Patent ID: 7644730

Claim:
A method for isolating an appliance in a plumbing system from a first fluid source comprising: providing a first valve having a first flow path and a drain flow path in a unitary structure; actuating said first valve from a first position to a second position, in said first position a first fluid source communicates with said appliance through said first flow path of said first valve, in said second position a second fluid source communicates with said appliance through said drain flow path of said first valve; attaching a flushing mechanism to the drain flow path of said first valve; pumping a flushing fluid from said flushing mechanism into said drain flow path of said first valve, said flushing fluid flowing into said appliance; and providing a second valve having at least a first flow path and a drain flow path in a unitary structure; actuating said second valve from a first position to a second position, in said first position said appliance communicates with said plumbing system, in said second position said appliance communicates with said drain flow path of said second valve, said flushing fluid flowing through said appliance and out said drain flow path of said second valve.