Backflow Prevention Device

[edsan]

General Question, has anyone ever had there Backflow Prevention Device" check and who did you use?
I checked and it seems most places I have found are all plumbing companies.

[retiredguy123]

Which backflow prevention device are you referring to? I believe that the only backflow preventer is on the incoming water supply line, and it is in the meter box on the county side of the meter. So, it doesn't belong to the homeowner. This is the case for most Villages houses.

Note that a backflow preventer on the sanitary sewer pipe is illegal by code if the house finished floor level is higher than the manhole cover in the street, which is the case for most Villages houses.

[villagetinker]

Are you asking about the device on the outside spigot?

[Topspinmo]

Are you asking about the device on the outside spigot?

That and in north on irrigation.

[villagetinker]

That and in north on irrigation.

Sorry, I am completely confused now, the units on the spigots are "vacuum brakers" and are designed to prevent the backflow of hose water into the house. If you have one of these and it is leaking, you can get a replacement from Lowe's for under $10. The trick is getting the old one off, I have found that cutting a slot into the broken off screw will allow you to use a screw driver to loosen the screw and then remove the defective vacuum breaker, then install the new one. I typically do not break off the set screw device so I can replace in the future easily.

[Topspinmo]

Sorry, I am completely confused now, the units on the spigots are "vacuum brakers" and are designed to prevent the backflow of hose water into the house. If you have one of these and it is leaking, you can get a replacement from Lowe's for under $10. The trick is getting the old one off, I have found that cutting a slot into the broken off screw will allow you to use a screw driver to loosen the screw and then remove the defective vacuum breaker, then install the new one. I typically do not break off the set screw device so I can replace in the future easily.

I don’t break set screw off either. I always have spare.

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Zurn-1-720A-Wilkins-Pressure-Assembly/dp/B00KI0WQTA/ref=asc_df_B00KI0WQTA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693420779708&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9819748812225408027&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015116&hvtargid=pla-365069371573&psc=1&mcid=67bec3a24243314ba27a2cb5faf1c44f)


Areas. not on pond water irrigation has these which most don’t know about them till the leak. I sure talking about outside house spigot?

[fdpaq0580]

I don’t break set screw off either. I always have spare.

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Zurn-1-720A-Wilkins-Pressure-Assembly/dp/B00KI0WQTA/ref=asc_df_B00KI0WQTA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693420779708&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9819748812225408027&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015116&hvtargid=pla-365069371573&psc=1&mcid=67bec3a24243314ba27a2cb5faf1c44f)


Areas. not on pond water irrigation has these which most don’t know about them till the leak. I sure talking about outside house spigot?

I hate those things! Even time I turn the water off I get soaked. Never saw one until we moved here. 🤨

[retiredguy123]

I hate those things! Even time I turn the water off I get soaked. Never saw one until we moved here. ������
Try leaving the hose connected and the hose valve open when you turn the spigot off. Another option is to add a second valve to the spigot that you can purchase at Lowes or Home Depot, that you can use this instead of the main spigot, which you can leave open. These cost less than $10 and they screw directly onto the main spigot.

I am pretty sure that the code requirement for a vacuum breaker on outside hose bibbs is in effect almost everywhere now. In colder areas, they also require the hose bibb to have a drainable device to prevent freezing.

[fdpaq0580]

Try leaving the hose connected and the hose valve open when you turn the spigot off. I am pretty sure that the code requirement for a vacuum breaker on outside hose bibbs is in effect almost everywhere now. In colder areas, they also require the hose bibb to have a drainable device to prevent freezing.

I seldom use a hose valve so I see no need for a vacuum breaker. Also, one would expect the spigot valve to prevent backflow when the water is turned off. Even with a hose valve shut, if one turns the watter off then opens the hose valve to release pressure for hose removal one will not get sprayed by the back pressure release since you direct the flow from the hose valve. Never needed a vacuum breaker b4, why now? Seems an unnecessary gimmick/gadget to me. Jmho.
As for code requirement, wonder which politician's brother made millions off manufacturing of this thing? ������������

[retiredguy123]

I seldom use a hose valve so I see no need for a vacuum breaker. Also, one would expect the spigot valve to prevent backflow when the water is turned off. Even with a hose valve shut, if one turns the watter off then opens the hose valve to release pressure for hose removal one will not get sprayed by the back pressure release since you direct the flow from the hose valve. Never needed a vacuum breaker b4, why now? Seems an unnecessary gimmick/gadget to me. Jmho.
As for code requirement, wonder which politician's brother made millions off manufacturing of this thing? ������������
The purpose for the vacuum breaker is to prevent contaminated water from backing up into your house. For example, suppose you connect a hose to the spigot and then put the other end into a bucket of toxic chemicals. Or, you have a contaminated material inside the hose. Then, you have a leak or a pressure drop inside your house. The reduced pressure could suck contaminated water into your house. If you notice, none of the faucets in your house have a threaded hose connection, and all of the faucets discharge water above the sink or tub rim. This prevents water from backing up into the faucet.

If you want to prevent getting soaked when you turn off the spigot, the easiest way is to buy a secondary brass or plastic valve that will screw onto the spigot, and just leave the spigot with the vacuum breaker open all the time.

[fdpaq0580]

The purpose for the vacuum breaker is to prevent contaminated water from backing up into your house. For example, suppose you connect a hose to the spigot and then put the other end into a bucket of toxic chemicals. Or, you have a contaminated material inside the hose. Then, you have a leak or a pressure drop inside your house. The reduced pressure could suck contaminated water into your house. If you notice, none of the faucets in your house have a threaded hose connection, and all of the faucets discharge water above the sink or tub rim. This prevents water from backing up into the faucet.

If you want to prevent getting soaked when you turn off the spigot, the easiest way is to buy a secondary brass or plastic valve that will screw onto the spigot, and just leave the spigot with the vacuum breaker open all the time.

Hoses remain attached to spigot and are stored on reels. My answer to being sprayed is to wrap the spigot and connected hose with a rag when turning off the water. I'll definitely check out the secondary valve next time I'm at Ace. Thanks!

[Topspinmo]

The purpose for the vacuum breaker is to prevent contaminated water from backing up into your house. For example, suppose you connect a hose to the spigot and then put the other end into a bucket of toxic chemicals. Or, you have a contaminated material inside the hose. Then, you have a leak or a pressure drop inside your house. The reduced pressure could suck contaminated water into your house. If you notice, none of the faucets in your house have a threaded hose connection, and all of the faucets discharge water above the sink or tub rim. This prevents water from backing up into the faucet.

If you want to prevent getting soaked when you turn off the spigot, the easiest way is to buy a secondary brass or plastic valve that will screw onto the spigot, and just leave the spigot with the vacuum breaker open all the time.

How can that happen if spigot turned off? I understand the irrigation system cause it’s pressurized put to control valves with not cut off other than zone valves.

[retiredguy123]

How can that happen if spigot turned off? I understand the irrigation system cause it’s pressurized put to control valves with not cut off other than zone valves.
The spigot must be open for the backflow to occur.

[CarlR33]

Original poster Edsan, no replies or clarification…….just sayin