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MaintenanceVery little maintenance is needed. Your HVBs should be inspected occasionally to be sure they are working and not stuck. To check the operation of an HVB, hook a hose to the HVB and install a valve or nozzle that can be closed on the end of the hose. Close the valve on the end of the hose and open the hose bibb. Then, close the hose bibb while the hose is pressurized. In a few seconds, you should see a small spray of water from the HVB as the hose pressure is released. If the HVB fails this test or if it leaks in normal operation, it may need to be cleaned or replaced. Hard water or contaminants in the water can cause the mechanism to stick or bind. It may be possible to move the components enough manually to free them up; if not, the HVB will have to be replaced. Because they can be difficult to remove, this may entail replacing the hose bibb also.

You probably use a garden hose connected to your home water supply to irrigate your lawn and garden, wash your car, bathe your pet and perhaps apply pesticides. In all of these uses, the potential exists for backflow of contaminated water into your home and, from there, into the municipal water supply or your well. Using a simple, inexpensive vacuum breaker (Figure 1) on your hose bibbs can help prevent this hazard.

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Backflow Prevention with a Vacuum BreakerA hose vacuum breaker (HVB) is a simple device that screws onto the hose threads on your hose bibb. It, in turn, has male hose threads onto which you can attach your garden hose. Use of your garden hose with an HVB is no different than without one. The HVB allows water to flow out normally but opens and vents to the atmosphere if a pressure reversal occurs. The cost is typically only $5-$10. HVBs are required by many plumbing codes.

Water in a garden hose can be drawn back into your water supply in many ways. Hose vacuum breakers are a simple and inexpensive way to reduce the risk of contaminating your home water supply (or the municipal water supply). They are an important step in protecting your family’s water.

What is Backflow?Backflow is backward movement of water from your garden hose into the water supply. Backflow can occur if the pressure in the home (or municipal) water system suddenly drops. This can occur if there is a sudden demand on water in the system because of a leak, fire trucks pumping from hydrants or a system pump failure. Backflow can also occur if you leave a hose connected to a hose bibb and the hose bibb turned on while a valve at the end of the hose is closed. In this case, the hose will be fully pressurized. Even a small drop in system pressure will then cause water to backflow. Even if system pressure does not drop, a hose lying in the sun will heat up and cause the pressure in the hose to increase to a level greater than system pressure and thus cause backflow.

InstallationInstallation consists of simply screwing the HVB onto the hose bibb. The HVB should be at least 6 inches above the ground so there is no risk of it being in a puddle of water. Note that some HVBs are designed to be easy to install but difficult to remove! Others use a simple set screw to prevent loosening and are easily removed.