Backflow preventer on hose bibs

[Golfer222]

Any way to remove these. I know they are code but I get drenched from the spray everytime I turn off spigot. There is an adapter sold called Spigot master but I shave to remove the backflow preventer first.

Anybody know of any work arounds?

[photo1902]

Any way to remove these. I know they are code but I get drenched from the spray everytime I turn off spigot. There is an adapter sold called Spigot master but I shave to remove the backflow preventer first.

Anybody know of any work arounds?

Use a 3/16" drill bit and gently drill out the threaded screw. Then using a pair of Channel Locks, unscrew the vacuum breaker.

[JohnN]

I just turn it off slowly and it seems to be a lot less of a problem. Here are some online instructions on removing it, though.

Step by Step Instructions
1. Locate the Set Screw

Look at the base of the spigot where the valve connects and check for a small set screw. Not all valves have them and they should be broken off when installed to make the valve impossible to remove. It can be removed using PB blaster and a handdrill.

2. Try to remove the valve with a wrench

In some cases it will be possible to remove the valve with a little elbow grease and a wrench. Try to twist the base and see if it wiggles. If you are able to move the valve keep going until it has been removed from the faucet.

3. Use a Drill Bit

In some cases if valve will not unscrew from the faucet – especially if it is a larger arrowhead spigot. If the valve won’t turn any further use a small drill bit to drill it out the rest of the way.

All you need is a small bit, some WD-40 and pressure on the set screw. After drilling out the screw the valve should detach from the hose spigot.

4. Attach New Hose Bib

In order to convert your outdoor spigot back into a normal faucet that can use a hose you will need to install a new valve called a hose bib to replace the preventer.

They are simple to install and should allow your garden to hose to form a water-tight attachment when the water is turned on. Make sure to test out the new valve!

[retiredguy123]

You can cut it off with a Dremel cutting tool. There are YouTube videos showing how to do it.

The backflow device is attached with a set screw that can be tightened, but, if you try to unscrew it the screw head will fall off.

[photo1902]

You need to cut it off with a Dremel cutting tool. There are YouTube videos showing how to do it.

The backflow device is attached with a set screw that can be tightened, but, if you try to unscrew it the screw head will fall off.

See Post 2. I've removed and replaced dozens upon dozens of them. And whatever you do, don't try to unscrew it without first drilling out the set screw!

[Topspinmo]

Use a 3/16" drill bit and gently drill out the threaded screw. Then using a pair of Channel Locks, unscrew the vacuum breaker.

Agree, except use vise grips or another set of pliers to hold the spigot so the internal pipe sweat connection or glued PCV don’t get broken. I also center punch the break off screw stud, it easier just drilling the soft metal screw than housing. Plus have to be carefully not to drill into the spigot threads.

When I install new on I don’t tighten the lock screw so tight that it breaks off as designed

[villagetinker]

Just hold the hose ON while turning the water off at the bib, I rarely get a shower, just a little water at the bib.

[Topspinmo]

Just hold the hose ON while turning the water off at the bib, I rarely get a shower, just a little water at the bib.

Netpickers like me can’t stand leak.

[Golfer222]

Just now tried to shut the water off very slowly with the hose open- drying off as I type

[DARFAP]

I clamped an empty bottled water bottle (cut it down the side) over the spigot and connected hose using nylon ties. This captures the spray.

[lorilorilori]

alternative - remove the screen and leave the brass fitting. Wonder who in the world made these mandatory !!!:a040:

[DaleDivine]

Just rap a towel around it before turning it off.
Then throw wet towel in washer, dryer or hang it up to dry.
:welcome::bigbow::welcome:

[J1ceasar]

Your lovely government and water system for your health.

[Brchy88]

Any way to remove these. I know they are code but I get drenched from the spray everytime I turn off spigot. There is an adapter sold called Spigot master but I shave to remove the backflow preventer first.

Anybody know of any work arounds?

Flow the hose while turning off the spigot. It won’t spray you. Easy work around. 👌🏼

[Golfer222]

tried that- didnt work for me- still drenched

[Windguy]

alternative - remove the screen and leave the brass fitting. Wonder who in the world made these mandatory !!!:a040:
Hoses are full of bacteria. If there is a water main break while your hose is running, the water in the hose will flow back into your water service and contaminate it for you and your neighbors.

You know, it’s not like there are civil servants that sit around trying to think up random rules just to annoy the citizenry. In this case, people got sick and then the agency responsible came up with a way to prevent it from happening. That idea then became code.

[gemini5001]

I removed mine for the same reason.

[birdawg]

tried that- didnt work for me- still drenchedgo with the towel idea

[stadry]

[i'm confused thought backckflow preventers wereusually installed on sanitary sewer lines,,, are you thinking frost-proof devices? i used channel locks but small pipe wrench ( vise grips will also do the trick!.placing hand over spray also did the job......

[3105boy]

Any way to remove these. I know they are code but I get drenched from the spray everytime I turn off spigot. There is an adapter sold called Spigot master but I shave to remove the backflow preventer first.

Anybody know of any work arounds?
Just tie a ribbon of cloth around the brass fitting. It will substantially reduce the spray.

[photo1902]

[i'm confused thought backckflow preventers wereusually installed on sanitary sewer lines,,, are you thinking frost-proof devices? i used channel locks but small pipe wrench ( vise grips will also do the trick!.placing hand over spray also did the job......

They’re required by code on hose bibs. That being said, we’re on a closed loop system, so there is no chance of contaminated water from a hose, or hose end sprayer, affecting anything but your home. And even that is highly unlikely

[dewilson58]

Anybody know of any work arounds?

Jus have Ur spouse shut it off.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Keep an old umbrella by the hose bid!

[Mohawksin]

Hoses are full of bacteria. If there is a water main break while your hose is running, the water in the hose will flow back into your water service and contaminate it for you and your neighbors.

You know, it’s not like there are civil servants that sit around trying to think up random rules just to annoy the citizenry. In this case, people got sick and then the agency responsible came up with a way to prevent it from happening. That idea then became code.
Coming from WI I can tell you that these backflow preventers are indigenous to the South. Comments above are true with respect to backflow and there is reference to water main breaks which do happen and the backflow preventer does it job. However, it does not need a main break to be useful. If the hose is left connected out in the sun with the spigot nearly closed or closed, the pressure buildup in the hose will exceed the city water pressure and the hose water will backflow through the spigot. The spigot is not designed to stop water in both directions.

[BostonRich]

Just hold the hose ON while turning the water off at the bib, I rarely get a shower, just a little water at the bib.

Sorry, but that does not work.

[dewilson58]

Sorry, but that does not work.

Works for me. If it doesn't for you, just put your cry towel over it.

[brick010207]

I'm amazed at the amount of effort people will exert to deal with an "inconvenience" at most. If this amount of effort and brain power and effort to deal with them was applied to the real problems we face this world would be a much better place. Just sayin!

[golfing eagles]

Sorry, but that does not work.

Well, if you think you get wet turning the hose off, try adjusting your sprinkler heads:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[nick demis]

alternative - remove the screen and leave the brass fitting. Wonder who in the world made these mandatory !!!:a040:

If you hook up your hose to a fertilizer. or put the end of the hose into a bucket of foul water, you can contaminate the water supply if any kind of negative pressure occurs, which can be something as simple as flushing a toilet. This device breaks the connection to stop it from happening.

[HRDave]

Use a 3/16" drill bit and gently drill out the threaded screw. Then using a pair of Channel Locks, unscrew the vacuum breaker.

That’s exactly how I removed mine as well. I sprayed a little CRC Knock’r Loose penetrating oil on it & let it do it’s thing for about 10 minutes before attempting to turn it because it’s really on the spigot tight. Like others said, use another pair of Channel Locks or Vice Grips to hold the spigot in place while removing the backflow to prevent damage to the plumbing.
Remember! Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey! 😎

[cherylncliff]

alternative - remove the screen and leave the brass fitting. Wonder who in the world made these mandatory !!!:a040:

They are mandatory to prevent water from hose backing up into house water. If you plan on selling the house at any point, you will need to replace them if you have removed them.

"Back Flow preventers are devices that are often times added on to the end of a hose spigot. The purpose of a backflow preventer on a garden hose spigot is to prevent tainted water from entering the drinking water system. Let me explain it like this: If your neighbors house is on fire and there are firemen using fire hoses to put it out, the amount back pressure needed could actually suck the dirty water out of the bucket your using to wash your car. If there was no back flow preventor on the line our clean drinking water could be compromised. That is why they have made it code to have a back flow preventor on your hose spigot."

I have had them on our house for over 10 years and never had a problem shutting off the water.

[Jokomo]

Any way to remove these. I know they are code but I get drenched from the spray everytime I turn off spigot. There is an adapter sold called Spigot master but I shave to remove the backflow preventer first.

Anybody know of any work arounds?

“I know these are code but…”. Those words tells me you’re looking to violate some government law or ordinance. I’m actually stunned by the number of people here who don’t believe the laws apply to them. See the posts on how to make carts go faster than 20 mph, or which complain about people going the speed limit on our 35/45 mph roads, or advocate for lawn ornaments which clearly violate community standards and deed restrictions, etc etc.
And it seems more and more of these posts contain threats directed at anyone who might challenge them for their actions. All these things add up and will ultimately ensure that The Villages becomes a city rather than a Community. Please stop.

[retiredguy123]

They are mandatory to prevent water from hose backing up into house water. If you plan on selling the house at any point, you will need to replace them if you have removed them.

"Back Flow preventers are devices that are often times added on to the end of a hose spigot. The purpose of a backflow preventer on a garden hose spigot is to prevent tainted water from entering the drinking water system. Let me explain it like this: If your neighbors house is on fire and there are firemen using fire hoses to put it out, the amount back pressure needed could actually suck the dirty water out of the bucket your using to wash your car. If there was no back flow preventor on the line our clean drinking water could be compromised. That is why they have made it code to have a back flow preventor on your hose spigot."

I have had them on our house for over 10 years and never had a problem shutting off the water.
The same principle applies to all faucets in your house. That is why the faucet outlet is located above the overflow level of the sink. But, if you connect a hose to a faucet, like the laundry tub, you can contaminate the water if it backs up into your house.

[DAVES]

“I know these are code but…”. Those words tells me you’re looking to violate some government law or ordinance. I’m actually stunned by the number of people here who don’t believe the laws apply to them. See the posts on how to make carts go faster than 20 mph, or which complain about people going the speed limit on our 35/45 mph roads, or advocate for lawn ornaments which clearly violate community standards and deed restrictions, etc etc.
And it seems more and more of these posts contain threats directed at anyone who might challenge them for their actions. All these things add up and will ultimately ensure that The Villages becomes a city rather than a Community. Please stop.

People and codes-laws. You will find it is the same people, plumbing, special parking, dogs, golf cart speeds, vaccines etc etc etc. Oh and name calling

[Heytubes]

There is a safety reason. Years ago a person was spraying insecticide with a hose attachment. Put the hose down and went inside for a glass of water from the kitchen. Got sick and died as the poison back flowed into the house and he drank it.

[Heytubes]

They are mandatory to prevent water from hose backing up into house water. If you plan on selling the house at any point, you will need to replace them if you have removed them.

"Back Flow preventers are devices that are often times added on to the end of a hose spigot. The purpose of a backflow preventer on a garden hose spigot is to prevent tainted water from entering the drinking water system. Let me explain it like this: If your neighbors house is on fire and there are firemen using fire hoses to put it out, the amount back pressure needed could actually suck the dirty water out of the bucket your using to wash your car. If there was no back flow preventor on the line our clean drinking water could be compromised. That is why they have made it code to have a back flow preventor on your hose spigot."

I have had them on our house for over 10 years and never had a problem shutting off the water.
Death from insecticide

[Golfer222]

“I know these are code but…”. Those words tells me you’re looking to violate some government law or ordinance. I’m actually stunned by the number of people here who don’t believe the laws apply to them. See the posts on how to make carts go faster than 20 mph, or which complain about people going the speed limit on our 35/45 mph roads, or advocate for lawn ornaments which clearly violate community standards and deed restrictions, etc etc.
And it seems more and more of these posts contain threats directed at anyone who might challenge them for their actions. All these things add up and will ultimately ensure that The Villages becomes a city rather than a Community. Please stop.

when standard hose bibs are outlawed, only outlaws will have standard hose bibs
now I wish I hadn't removed that mattress tag

[DonnaNi4os]

89789Any way to remove these. I know they are code but I get drenched from the spray everytime I turn off spigot. There is an adapter sold called Spigot master but I shave to remove the backflow preventer first.

Anybody know of any work arounds?

I created my own shield that prevents me from getting a shower every time I use the hose. I’m trying to post a photo.

[MrLonzo]

When I installed a backflow preventer on my hose bib, I did not tighten the set screw so it can easily be removed. That screw has no functional purpose other than to try to prevent removal of the backflow preventer. If it fails, you need to either replace the entire valve or start drilling! I know that many homeowners have no idea that such a device is required by code.

Not sure why code can dictate such things but not require hose bib manufacturers to make their products with built in backflow preventers. That's probably coming...

[mskaggs]

………

[Golfer222]

I created my own shield that prevents me from getting a shower every time I use the hose. I’m trying to post a photo.

what is that you used and how did you connect it to the faucet?

[Blueblaze]

The reason it sprays you is that the little rubber goodie inside that's suppose to prevent back-flow probably rotted and quit working about 3 years after the house was built. They don't spray like that when they're new.

It's a really useless device, designed primarily to make rich the guy who invented it and then convinced some bureaucrat to force you to buy it. Think about it -- in order for some nasty bug to sneak from your hose all the way into your stomach, it has to somehow get past a closed hose bib valve, or swim upstream a distance equivalent to you walking to the moon -- only it has to swim through chlorinated water designed to kill it.

The uselessness of this device explains how hundreds of millions of people somehow survived hose bibs prior to the invention of the backflow preventer -- and still do, in places where they aren't required by code.