Removing a hose bibb vacuum breaker sounds like a complex plumbing process, but in fact it is as simple as removing a garden hose in the outdoor faucet. The vacuum breaker, which is needed in certain municipalities, screws onto to your tap and prevents water from flowing backward in the hose to the water supply. It protects drinking water from contamination caused by dirt, chemicals or bacteria that may be sucked through the hose in the event the water pressure were to drop. If it wears out and starts to leak, you just remove it and screw to a brand new one.
Switch off the exterior faucet, or hose bibb, that has the vacuum breaker that you want to replace. The breaker is a brass attachment screwed onto the tap spout.
Unscrew the hose and remove it. If you can’t flip the hose connector by hand, then use adjustable pliers to loosen it.
Turn the vacuum breaker counterclockwise to unscrew it from the tap spout. Use flexible pliers to loosen it, if needed. If it’s too tight for the pliers, then spray a generous quantity of thread lubricant to the threads. Allow the lubricant to penetrate for approximately 5 minutes, then try again.
Screw on a new vacuum breaker and tighten it by hand. Ensure that the drier seats against the tap spout and makes a seal with no need for pliers. Reattach the hose and turn on the water.