Vacuum Breaker Screw Broken, Stuck on Hose Faucet - Removal Tips

[@jonathanwayne3895]

Saw this but instead I just now carefully dremeled a slot in the set screw stub and unscrewed it with a flathead screwdriver. Great tip with Allen screw.

[@MrSpringfield01]

Just did the same the Dremel tool is something all home owners should have.

[@H0ttabych]

Great tutorial, thank you. I do not like the idea of someone forcing what's on my house and what's not and tutorials like this help to get rid of unnecessary points of failure.

[@chadagoldman]

You just changed my life! I've had one of those things on my back deck for years and it would blast everyone with water every time I turned the hose off. I had handymen, friends, family, EVERYONE, try to figure out removing it without any luck. I followed your instructions to the letter and it came right off. Hallelujah! That sucker is now in the trash where it belongs.

[@MrHardware1]

@@chadagoldman if you ever sell your house and you have city inspections city inspector may require you to put one on all your hose bibs and laundry tub. I keep that in mine whenever I take one off if I can, I save it so I can put it back on whether it works or not to save purchasing one when I sell. The new guy can worry about it.

[@stephaniegregory2329]

Did you drill it out or use the saw? I need to do mine but don’t want to mess up the faucet.

[@MrHardware1]

@@stephaniegregory2329 drilling is usually easier. The plumbers mini hacksaw is for when the set screw is in a position that you can’t get the drill to. In both cases you can garage the threads a little, just not all the way through.

[@bobsaidso123]

This video is just what I was looking for. My house is 25 years old and both the front and back yard vacuum breakers needed to be replaced. The first one went like a charm drilling out the left over pin; of course the second one inside the garage was a little more challenging and I ended up drilling all around the pin and breaking it out that way. Thanks again!

[@xm15e2commando]

Thanks for the video, I found the snapped of lock screw, in a position no drill could get to. Out of town at my daughter's house without tools. Quick trip to Harbor Freight for a cheap cordless rotary tool, and fiberglass cut off wheel 1/8" shaft. First I tried cutting a groove through the screw to make a screwdriver slot, what a waste of time, I then went for a split cut on the upper part of the Vacuum Breaker, quick work, took large flat blade driver into the split gave it a twist the the Vacuum Breaker popped in half. In my case I replaced with a Watts brand breaker from Home Depot. This one had a 1/4"x28 thread but such a set screw was available at Lowes across the street.

[@reyramos66]

This is a great video. I went through this situation twice. The first I called a plumber because I damaged the thread removing the vacuum breaker. Second time I saw your video, in my case the screw was looking backward, so I had to turn the vacuum breaker a little bit towards me. The small drill bit lost its tip. The second was broken. I ended up using a bigger one directly and worked just fine. Thanks!

[@JohnPierce-w7s]

Worked, additionally used a punch to ensure first 3/32" bit was centred, then 11/64" bit to drill out completely.

[@Rhylla1]

Drilling the pilot hole and then using a larger bit worked well and exactly as shown. Finally no more hissing when I turn on the faucet. Took just a couple minutes. Thank you for this.

[@Arrowjungie]

You just saved me hours of frustration. God bless you man.

[@crr2762]

Thank you Sir. I just got mine out following your instruction. I had no clue the broken screw was the one preventing mine to come off.

[@timothyhedrick5295]

There is another older and somewhat less-common type of these VBs that do not use a break-off set screw, but instead use an internal spring to "permanently" lock the VB onto the bibb. In that case, all you can do is cut through the VB on both sides of the faucet and remove it like a clam shell. I found using a dremel tool with a metal cutting disk gave me a lot more control than a hacksaw and made pretty quick work of it without leaving a mark on the faucet or the faucet's threads. Thanks for the tip regarding substituting a 2.5 mm hex head screw for the break-off screw on the replacement VB! I'm headed to Home Depot now.

[@sydneybrink4188]

Now I know why I cannot remove the vacuum breaker on my outdoor spigot. Previous owner or installer must have snapped the set screw and it is so old the screw position is barely visible. Before I saw your excellent and informative video I had thought about using an oscillating tool and screw driver to pry it off. Nice to have more than one option. Thank-you.

[@shaddyhanna8680]

Thank you for sharing this excellent video. And thanks for sharing the specifics on the drill bit sizes and the set screw. I followed your instructions and it worked like a charm. The set screw did not go all the way in because I used a 2mm wrench not the 2.5 mm you recommended.

[@kristafuller6424]

Excellent video thank you so much. Going back to hardware store to get that 5mm set screw for my new vacuum breaker valve. My future self will thank me.

[@danthomson3611]

Thanks for this video it helped me remove a broken vacuum breaker with a rusted screw. I was afraid to attempt drilling it but the process went smoothly. It's important when wrenching it off to brace the spigot so you don't turn the spigot as well when you remove the breaker.

[@greggtheballoonguy]

Wow! One of the clearest instructional videos I have seen. Great job! Thanks so much!

[@dannyepstein]

Thank you for this video. The hardest part was getting the hole started as the bit kept wandering. I used a battery-powered drill at first, but switched to a corded drill which finished the job very quickly. I used a 5/32" drill bit for the second step. It worked fine but I had to ream the hole out a bit with the larger bit. I used a few drops of oil to extend the life of the drill bits. The threads on the hose bib were in good shape except for a dent from the set screw. Since hoses seal with rubber washers, the thread damage isn't a concern.

[@danielhurley2894]

Much thanks. I was able to put some "Blaster" spray on the broken off screw, and enough was sticking out that I could grab it and unscrew it with a good pair of pliers. It turns out the piece was just not screwed on tight enough to the faucet. When I tightened it, it works great now. My "Plan B" was the hack saw since the screw was in a bad place for the drill option. Thanks again.

[@dayBhere]

I know this was an old post but thank you. Switched them out in a min or 2. So easy!!!

[@shirleyjest8838]

Thanks for giving the set screw size👍

[@TheGaetano01]

Mine seems to work best with a #10-32 set screw.

[@UtubeAdviser]

I wish I would of have seen this video yesterday. OMG I was all day trying to spin it with my wrench plier and my freaking hand is still sored and hurting here at work LOL!!.. I can't wait to do this next weekend. I would do it right away but my hand hurts like crazy trying to turn the stupid bib as I was not aware that it is stuck by that stupid 5mm screw. OMG I would of had saved so much time and effort watching this first!.. Thank you so much for this!!

[@TheFlynnTaggart]

Thank you this is exactly what happened due to the previous owner of my house popping that screw off, took me three years to find this video

[@marktwiseman]

Outstanding information. Was struggling with a 14 year old vacuum breaker, set screw wasn't the problem, but the hacksaw idea saved the day. Thanks for taking the time to record this for us.

[@BlahBleeBlahBlah]

Thanks for the excellent how-to. Following your tips I easily drilled out the broken off screw and replaced my leaky vacuum breaker.

[@royceparks1502]

Thanks for the tip! Saved me a second trip to Home Depot

[@vincentc.8069]

You are worth a million dollars!! Wish I saw your video before I ate up my spigot threads...

[@southsidekarl]

Very informative, I will pick up a new vacuum breaker and a few HSS bits and follow your advice

[@VigilanteMian]

Thank you for the video. I have got my front and back bib's vacuum breakers' set screws broken. I plan to drill them off. Hope I do it right.😀

[@dncook1955]

Great job, I am looking at this for a reason, I am tired of my VB leaking, now I know what to do, I'm willing to be t when I find my snapped set screw, it will be at the worse of angles. Thanks for sharing.

[@yoyoma99]

Great job emphasizing the importance of drilling carefully. Other videos gloss over this fine point.

[@lequang2296]

Great clip Crystal clear Thank You for sharing

[@anniemin5431]

Wow!!! The Best Outstanding Tutorial Video! Thank you!

[@1217mrnova]

Thanks you helped me with a big problem on a new house!

[@ecosystems]

Excellent video! In my case the valve was just inside the garage door and only a couple inches from a corner. The broken off set screw was in the back and not accessible to drill. I ended up using a pipe and monkey wrench to muscle the vacuum breaker around just enough to expose the set screw for drilling. Hope there isn't too much thread damage. I wonder how necessary this device really is, especially when the garage is 1 and 2 floors below the living space?

[@MrHardware1]

In my opinion it’s insurance companies on the building code boards trying to make sure none of us can hurt ourselves so they don’t have to pay settlements. In an extremely rare instance poison could be drawn into your house plumbing system from a hose attached to the valve.

[@danya822]

​@@MrHardware1I enjoyed the video, and learned a lot! Perhaps I'm missing something, but as I see it, only if you completely submerged the hose end in poison, had the spigot turned on, lost water pressure, AND somehow the water system pulled a vacuum, all at the same time, could anything ever be pulled back into the house plumbing. That is so incredibly unlikely that the cost cannot outweigh the benefit (for the multitudes of homeowners).

[@MrHardware1]

@@danya822 Yup, a chance in a million, maybe less. I believe insurance companies put moles on the boards that decide and add building and mechanical codes to protect them from paying out claims. They don’t care what it costs Americans, as long as they save money.

[@JDM_MSK]

Fantastic than you so much. I’ve never had to deal with these before . They are a PITA !

[@Travis_7]

omg.. I didn't even notice I had a broken set screw! thanks for the video

[@Hudson4351]

When you say "5 mm metric set screw", is 5 mm the thread diameter, meaning I should buy an "M5 set screw" and the length can be however long I want it to be?

[@MrHardware1]

Exactly, but not too long.

[@luzmarinanewkirk2509]

@@MrHardware1 what length would you recommend?

[@MrHardware1]

@@luzmarinanewkirk2509 1/4” to 3/8” long, 6 to 8mm

[@MrAutodidactic]

Thank you so much. You told the entire problem and solution. I appreciate you.

[@jasweb147]

I'm in this situation right now, trying to remove a fouled vacuum breaker. The house is 4 years old and the hose bib sits slightly inside the vinyl siding housing. Stupid of the builder to do this. The other problem I have is that the set screw is underneath the hose bib and it's hard as heck to see what I'm doing. I'm trying hard to avoid calling the plumber as it will be a $300 job. Going to the store to get a dremel to try to cut down to the threads. I'm also ordering a 5mm set screw slotted for an allen key next time around. I understand the needed function, but contractors make them hard to get off!!!

[@9jmorrison]

Excellent lesson Professor.

[@Achilles1111]

Went one fer two this a.m. First one - no problemo, second one - drilled thru the spigot. Luckily was able to replace the hose bib w/out causing any potential issues.

[@averageguy1261]

Seems like a racket with the set screw that breaks off. Should have been a 5mm allen wrench screw all along.

[@profloorsca]

You can get them in a kit that has both options. 😎👍

[@wannabe_sailor_777smith6]

I’ve read that the set screws are designed to break off to make the valve almost impossible to accidentally remove without some work

[@MrHardware1]

The problem is, it’s a mechanical device that eventually will wear out and fail. If you can’t replace it, then it ruined the whole faucet you just attached it to.

[@ourkid2000]

Would it be a good idea to put a touch of Vaseline or something on that set screw to prevent it from seizing? Great video!

[@MrHardware1]

Yes,

[@kevininnyc1]

Thank you!!! Awesome video!!

[@seangardner2135]

Immensely helpful, thank you Blair!!

[@boatbuilder1954]

tHANK yOU SO MUCH JUST GETTING READY TO INSTALL MINE AND WILL GO WITH THE SS SET SCREW!

[@gregrumble8207]

Thank you worked like a charm

[@johnterry9342]

Great video. When you accidentally drill all the way through the faucet, epoxy putty works to plug the hole. Not that I would know ;-)

[@chadorr795]

Thank you for the tip on the epoxy putty! I totally didn't drill through my faucet while following this tutorial... :..(

[@pjtill1]

Use a Dremel tool and a cutoff disc to create a notch in the set screw, then use a small flathead screwdriver to unscrew it.

[@abbhujia5034]

what am I possibly doing wrong? using a 12v dewalt with titanium drills and the 3/32" isn't even creating a hole in the broken screw; do I need a different drill bit set?

[@MrHardware1]

Sounds like an inferior drill. Could be the set or a random bad drill. Try a smaller drill next, be careful that they are fragile. Also use slower speed, sometimes fast heats up the drill and removes the temper (hardness) and ruins the drill.

[@TheGaetano01]

Does the stainless steel set screw react with the (presumably) brass faucet, being dissimilar metals?

[@MrHardware1]

No

[@alexander_winston]

My home builder, bless his soul, positioned the (snapped off set screw) precisely where it can not be accessed by a drill. Like if someone was doing it on purpose, they couldn’t have done a better job. So now what do I do?

[@MrHardware1]

Take a mini hacksaw and saw on an angle through the vacuum breaker until you can just see the threads below (it takes some patience) then take 2 large slotted screwdrivers pry the slot open. Being soft brass it is doable, but difficult.

[@alexander_winston]

@@MrHardware1 thanks Mr Hardware! 😀

[@stephaniez2]

This was great. Wish me luck

[@glenntate7196]

I purchased a three quarters inch back flow preventer. It was too small for the spigot. Home Depot said it came in seven eights, but I can't find one. Do l have to replace the faucet?

[@MrHardware1]

They are a standard hose thread, only one size/kind. Don’t call by measurement, not required.

[@southcoast6]

What about replacing these with the spigot master?

[@BlairGilbert-x6i]

The Spicket master is an adapter that goes from fine or unusual Woodford or arrowhead brass vacuum breakers that are split in the middle to replace it without a vacuum breaker. Installing these will take a legally vacuum broken faucet, and turn it into a non-vacuum breaker faucet. As far as I can tell totally not national plumbing code approved adapters! Use these at own risk.

[@matthewholzner9526]

Excellent.

[@Mr31formula]

Going through this at our marina right now with my faucet to the boat. It leaks like crazy.

[@morrishere1]

Please What are the metric measurements of the Drill bits? Thanks

[@EcoNeato]

Does national code require a break-off set screw?

[@MrHardware1]

I can only find the words ‘Permanently attached’ in the codes which would make a set screw ‘non-permanent’. I bet most inspectors would allow the set screw because the vacuum breaker is a mechanical device that WILL require replacement at some point in time.

[@EcoNeato]

@@MrHardware1 Also most inspectors won't check all the hose bibs, usually just the first one convenient to their parking spot.

[@LexYeen]

​@@MrHardware1would red loctite on the set screw count as permanent, you think?

[@MrHardware1]

@@LexYeen I don’t believe there’s any reason for any Loctite to be involved in the situation at all

[@deborahdunn2174]

set screw is facing mostly backward and can't get a drill to it. Any suggestions?

[@MrHardware1]

I took a hacksaw and cut 3/4 of the way through the brass vacuum breaker so I just touch the treads on the faucet below and was able to split it with a large screwdriver to get it off. We have a video coming.

[@xrayos12]

what happens when you drill through and through the hose bib? ask me how I know. how do you fix that?

[@MrHardware1]

If you went all the way through the bib you will have to get someone who can fill that hole with solder or you’re going to have to replace the faucet

[@renebaudouin6195]

Do I need to install the set screw or can I just keep it off?

[@MrHardware1]

If you don’t use the set screw someone unscrewing a garden hose will likely remove the vacuum breaker by mistake.

[@jerrygeorgopolis8015]

Excellent ! Thank you

[@MrHardware1]

Glad you liked it!

[@satishdongol3073]

What can I do if the set screw is not accessible for drilling?

[@MrHardware1]

Take a fine hacksaw and split the vacuum breaker off the valve. Search this KZbin, ‘Bad Faucet Vacuum Breaker Removed with Saw’

[@arthendrickson4860]

What’s the symptoms to know the vacuum breaker has failed?

[@sheri023]

excuse the intrusion, but when my vacuum breaker failed, if I turned on the faucet with the garden hose attached, the water sprayed out the sides of the v. breaker onto the cement porch floor and made a mess. We could not get the v. breaker off and ended up taking the faucet off and getting a new faucet.

[@sheri023]

here is his other video talking about the fail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6Qm4SXdqaZbqc

[@arthendrickson4860]

Thanks

[@sheri023]

@@arthendrickson4860 you're welcome.

[@MrHardware1]

Water spraying out the vent holes while you are using the hose. They should only ‘vent’ when the water valve is turned off.

[@guesstgz]

Set screws seem like more trouble than they’re worth. What if the gardener has a 2 1/2 mm Allen wrench? He could steal your backflow preventer valve.

[@MrHardware1]

Your other choice is to use the break off bolt which is why made the video, is that it ruined the whole faucet with the break off bowl once the vacuum breaker fails.

[@bystandersarah]

Ok I found the place where the screw was but it’s on the underside side f the faucet. I can’t fit my drill under there. I’m not sure I’m doing the hacksaw thing properly either. I have another type of backflow bib that’s steel and I don’t see a screw and it has some weird plastic inset ring. What do I do about that one?

[@MrHardware1]

I can’t tell about the steel one that has a plastic insert ring other than it might be a shark bite type fitting made to slide over either half inch or three-quarter inch copper. I thought all the vacuum breakers were all brass and they all had some sort of set screw to keep the vacuum breaker from being removed.

[@bystandersarah]

@@MrHardware1 I got them off!! I hacksawed many grooves vertically and used a hammer and screwdriver to bang the thing off, notch by notch. The screw that may or not not have once been there caused no problems to the thread. I found my own way through it but damn it was hard for my soft little paws!!! 😂my arms are still sore and it took up half my Saturday to remove two! But thanks for the video :)

[@MrHardware1]

@@bystandersarah nice, good to hear

[@Juicememelord]

What's the benefit of a vacuum breaker on a faucet? Are people really worried about backflow from a garden house?

[@MrHardware1]

@@Juicememelord most people aren’t, it’s from insurance people on the ‘boards’ that don’t care what cost it is to consumers so they don’t have to pay a claim. One in several million if that many actually got poisoned. Hot water heaters are now forced to be closed Combustion costing every consumer over $100 each just because some knucklehead in Texas spilled gasoline on the floor of his garage where his heater was and burnt the house down. There are plenty more examples of ‘the man’ being on ‘code boards’ protecting them from claims at all costs, providing countless jobs harassing society enforcing codes.

[@SuperMrbranman]

Thanks for this!

[@rsvihla]

Isn't the faucet normally on the house and frequently the screw is not in an accessible location?

[@MrHardware1]

The screw ends up in a random location, and Murthy’s law, it’ll be on the bottom.

[@rsvihla]

@@MrHardware1 Yeah, that’s my situation exactly.

[@nickdarani]

Great video thank you sir

[@russberry3240]

If you are using a left handed drills, sometimes the broken screw will back out.

[@SK-vi9jb]

Steel contact with Brass! it'll rust slightly, but not enough for the screw to fail.

[@MrHardware1]

Stainless steel set screw

[@carries1659]

Thank you!

[@williammuenster7386]

What if the screw is in the back near the wall....can't get a drill bit or a hack saw in that area???

[@MrHardware1]

Then I try to saw through the vacuum breaker stopping right when you see the faucet’s threads underneath. This is not an easy job, cutting on a slight angle and being able to see the threads and stopping in time isn’t a job many can do. A slight cut into the threads will not cause a hose connection to leak. Then I take a super strong flat blade screwdriver and use it to split the brass vacuum breaker off the threads.

[@dwaynedietrich]

It would be great if you could actually show the removal with the hacksaw and screw driver. I got one that has to use that option unfortunately. Excellent video and thanks!

[@allknightlong84]

You just saved me a $275 visit from a plumber - thank you!!

[@ralph5118]

Waited patiently for nice gentleman till end of video to correct his assumptions that landscapers woo be prevented from stealing or inadvertently walking off with the backflow valve. Guy you never once said that code enforcement to prevent removal is why the break off set screw was put there. I waited….. love you anyway Michigan 🫶🏼 and thumbs up for sizes of hardware used….. good video.

[@kushagrasingh7731]

What are the settings for the drill, I am not able to drill the hole in that screw

[@MrHardware1]

You probably need to go to a hardware store or building supply and buy a high-grade metal drilling drill bit. Possibly two because sometimes the set screws are pretty hard metal.

[@alexw190]

I went to Lowe’s and bought two Dewalt drill bits just by for this job and they worked great.

[@kushagrasingh7731]

@@MrHardware1 none of the drills worked. I ended up getting small hacksaw and creating a space in the screw for screwdriver

[@abbhujia5034]

@@kushagrasingh7731 mind sharing what size hacksaw/blade that worked? running into the same issue where i can't drill

[@kushagrasingh7731]

@@abbhujia5034 i got it from amazon, its 10 inch from a brand called Kata

[@asuchemist3371]

I installed mine with a allen style set screw. forgot using that set screw that the head breaks off!

[@honolulu1476]

Thanks

[@bigiron383]

Couldn't you use an easyout after the first drill ?

[@MrHardware1]

It works about 10% of the time. The screw is so small and usually so seized that easy-out can snap from the force creating a new problem.

[@neismoviesutube]

Thank you very much. I had no idea why that was like that. Thank you to our government for a stupid idea.

[@markwalike5506]

Could you reverse the drill bit with the larger 11/64 bit and counterclockwise the screw out that way so you don't damage the threads?

[@MrHardware1]

Often times use a left-handed drillbit which runs counterclockwise to drill pilot holes in things like this in the hopes little snag and loosen up the setscrew. Sometimes they’re not easy to come by is why I didn’t include it in the video.

[@Ash-om3yg]

Yeah this anti siphon valve I’m trying to get off has become my arch nemesis.

[@tydirten]

Vaccum breakers check valves are the most "spectrum" thing I've ever seen.

[@wtrf22]

Yes but then you can’t sell the homeowner a whole new water-bib.

[@GeneralRock114]

Isn’t 5mm the length? What’s the screw size?

[@MrHardware1]

It is a 5mm screw, 5 to 7mm long

[@GeneralRock114]

@@MrHardware1 Doesn't set screws come in different sizes and length?

[@MrHardware1]

@@GeneralRock114 Of course, do you need a 5 mm bolt (diameter) to go into that hole. The length is simply to keep it from getting in the way if it was too long.

[@Wisepati]

But the plumber broke it off so I can't get a drill at it.

[@laurengluebooksandcrafts3313]

When I connect my hose water sprays everywhere please help

[@MrHardware1]

You may have a defective vacuum breaker. Have it replaced…. or The hose washers could be defective

[@MattFirdous]

i ended up used a big ole drill bit and completely

[@hs4xace]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@LesterMoore]

Wonder who greased the palms the National Plumbing Code staff ti get this worthless piece of crap placed onto outside faucets? Since the time of outside plumbing none of these crumbly things were needed.

[@EvilBillz]

Thank you!