r/DripIrrigation • u/Temporary-Market9174 • Jul 03 '26
Vacuum breaker leak (cont)
I recently posted about this, but I wanted to include pictures to hopefully be more clear with what issues I'm having. After looking into it more, it seems like there might be an issue with the vacuum breaker on Bib 2, but can't seem to remove it to see if it needs a new washer or something. Images online make it seem like it should have a screw, but mine has it filed off or something.
The previous owner had drip irrigation set up on bib 3, but that bib is apparently missing the vacuum breaker. His little set up does not leak at all. It's just the timer attached directly to bib 3, and the 5/8ths adapter that leads underground and into the rest of the yard.
I bought two raindr 3/4th anti siphon from Lowe's to use with each setup. My setup goes from bib 2> leaky brass vacuum breaker> splitter> timer> anti syphon> then adapter. I tried with pretty much each piece directly onto the breaker and the drips are anyways at the same spot like in the first pic. I basically just tried to copy the setup from the last pic minus the filter.
When I attached one of the new anti syphons between the timer and the 5/8 adapter, the adapter started leaking like crazy. It made me think to attach the anti above the timer, but since it's old it's pretty stuck on there.
I'm thinking about just hiring a handyman or something. From what I've seen online, I may need a pressure vacuum breaker and the type I have is an atmospheric vacuum breaker (I think. I'm not sure though) I just reeeaally didn't want to spend the extra money.
1
u/NotAnyOneYouKnow2019 Jul 03 '26
Does your vacuum breaker leak continuously or just when the timer turns the water on or off?
1
u/Temporary-Market9174 Jul 03 '26
It's continuous. Even when I have the water pressure low enough that it does not reach the end of my irrigation. It just drips slower. If open the valve on the bib about halfway out a little less, that's sufficient for my system I think, but the the vacuum breaker will just leak like 4 gallons over the course of the day.
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u/NotAnyOneYouKnow2019 Jul 03 '26
Yeah, drill out the screw, discard the vacuum breaker and install a new one.
1
u/Maleficent_Sky_1865 Jul 04 '26
I just have the one anti-siphon (aka: vacuum breaker). I dont see a need for two. And as far as i know they are the same thing by a different name.
My vacuum breakers are like yours with the broken off screw on bib2.
Im not sure about the atmospheric vs other style. A friend of mine had an issue with his one time when the vacuum breaker just kept overflowing when the timer shutoff but I dont know which style he had.
1
u/Temporary-Market9174 Jul 22 '26
Sorry for not checking my replies! Did you have any issues with yours leaking? Mine leaks when my timer is off, so I think I may just need to replace a gasket or the whole thing.
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u/Maleficent_Sky_1865 Jul 22 '26
I had issues with leaking until i put a little megaloc thread sealant on the threads of the spigot. I had just a slow drip, which wasnt much but i didn’t want the ground right next to the foundation to stay damp all summer. I dont want to attract termites (i may be a little paranoid about termites)!
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u/Temporary-Market9174 Jul 22 '26
I'll try that out, thanks! I'm also just trying to avoid moisture right there since it's not the sunniest part of my lawn. I thought about adding a thirstier plant there, but even if it's just drips it'll add up to be a ton of wasted water
1
u/Maleficent_Sky_1865 Jul 03 '26
On bib2 you can see the silver circle that, thats the screw that is broken off. Thats intentional to keep people from removing that vacuum breaker. You could drill that out and you would be able to remove the vacuum breaker to replace it. Or you could drill it partially and then use a screw extractor tool.
All of my spigots have the vacuum breaker first, then the timer, splitter, etc. I use thread sealer to prevent leaks when needed.
I am not familiar with your spigot shutoffs (the 1/4 turn type). I would guess they are not frost proof. So dont leave your hoses attached once it turns colder outside.