Back flow thingie

[fcgiii]

On our outdoor faucets there are brass pieces between the end of the faucet and the hose connector. When you turn the water off it spurts water all over you. My neighbor says it is for back flow. What is it for and can I remove the dam thing?

[Keefelane66]

déjá vu yes you can.

[retiredguy123]

There are several other threads on this topic. It is called a vacuum breaker and is required by code. Do a search. It prevents water contamination by not allowing backflow into the house. Yes, there are ways to remove it, but it is designed to not be removed. One way to reduce the splash is to leave the hose sprayer open when you close the faucet. Another thing you can do is to add a small metal valve onto the faucet and use that to turn the water on and off. Very inexpensive at Home Depot or Lowes and easy to screw on.

[Mosells]

Also when you sell your house the buyers home inspection will ding you if the thingi is missing.

[thevillages2013]

On our outdoor faucets there are brass pieces between the end of the faucet and the hose connector. When you turn the water off it spurts water all over you. My neighbor says it is for back flow. What is it for and can I remove the dam thing?

Why don’t you make a shield out of something plastic like a coffee can lid that you can just leave on there

[villagetinker]

If you hold the hose ON while turning the water off there is very little spray, also you can add a hose shutoff after the vacuum breaker and before the hose, turn it off then turn off the water, no spray. I use both methods at my house.

[mulligan]

Why don’t you make a shield out of something plastic like a coffee can lid that you can just leave on there

What is this coffee can you speak of ???

[photo1902]

Drill out the setscrew and remove it completely

[vintageogauge]

I simply tied a piece of cloth around where it comes out, problem solved in 30 seconds

[thevillages2013]

What is this coffee can you speak of ???

Yes, glad to be of service oh mulligan you mulligan you. Just a simple large plastic lid like on a Folgers coffee can/container. Drill a hole in that sucker and cut it so it will slide over the valve stem. More than one way to skin a cat. Obviously the OP is tired of getting wet! We are coffee snobs and would never drink a coffee such as Folgers:a040: