[lorilorilori]

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jempat56

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.

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.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Windguy

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

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.

[mrkorn12@aol.com]

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by mrkorn12@aol.com

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.

[joelfmi]

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.

[Polarlys]

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.

[drducat]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by drducat

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."

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by drducat

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.

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

[drducat]

Originally Posted by photo1902

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

We are in Pine Hills......also the ear of Moyer Loop is Lake County.

Just about everyone in our neighborhood has told us, along with Landscape company.

Going to know soon, I will find out.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by drducat

We are in Pine Hills......also the ear of Moyer Loop is Lake County.

Just about everyone in our neighborhood has told us, along with Landscape company.

Going to know soon, I will find out.

It’d totally surprise me if the rumors you heard are true, but one sure fire way to know: Go to your water meter in your front yard. Turn the valve off. Then turn on one of your hose bibs. Give it 10-15 seconds or so, and see if the water stops flowing. Easy way to check.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by drducat

We are in Pine Hills......also the ear of Moyer Loop is Lake County.

Just about everyone in our neighborhood has told us, along with Landscape company.

Going to know soon, I will find out.

The houses in the Village of Pine Hills definitely do not have pond water or any non-potable water coming out of the hose bibbs attached to the houses. It is potable water from the same piping source as all of the plumbing fixtures inside of your house.

Close the plastic valve in the back wall of your garage, and you will get no water coming out of the exterior hose bibbs.

[drducat]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The houses in the Village of Pine Hills definitely do not have pond water or any non-potable water coming out of the hose bibbs attached to the houses. It is potable water from the same piping source as all of the plumbing fixtures inside of your house.

Close the plastic valve in the back wall of your garage, and you will get no water coming out of the exterior hose bibbs.

Thx to all that replied....will try testing by turning off the valve. It never made sense to me to have irrigation water coming from the hose bibbs.

[New Englander]

Retired guy is correct. Water coming from the hose bibs is potable water.