Back Flo Preventer
 

Both my hose bibs have back-flo preventers that spray water all the time the water is on so they need to be replaced. The problem is the set screws are on the bottom making it impossible to drill out the screws. Looking for a way to do this. I have a hack saw but that could make a mess. Any idea's?

There are other threads on this topic. Do a search. One method is to use a Dremel cutting tool to cut off the device, being careful to not damage the hose bibb threads. Another is to use a large wrench to unscrew the device, but, if you do this, be very careful to not cause a leak inside the exterior wall. You can also replace the entire hose bibb.

I was thinking just replace the hose bib. There are two screws holding it. Do I just remove the screws and with a wrench turn the hose bib counter clockwise?

Maybe. Note that the hose bibb is attached to a plastic pipe inside the wall. I'm not sure if the hose bibb was screwed onto a plastic threaded fitting which was glued to the pipe, or connected directly to the pipe with a compression or glued connection. In any event, you need to turn off the water and there is a risk that you will create a leak inside the wall if the hose bibb doesn't come off easily. If the pipe leaks, you will need to cut a hole in the exterior wall to get access to the leak. In the meantime, your house water will be off. I wouldn't attempt it myself.

I think the easier way to go is to buy a Dremel cutting tool and cut off the vacuum breaker (backflow device). Watch a YouTube video before doing it. It looks pretty easy. Good luck.

Thanks, I have seen the U-tube videos. One thing I don't want to do is cause a disaster in the wall.

There's one set screw which holds it in place. Use a 3/16' drill bit to carefully drill it out, then use a pair of Channel Locks to unscrew it.

I can't get at the back flo preventer set screw because it is underneath on the bottom.

Thats a common occurrence. Take some PB Blaster penetrant. Spray the threads (or as close as you can). Let it sit for a few minutes. Using Channel Locks, twist the vacuum-breaker to the point you can access the set screw.

As other posters mentioned, use care while doing this, especially if it's on a vinyl siding house, as the hose bibb isn't always securely mounted to the wall. On most stucco/block homes, holding off the fitting isn't necessary. Once you get to the point you can drill out the screw, you'll be good. The problem with not drilling out the set screw is that it's almost a guarantee you'll screw up the threads on the hose bibb itself

I tried that already and afraid if I use more force something in the wall may break

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that if you are able to cut off the vacuum breaker with a Dremel tool, the set screw will come off with it. You will be fine as long as you don't damage the threads on the hose bibb.

I don't know why the vacuum breaker leaks with the water turned on, but you could try to add a small metal valve to the end of the hose bibb, and leave the main valve in the full open position. But, if the vacuum breaker continues to leak, that will not work. The vacuum breaker should not leak with the valve open.

I had Village Plumber LLC remove the old (leaky) back-flo preventers, as I didn’t want to cause a major repair issue if I tried. He replaced them with new without tightening the set screws. I then removed them and will replace them when and if the house is sold. Also replaced the old dial on/off with a tab twist on the bibs.

Hold with pair of channel locks/ vise grips while twisting the backflow.

Nothings impossible! File the head down flat and drill it out or use WD40 and vise grips.

Don’t y’all know the back flow preventers are on there for a reason?

My understanding is that if you have a hose connected to the faucet when water pressure drops for something like fire trucks trying to put out a fire, the contaminated water inside the hose will be sucked back into the water supply and not only contaminate your water, but that of your neighbors.

If there’s such a thing, I can see replacing a leaky device with one that doesn’t leak, but just removing it sounds like a bad idea.

The issue is that after a few years they fail, which results in being sprayed. Hence the reason you have to replace them periodically.

They have set screws? I removed one for a friend last month using a couple locking pliers. I didn’t see a set screw, but if there was one that broke off, no wonder it was so hard to unscrew. Are these required. I figured the back flow preventer was on there because she used to have a hot tub that got water from that hose bib.

They are required by the Plumbing code for all outside hose bibbs. The purpose is to prevent a negative pressure in the line from contaminating the potable water system in the house. The set screw is designed to make the device non-removable.

didn't like
 

I didn't like them had Roger get rid of them I think he said you have to be careful doing it

When you twist the device with the set screw in place, doesn't that cause the set screw to cut into the threads and possibly damage them?

Hose bib removal
 

Hey,yes I had same problem
You slowly dril out set screw, while periodically turning hose bib loose with channel lock pliers until it spins all the way off. It should not damage threads.
Use Teflon tape when installing new one.

I’m not sure I understand your explanation. How can a pressure drop create a backflow unless the valve is actually open. Even then how much “contaminated” water is in the hose? I’ve never seen these backflow preventers anywhere till I got to the villages. Is this a local problem or just a fix for a non existent issue. Interested to hear your thoughts.

The set screw is soft metal designed to break off so backflow preventer can’t be removed easily. when installing yourself don’t tighten so right that it breaks off. Now it can be easily removed when needed.

Incase don’t shut valve off. Kinda like planets aligning all in row for it actually happen.

Set screw softer metal In theory no….:)

Read my original post. I mentioned that the back-flo preventers are Defective.

That is what I think will happen.

DO NOT TURN THE SPIGOT thinking it will unscrew. You will have a nightmare if you break the water line connection. Try the double vice grips approach. The set screw is not hardened steel and it will scrape up the lower bib threads but not that badly. The major concern here is the flat end of the spigot where the hose washer will seat. As long as it is not damaged you shouldn't have any problems with leaks.
I removed both of mine by drilling out the set screws from underneath. I accidentally drilled into the bib threads. But the small area I messed up had no effect whatsoever on the sealing surface. Also, Amazon sells a spigot thread cleaner for $18. These threads can get corroded pretty badly over time.

I have wrestled with this for several year. Search YouTube for "Dremel cutting tool and cut off the vacuum breaker". Do not install the new one with the breakaway set screw, Buy a 5mm stainless set screw and use it instead. It will not rust and can easily be removed when you have to replace the breaker in about 5 years. These fail about every 5 years. There are other YouTubes to drill out the set screw or use a hacksaw but the dremel appears the easiest. I'll try it when I get back to Florida.

Replacing is fine, but people here were talking about eliminating them altogether. That’s why I posted.

I have had these in every home I have owned in Florida. Get sprayed when I turn water off.

Back flow preventer
 

poke a hole in the screen - u never have to replace it
or
remove it til inspector finds out - and chances are nil
or
replace it with the new plastic ones.

BFP are like other things a speciality industry pushes politicians to mandate.
:bigbow:

It is not a local problem. Potable water systems are always designed to prevent backflow and not just from the outside hose bibbs. If you notice, all of your sinks and tubs inside the house are designed so that the faucet discharge level is always higher than the overflow level of the sink or tub and they do not have a threaded hose connection. So, if the sink or tub overflows, the water cannot backflow into the faucet. The outside hose bibb is designed to have a threaded hose connection, and the concern is that the water in the hose can have bacteria in it, or someone could insert the end of the hose into a bucket containing harmful chemicals. Then, if there is a water leak inside the house or in the water main, when the hose bibb valve is open, a negative pressure can suck the contaminated water into the house piping. That is the reasoning for requiring a vacuum breaker on the outside hose bibbs. Basically, it is a universal plumbing code requirement.

When I do get these back-flo preventers off, I am not going to put new ones on unless I put my house up for sale.

I drilled the set screw off with a Greenlee Drill bit. It took 10 seconds. Try not to damage the hose bib threads. Even if you nick the threads-- it's no big deal, as the threads do not create the seal between the Back Flow valve and the hose bib. The threads only hold the Back Flow valve to the Bib. The washer inside the new Back Flow valve creates the seal. When you screw on the new Back Flow Valve, tighten the set screw-- just don't snap off the head of the set screw, like the Builder did. BTW-- it's actually called a "Vacuum Breaker". Here it is at Lowe's for $6.98: AMERICAN VALVE Sillcock Brass Mght 3/4-in Vacuum Breaker
AMERICAN VALVE
Sillcock Brass Mght 3/4-in Vacuum Breaker
Model #MVB 3/4

Good Luck.

The breakaway set screw that comes with the vacuum breaker is designed to automatically break off when you tighten it. So, I wouldn't use it. You can either not use the set screw at all, or buy a set screw that does not break off and can be removed with an allen wrench.

Stop trying to look for trouble
Go the Home Depot and replace the outside faucet with the one you have which has a legal vacuum built into it. Myself being master plumber is what I always do.. Don't buy a cheap one.

Until recently years while using RV parks around the country I had never seen one of these things. I had to ask when I began to find them. Never had such a thing when growing up and don't have them at our current home in New Jersey. If they are there for the sole purpose of preventing back-flo from my garden hose I can, with no reservations, do without. Since I was a kid I have drank water from my garden hoses and will still do it so if codes require them and sale of my Villages home depend on them I can always replace them. Easy-Peasey. So, I for one, plan to remove them on my next trip to the Villages and never look back. :a040:

How can the non potable water/Pond water that goes to the outside water bibbs mix with the potable water??

I have verified that the hose bibbs water supply is pond water.

I have not seen that in The Villages. But, it would probably be a violation of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations. They require that any hose bibb that is connected to a non-potable water source must be locked and clearly labeled as non-potable water.

Also, the International Plumbing Code requires the following:

Nonpotable water outlets such as hose connections, open ended pipes and faucets shall be identified at the point of use for each outlet with signage that reads as follows: "Nonpotable water is utilized for [application name]. CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER — DO NOT DRINK."

Where in The Villages do you live (just the name of the village), and how have you verified this?