Spigot Vacuum Breaker Replacement

Written By: Jovita Gomez
  • Comments: 1
Spigot Vacuum Breaker Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

9

Time Required

25 - 45 minutes

Introduction

This guide demonstrates how to replace a standard spigot's vacuum breaker that's leaking, preventing water waste and/or contaminated water from entering into your home's water system. The adapter used in this guide is a Spigot Master SM1.125 Vacuum Breaker Adapter with a VACBFPZ4B Vacuum Breaker Hose Bib Back-flow Preventer, 3/4 Inch (any brand will also work).

This repair is relatively simple, requiring only a few household tools and less than an hour of your time.

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    • Confirm that the spigot is leaking from the vacuum breaker, and not a different component. Look specifically between the hose and vacuum breaker connection.

    • Disconnect the hose and ensure the spigot is turned off.

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    • Use a pipe wrench to support the spigot and another to unscrew the vacuum breaker. If it unscrews, remove the breaker and skip to Step 7.

    • If the vacuum breaker is rusted on, or otherwise will not budge, use a compact handsaw with a metal-cutting blade to make a relief cut on the breaker.

    • While sawing, periodically stop to check your progress, making sure to not cut through and damage the main spigot threads.

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    • When possible, use a metal prying tool, or a flathead screwdriver you don't mind damaging, to pry the edges of the cut apart. If necessary, use pliers.

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    • If necessary, saw more relief cuts near the first. Continue to pry at the edges in order to expose the washer inside.

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    • Remove the vacuum breaker, and ensure the washer and the cover are removed as well.

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    • Use a ruler or caliper to measure the diameter of the spigot threads as accurate as possible; this measurement is crucial as it will determine the size of the part needed.

    • This specific spigot is 1 1/8 or 1.17 inches in diameter, so a SM01.125 adapter from Spigot Masters was ordered and used.

    • If the hose thread outlet is standard (¾ inch), omit the adapter, as it is already the desired diameter for a common hose in the US. A vacuum breaker can still be used as long as it is the appropriate size.

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    • Wrap plumber's tape around the spigot threads.

    • The application of plumber's tape isn't necessary, but strongly recommended, as it will create a tighter seal between the threads and reduce the risk of leaking.

    • Screw on the adapter or vacuum breaker.

    • The adapter/breaker should screw on with relative ease; if it requires much force, it's probably cross-threaded.

    You are putting the plumbers tape on incorrectly. It should go clockwise so it doesn’t loosen when screwing on the vacuum breaker.

    seanyoung -

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    • Tightly screw the 3/4 inch vacuum breaker onto the adapter or spigot.

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    • Test the connection to make sure it isn’t leaking.

    • If any leakage appears, screw breaker/adapter on tighter, with care not to damage the threads. If there's no improvement, then remove the vacuum breaker and try applying another layer of plumber's tape to the threads.

Conclusion

Enjoy your leak-free spigot!

Author

Jovita Gomez

Member since: 28/02/22

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