball valve is safely removed and replaced on the hydrant system following proper isolation and depressurization procedures, restoring reliable air flow control, maintaining the integrity of the hydrant infrastructure, and preventing leaks or operational failures that could compromise system performance or site safety.

remove broken ball valve and replace

heat the ball valve connection to the 90 degree elbow
use 2 pipe wrenches to remove top 90 degree elbow
heat ball valve connection to stand pipe
use 2 pipe wrenches to remove ball valve from stand pipe
add pipe thread sealant to male threads and reassemble, ensuring ball valve handle is secure from accidental activation
tighten with pipe wrenches

Source: Mt. Snow - Snowmaking (Community Member)

remove broken ball valve and replace

heat the ball valve connection to the 90 degree elbow

use 2 pipe wrenches to remove top 90 degree elbow

heat ball valve connection to stand pipe

use 2 pipe wrenches to remove ball valve from stand pipe

add pipe thread sealant to male threads and reassemble, ensuring ball valve handle is secure from accidental activation

tighten with pipe wrenches