The vacuum breakers on all of my outdoor hose bibbs are leaking. The house is about 19 years old and the manufacturer of the hose bibbs is NIBCO. The water is leaking out at the vacuum breaker (VB), above where the garden hose screws on. So no matter how tightly I screw on the hose or if I put in new washers, it still leaks because the leak is above the hose connection. Please see photos below.

As designed, the set screw was broken off when the vacuum breaker was installed. So the repair is not as easy as simply unscrewing the vacuum breaker and installing a new one. In order to remove the old, leaking VB, you have to remove the set screw. I have researched and read numerous forums and watched a few videos, too. It looks like there are two ways to repair: carefully cut out the set screw and remove the vacuum breaker or replace the whole hose bibb.

My question is whether it will be easier to buy a dremel and use a cutting wheel to cut out the set screw or replace the whole hose bibb. If I were to replace the whole hose bibb, I have no idea what hides behind the two screws holding on that hose bibb flange/collar. What would be in store for me there? Could the bibb replacement be as simple as turning the water off to the house, unscrewing the old one and screwing on a new one? Could I get that lucky?! I am pretty handy and do lots of DIY projects, but I do not (yet) own a dremel nor to I know how to weld.

As additional information, I live in Jacksonville, Florida where freezing is rarely an issue. Also, either way, I will definitely install a new VB as a safety measure.

Below are the photos. Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Carol

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This post was edited by love_the_yard on Tue, Feb 18, 14 at 11:43