How to Remove and Replace a Stuck Vacuum Breaker [Backflow Preventer Fix] / Siphon Spigot leak Lowes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ม.ค. 2013
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Tutorial on how to remove a stuck leaking Vacuum Breaker / Backflow Preventer / Siphon Spigot that has a rusted/broken stuck lock screw without stripping the threads. In this video I use a Dremel cutting tool and a pair of large pliers to remove old part, then install a new vacuum breaker for a full repair, purchased from Lowes.
Drilling the screw out is also another option, but the Dremel is my preferred method for getting these vacuum breakers off without accidentally destroying the spigot. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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All Home inspectors should be required by law to share this video with homeowners. These things are such a pain in the butt. They're defective by design.
Geoff White home inspectors are defective by Design..
I have a cool update for you: Arrowhead makes 2 different sizes of spigots and there are now TWO different sizes of Spigot Master to fit each size: SM01 for the 1" size and the SM01.125 for the slightly larger size Arrowhead Spigot. Interestingly, if you cannot remove that top piece of the vacuum breaker with the set screw, you can remove the larger bottom piece of the vacuum breaker and directly attach the SM01.125 Spigot Master to the remaining piece: it is a perfect fit!
I just replaced 3 of these things and have a slightly easier method. Instead of cutting around the locking screw, simply cut a new slot in the locking screw itself and use a small screwdriver to unscrew it, then remove the broken backflow preventer and replace. Cutting a new screw slot takes a lot less time, and has less of a risk of damaging your spigot than cutting threw the whole device..
Max Buchsbaum Yeah, I went the hacksaw route as well. Went a tiny bit too far and nicked the threads, but not badly enough that the new bibb wouldn’t attach easily. I tried the screwdriver method first but had no luck - the vacuum breaker the home builder used was so cheap that it was like trying to unscrew silly putty.
TOTALLY agree, these things are a ROYAL pain and the definition of cheap! REALLY dislike them. Tried drilling out the screw but no luck. And likely went a bit too far. Sooo am going to drag the back hose to the front before the plants die and eventually do the hacksaw/Dremel option, which will then tell if I drilled so far that I need a new faucet. Of course the builder soldered the existing one on, so I can’t just use two wrenches to unscrew it. All part of home ownership i guess. Thanks for the Vid!!
Perfect. Simple, straight forward. I can’t believe how hard these are to replace with this set screw considering they wear out after a few years.
Thanks for the insight and to those that commented. I drilled the screw out and was able to replace easily. I thought I was going to have to pay someone to come out and remove the broken one.
Just want to say that after months of leak with stuck breaker, it only took me 3 minutes to Dremel and remove old fitting. Great video! Thanks
Great to hear!
When replacing, there's a way to avoid having to repeat this. Get the Everbilt 3/4 in. Hose Bibb Vacuum Breaker (VACBFPZ4EB) and before installing, replace the break-away screw with this: The Hillman Group 4419 M5-0.80 x 5mm Metric Stainless Steel Socket Set Screw. That will allow you to anchor it and unanchor it using an allen wrench.
I did as you recommended. First I wanted to make sure that the hose bib did not have fine-thread outlet. It is Nibc I used my Dremmel to cut around the twist-off screw. First I tried to put a groove into the screw but I must have too wide a cutter. Plan B was to cut around it and pry it away. Worked great. I needed to loosen the old breaker with a wrench, but that went okay. Luckily the hose big has has a 3/4 outlet. I have two exterior faucets, so bought two Everbilt breakers. I had trouble locating the set screws at local hardware stores so bought pan-head screws instead, In the meantime I have ordered the Allen set screws. The second breaker did *not* have a set screw. So, it was a relief that I did not have t cut away the second breaker. I have been living with this nuisance for 20 years! Finally fixed. Thanks!
Great suggestion! I did not have a Dremel tool, but bought the mandrel and cutting disks at Ace Hardware ($12.00) and used them in my electric drill. Worked like a champ. The screws were on the bottom of the valve and not accessible to drill them out. Three malfunctioning backflow valves off in less than 1/2 hour! Pretty easy. Thanks!
Awesome. It took me less than 5 minutes to replace the Vacuum Breaker after watching your video. Many thanks!
Thanks so much for posting this. With my Porter Cable Oscillating tool I did the whole job in 5 minutes.
That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
Great video, I spent one day and could not figure out how to remove stuck one. Thanks a lot! worth to watch this video.
Glad it was helpful. I need to replace another one of these, and will be using the same method!
Worked like a CHAMP. Thanks for posting this video.
This video helped give me the general idea. Rather than use a Dremel, which seemed majorly time-intensive, I went the Tim Taylor route and called on my angle grinder ($15 at Harbor Freight, $9 on sale). I just ripped right through the whole set screw area in about 30 seconds, and the remains just fell out loose.
This is the bey video and the most solid advice I have seen so far! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks I have to replace one of mine tomorrow and I could have been in a world of hurt if I didn't come across your video.
Thanks so much for posting this. Damned thing was driving me crazy leaking. Now it's gone!
Exactly what I needed to see, you're the man James
Great to hear! Thank you!!!
Thanks for the video. I tried drilling but it didn't work and had the dremel and the cutoff blade and it worked well--just like your video showed. Keep in mind that pin, at least on the new one is stainless or just plain steel so when you drill, your trying to drill out a harder material than the surrounding brass so it's hard to keep drill on the pin. Also, the new part I purchased, when I tightened the locking bolt/pin, it broke off pretty easily indicating to me they are meant to break off at the right tension because near the head, the shaft tapered down to almost nothing. Not liking that design much but it will likely last another 20 years or so.
GREAT JOB!
You can also drill it out the set pin with a 3/32 bit. Swapped out in 5 mins. Just be careful and it’ll work well.
Thank you for the recommendation! I must’ve tried a smaller bit (on a different spigot), as after I drilled it out, thing would not budge 😿
Excellent, off to go do this now!
Which cutting wheel (size, model#) did you use? I need to buy one but have no glue. Thank you.
This solution worked perfectly. THANK YOU! Saved me from calling a plumber!
Excellent!
That’s great except when the screw is on the back/underside of the valve and I have almost zero clearance between the brick wall and the screw location
I did not think about that. Would using a smaller cutoff wheel fit in the tight space? If not, it might require a hose Bibb replacement 🙁
Great tip thanks for sharing
Glad it helped!
Great video, I had the same problem with mine, I tried to loosen the screw and it broke, but instead of cutting the screw out, I just used my drill to drill a hole through the broken screw and that worked good as well.
It's also faster, I guess if the person doesn't own a drill/bits But have a dremel cutting tool it would also work
You sir, are a genius. Firstly, can I borrow your dremel? Secondly, what are these accursed things for?
I'm in this situation right now, trying to remove a fouled vacuum breaker. The house is 4 years old and the hose bib sits slightly inside the vinyl siding housing. Stupid of the builder to do this. The other problem I have is that the set screw is underneath the hose bib and it's hard as heck to see what I'm doing. I'm trying hard to avoid calling the plumber as it will be a $300 job. Going to the store to get a dremel to try to cut down to the threads. I'm also ordering a 5mm set screw slotted for an allen key next time around. I understand the needed function, but contractors make them hard to get off!!!
What is the exact Dremel accessory (metal cutting tool) that you used? I will be using my new Dremel for the first time... I don't think I got the tool you used in my box of accessories, so I will need to buy one. Would appreciate the exact name of the attachment you used.
Also, I plan to *remove* the set screws on the two replacement backflow preventers before putting them onto my hose bibbs. That way, when they eventually need to be replaced, I won't have any trouble just simply unscrewing them. Is there any problem with that plan?
Thanks for a great video!
Mangorunner21 thank you!!!
The screws purpose is to prevent the breaker from unscrewing when u remove the hose. If u don't remove the hose u certainly don't need them
Is there a way to remove it without using power tools if the set screw is broken off?
You could try using a hacksaw. The brass is soft enough that it would not take that long.
So glad I searched for “how to remove backflow preventer” ...
I was almost going to get someone out t weld the damn thing off...
What if the locking screw is too far back back to get to?
You're pretty much going to have to cut it out, as shown here. Wish these were designed differently!
Got to have that music on
What is the point of this on an outside spigot? My hose isn't going to be sitting in tainted water that might get sucked back into the clean water.... these seem silly and unnecessary... mostly because they are terrible and leak and now I need to replace/remove one :-)
Yes, most of us take care to not leave a hose in tainted water, but then again, there are a lot of people that don't follow common sense lol. Btw vacuum breaker installed in this video has been great and leak free :)
OK for those that did this with a Drill, what method are you using to accomplish this? I tried removing the screw with a drill and was unsuccessful
+ScaryURL Drill to the top of the threads of the faucet (bib). These back flow preventers fit very snug. Use a pipe wrench. Be careful not to damage supply line.
+Larry Tymorek My preventer had a softer rivet material that could be drilled out. otherwise you would have to do what the Video shows
Which type of wheel did you use?
I use the Dremel Cutoff wheel.
That's actually the method that was suggested to me. I'm about to go out and do it now...
Very surprised you left the set screw in the new one. If that's what causes the issue later when they fail why not remove it from the new one so it can easily be replaced later?
The set screw is set in place so users that are unaware cannot remove it, leaving the home susceptible to backflow.
WD-40 worked perfect for me!
What did you do with the wd-40
@@Cenlalowell I found a little screw for a flat head screwdriver very small it was at the bottom, I sprayed wd-40 on and around it got a flat head and came right off.
I'm doing this same task right now and it's a bitch. Whoever designed these break-off set screws should be fired immediately. The internal rubber gasket WILL fail eventually and then your only options are this video or trying to drill out the set screw. Good luck doing that.
Was that the tension screw being cut out ?
It is the locking screw. It’s designed to break off after tightening, so the homeowner cannot remove it.
@@JamesFixItso I should throw away that stupid screw right?
@@nan5715 Hehe, yah it's only there, so you don't remove it and run your water without the vacuum breaker.
Could you drill out the set screw?
Yes you can. I was able to remove the set screw with a screw extractor on my other one. I should totally make an update with this method. Thanks!
I’m taking the screw off and just put it back on if I sell the house. Cost me money trying to get that dumb screw off
These useless things have been leaking from day one of my newly built house, what a ridiculous piece of junk
Just a thought....why didn't you just replace the whole device since it needs to be replaced anyway and save the hassle in causing unnecessary work?
I have a cool update for you: Arrowhead makes 2 different sizes of spigots and there are now TWO different sizes of Spigot Master to fit each size: SM01 for the 1" size and the SM01.125 for the slightly larger size Arrowhead Spigot. Interestingly, if you cannot remove that top piece of the vacuum breaker with the set screw, you can remove the larger bottom piece of the vacuum breaker and directly attach the SM01.125 Spigot Master to the remaining piece: it is a perfect fit!
Who sell the very best Vacuum breaker? I purchased my replacement from Home depot & It's Crap! I'm still having the same problem!
Marlon Myers I got a Woodford from Amazon, but it’s about same price at HD. Apparently it’s the best on the market. Although now I have to get the set screw from old one out. The Woodford doesn’t come with a set screw.
Dont put a new on. Just screw the hose on to the spigot.
I've not seen a design like this. If you don't see the hidden screw, it breaks your old thread of the faucet when you replace the leaky one. I guess they purposely design this and make the replacement cost higher.
Yes, bad design for the homeowner, but it's designed this way, as it's common for people to remove them completely.
AWESOME 6+ years later and this video is still helping peeps! - See my Vacuum Breaker REMOVED Here www.screencast.com/t/MewKVLguyOc - THANK YOU
why not just notch the screw and turn it?
Definitely easier way. At most, tap a reverse threading screw and turn it out.
It took me less time to do the cutting than it did to watch this video! Thanks for making it, I don't think I would have gone out and bought a Dremel and done it myself if you hadn't.
Also, I found it easier to make a third cut perpendicular to the first two until the screw came out on its own.
Yes, I figured that out eventually, too. Wish I had seen your comment first!
Whoever thought it was a good idea to make it standard to break off that set screw should burn in Hell.
Take that damn set screw out and throw it away. Those threads were definitely damaged
@2:25 - WEAR heavy GLOVES or risk injury!
tripjet999 really? are people that scared if actually working with their hands? I am a millwright, and I only wear latex gloves to keep the oils off.
I used angle grinder and was much quicker.
Great suggestion!
The big mistake in this video was putting on another vacuum breaker. You only need one cut and it will unscrew off.
Eye protection!
There's a lot of misinformation about backflow preventers AKA anti-siphon devices. They're required by code and are not defective by design. the reason they put the set screw in there is so that people don't take them off. When the valve shuts off in the vacuum breaker leaks a little water that's because it's breaking the vacuum totally by design. By the way it's much easier to just cut a slot and unscrew the screw or if that doesn't work just cut a little V around the screw only that way you don't damage any threads.
One more thing, the reason you have a backflow preventer is so that in the event the water main gets shut off dirty hose water that has bugs and feces from rodents and other crap in the hose doesn't get sucked back into your home's water supply. One of the greatest advances in modern civilization is clean drinking water.
so what do you suggest if the screw is not facing front but in the back about 2 inches from a brick wall?
Painful...drilling out the screw might be easier...
Not so much, really. I carefully cut around the set screw and was able to pop out the tab that I created. It took less than five minutes. I needed a wrench to loosen the breaker, but not much effort to loosen it.
Just don't install the set screw next time....makes life easier
hehe good point!
your focus made me blind
Just don't install the set screw next time....makes life easier