One of my water hose spigots spews badly when I run water through the hose. I recently replaced the little gasket inside the hose connector and added plumber's tape around the nozzle.

I think the water might be coming from the fitting attached to the nozzle. Is this something that I can fix myself, or will I need to hire a plumber?

Vacuum breaker needs to be replaced

jt2hunt said:

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Vacuum breaker needs to be replaced

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This is exactly the problem. Easy to replace. Buy a new vacuum breaker, unscrew the old one, screw on the new one. Just pay attention to the threaded connections to make sure you buy a replacement with the same threads.

I took a look at it yesterday after seeing these responses and looking up the vacuum breaker to see where the screw would be. It does not face forward, but I did find a nub at the 1 o'clock position if standing right in front of it. I didn't see any slot as if for a screwdriver, nor did it appear that an Allen wrench would be the tool to use to remove the screw. But I'll take a look again now that the sun is up, maybe I missed the actual screw?

In some locations the code requires the lock screw to be tightened until the head breaks off to prevent home owners from removing the vacuum breakers. The also make them pre attached to faucets and label the non removable.
A angle grinder or Dremel will remove non removable ones with a little care. Can also do standard broken screw technique like left hand drill or eazy out.

I hate vacuum breakers, despise them.

They freeze,crack, break, and do not use a standard thread. ****ing scam.

Well I have learned something new. Thanks everyone. I have also learned another reason to despise the local government , Harris County. All three have nubs rather than screws that I can actually get out, as if there is a requirement to do as suggested above.

Bet its one of the vacuum breakers with the intentional break off set screw to prevent removal. Hate them ! Careful dremel tool use can cut it off but go slow or you will cut into threads of the actual faucet as well. Good Luck. Hate them !

I took a drill with a bit about the size of the set screw and drilled them out. Just be careful not to go too deep and get into the faucet threads. It was easy to drill and not that hard of material. Don't put them back on until you sell the house and need to for inspection and your life will be much better off!

Was that just a normal drill bit? Or one intended for metal use?

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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Well I have learned something new. Thanks everyone. I have also learned another reason to despise the local government , Harris County. All three have nubs rather than screws that I can actually get out, as if there is a requirement to do as suggested above.

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Use a dremel with a thin cutting disc to notch the set screw, then just use a flathead to turn it out. Make sure you center the notch as best you can to make it easier to turn.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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Well I have learned something new. Thanks everyone. I have also learned another reason to despise the local government , Harris County. All three have nubs rather than screws that I can actually get out, as if there is a requirement to do as suggested above.

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Use a dremel with a thin cutting disc to notch the set screw, then just use a flathead to turn it out. Make sure you center the notch as best you can to make it easier to turn.

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I tried that. There wasn't much of the set screw jutting out. Didn't make a notch so much as just flattened it out even more. And there's nothing that I can get a screwdriver into just yet. I'm pretty handy with things like this, generally, but the set screw is difficult to get to (at about the 1 o'clock position if the wall is high noon).

You don't need any of the set screw sticking out. Just cut a notch across the screw and t he vacuum breaker. You're throwing this thing away, so no need to be delicate. If you don't have a lot of room for the screwdriver, get a flathead bit and lock it in a pair of vice grips.

They're definitely a pain. I ended up replacing the whole spigot the last one I did. Easier than trying to drill that thing off. I have a decent amount of pipe coming out of the wall to connect to so wasn't any big deal. I did install a vacuum breaker as they do serve a purpose. I just didn't break off the screw. When we go to sell it might list that on the inspection. If so I'll go snap it off and it'll be the next homeowner's problem.

Just a normal Milwaukee drill bit slightly large than the set screw. When I sold the house I just screwed them back on to pass inspection and the new owner could then quickly unscrew. Did this on two homes now….

Well, I tried everything suggested. I was able to cut a slot into this thing with my Dremel, but I was unable to get sufficient leverage in that cramped spot to move the screw. I came at it with a drill but nope, no effect there. I ended putting a pair of vice grips on it and muscling it off. And now I no longer have to take a shower every time I use the hose. Two more to go.

Be careful doing that so you don't twist the pipe off inside the wall. Have a wrench on the spigot itself as a back up with force in the opposite direction.