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So I visited NYC last summer. Rode my bike around the city and it seems like a lot of areas up on the upper east side had fire hydrants open with water flowing out.
It's a tradition for the millionaires on the upper east side to leave their penthouses during heat waves and frolic in front of open hydrants. It's part of NYC.
If you use a spray cap, which can be obtained from your local fire department, then yes it is legal to open the hydrants for fun. However the vast majority of hydrants you see open in the summer do not have these, which is illegal and wastes hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of water a minute.
It's possible this is being done as a maintenance activity to make sure water flows out as needed in an emergency. The link below isn't from New York City, but the concept is the same:
It's possible this is being done as a maintenance activity to make sure water flows out as needed in an emergency. The link below isn't from New York City, but the concept is the same:
It is also done periodically to flush settled mud out of the system. It is the same system as the drinking water supply so keeping the pipes clean is a good idea.
Also, all valves, including those in your home should be exercised periodically to prevent them from corroding in either the open or shut position.
(A good time to open and close all your valves at the beginning of each year, sinks, toilets, radiators, water heaters and main input if you have a private home. In an emergency, you do not want to find water spraying around with no means to shut it off. A drop of oil onto each valve stem is a good idea too.)
It is also done periodically to flush settled mud out of the system. It is the same system as the drinking water supply so keeping the pipes clean is a good idea.
Also, all valves, including those in your home should be exercised periodically to prevent them from corroding in either the open or shut position.
(A good time to open and close all your valves at the beginning of each year, sinks, toilets, radiators, water heaters and main input if you have a private home. In an emergency, you do not want to find water spraying around with no means to shut it off. A drop of oil onto each valve stem is a good idea too.)
A few years ago the cold water pipe under my kitchen sink broke apart when I closed the cabinet under the sink. I went to turn the valve for the sink off and water started pouring out of valve after I turned it. I shut the main water valve for the house and thankfully that worked. If you haven't opened and closed the valves in many years have a plan if they leak.
(A properly exercised valve will not leak the first time you need it. It is the valves that are untouched for 10 years that will leak when forced, as they usually must be.)
So readers, turn all your valves on off and on again or vice versa. Do it today. It only takes a very few minutes. If one cannot be turned, call your super to deal with it. If he breaks it, it's on the landlord...the super is his agent.
When I moved in, I had a couple valves that needed Hercules but I am strong. One, however, a steam valve, was completely impossible and had to be replaced so I could turn off the heat in a bedroom.
Valves are wonderful, but like penises, they must be exercised regularly to work the way they were meant to.
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