What are these on my outdoor faucets?

[Leros]

All the faucets on my house have some sort of adapter screwed on. When the pressure in the hose gets low (i.e. when you turn the faucet off), it squirts water out of it. I guess the idea is to help empty the hose when you're done.

I've never seen these before. Anybody know what they're called?

I just removed them all because they don't make a good seal with any of my hoses. You can see where I even tried to use plumbers tape.

 

[IronWing]

Backflow preventers

They keep nasty hose water from backing up into your potable water supply.

 

[Vic Vega]

Yup...

 

[Nintendesert]

You don't need those, hose water tastes great!

 

[IronWing]

Depends where you put your hose.

 

[Leros]

You don't need those, hose water tastes great!

When I open the faucet, pressure is going to force water out of the faucet, preventing hose water from flowing back in, yes?

 

[eldorado99]

When I open the faucet, pressure is going to force water out of the faucet, preventing hose water from flowing back in, yes?

I think it is more like if you leave the end of your hose in something liquid you wouldn't want in your drinking water.

 

[Leros]

Ah, shouldn't matter then. I just use these hoses for watering around the yard.

 

[Nintendesert]

When I open the faucet, pressure is going to force water out of the faucet, preventing hose water from flowing back in, yes?

I like them because when I have a nozzle on the hose and turn off the water it sprays me. :thumbsup:

 

[theknight571]

I had them on my last house. They were required by the city code.

 

[BoomerD]

I had them on my last house. They were required by the city code.

Yep, where we lived as well.

 

[iGas]

That is a hose bibb vacuum breaker, which is a requirement for hose connection to prevent backflow/contaminant from entering the potable water system.

 

[Stifko]

Doesn't it make more sense to have a backflow preventer at the water main?

 

[BoomerD]

Doesn't it make more sense to have a backflow preventer at the water main?

These are easier to replace in case of failure...you don't have to dig up the street to replace...

 

[Leros]

Seems useful. Although none of my neighbors have them, so they must not be required by any code.

Anybody else had trouble getting a hose to connect to these without them leaking? All 3 of mine were impossible to get a good seal against.

 

[iGas]

Doesn't it make more sense to have a backflow preventer at the water main?

Correct, however many existing structural do not have backflow perventer hence the quick cheap fix with vacuum breakers. And, backflow preventer cost at least 10~20X or more to buy than a vacuum breaker that require expensive licensed professional installation and yearly test/maintenance.

 

[iGas]

Seems useful. Although none of my neighbors have them, so they must not be required by any code.

Anybody else had trouble getting a hose to connect to these without them leaking? All 3 of mine were impossible to get a good seal against.

Local Code override National Plumbing Code, and many local jurisdictions haven't got on board with the American Water Work Association (AWWA or specifically a system that is design to milk money from the public).

In order to install/test backflow preventer one must hold an AWWA license that require tests and renew every 3 years (I also hold AWWA backflow tech license).

Home owner/plumber/gas fitter/pipe fitter/steam fitter can install pumbing and gas lines as well as water lines, as long as it up to code and pass inspection. However, no one can install or test backflow preventer unless they hold a backflow tech license from AWWA. Hence the AWWA can charge whatever price they want, and do not care if AWWA backflow techs ripoff/pass the cost on to the public.

American Water Work Association is known as Scammer Association in the construction industry.

 

[Leros]

I looked up the local code and these are only required if you're putting the hose into some sort of toxic material, so I don't need them. Interestingly enough, I also stumbled across a bunch of websites for plumbing companies who talk about installing these. That's crazy.