LitOrange 2 Pack Brass 3/4" Inch GHT Hose Bibb Connector Backflow Preventer Vacuum Breaker

Why I added a vacuum breaker to every outdoor tap

I do a lot of hose-end work—irrigation tweaks, pressure-washing, fertilizer sprayers—and I want zero chance of hose water siphoning back into the house lines. The LitOrange vacuum breaker (the 2-pack) is a straightforward way to make hose bibbs code-compliant and safer, without swapping faucets. After several weeks across two outdoor spigots and a quick trial on a utility sink, here’s how it performed and what to know before you install it.

What it is and who it’s for

This is a brass, hose-connection vacuum breaker: 3/4-inch GHT female inlet on the faucet side, 3/4-inch GHT male outlet on the hose side. Its job is to prevent back-siphonage by venting to atmosphere when line pressure drops. It’s rated to 125 psi and 180°F, and it’s certified to ASSE 1011/CSA B64.2 and ANSI/NSF 61-9—exactly the spec many jurisdictions call for on hose connections.

If you mix chemicals at the hose, run sprinklers, or connect to an RV, you should be using one of these. If your outdoor taps aren’t already anti-siphon hose bibbs, this is the bolt-on fix that usually satisfies inspectors.

Installation and setup

Out of the box you get two breakers, two washers, and a generous roll of PTFE tape. Installation is a five-minute job:

• Wrap the hose bibb threads with one or two turns of tape (optional on GHT, but it helps).
• Insert the included washer into the breaker’s inlet if it’s not already seated.
• Hand-tighten the breaker onto the faucet, then snug it with a wrench about a quarter-turn. Don’t muscle it; brass-on-brass can gall.
• Attach your hose to the outlet side as usual.

There’s a small set screw on the collar. Tightening it secures the device; tightening until the head snaps off makes it “permanent” (tamper-resistant), which some codes require. I recommend confirming leak-free operation for a week before you commit to snapping the head. If you winterize by removing devices, don’t break the head off—leave it removable and discuss with your local inspector if needed.

Orientation matters. The atmospheric port (the small drain hole) should face downward, and the unit behaves best oriented vertically. On one faucet mounted horizontally, I initially had a bit of chatter and weeping until I rotated the breaker so the drain port pointed straight down; that solved it.

Performance outdoors

On two outdoor spigots feeding a soaker circuit and a hose-end sprayer, the LitOrange unit behaved exactly as a hose-connection vacuum breaker should:

• No leaks at the connections with the included washer.
• No noticeable reduction in flow for typical outdoor tasks.
• It vents briefly out of the drain hole when upstream pressure is shut off or when there’s a quick pressure fluctuation elsewhere in the house. That’s normal—and it’s the safety feature at work.

Expect a quick spit of water after you close the faucet, or when a nearby appliance kicks on. If you’re standing in front of the bibb, you may catch a splash. I learned to close the faucet and step aside. If the quick spray is a nuisance (e.g., near a walkway), a short leader hose pointed down is a tidy solution.

One critical point: this device is for intermittent pressure. ASSE 1011 breakers aren’t meant to sit under continuous downstream pressure (e.g., faucet open, shutoff at the nozzle) for extended periods. Close the faucet when you’re done. If you need a constantly pressurized line feeding, say, an irrigation timer, consider a vacuum breaker specifically rated for continuous pressure or a dedicated anti-siphon sillcock.

Indoors, it’s less happy

I tried one briefly on a utility sink that sees low-flow hand washing. At low flow with a faucet aerator, the breaker could produce a high-pitched squeal and an odd, aerated stream pattern. That’s a known behavior of atmospheric breakers at certain flow regimes—they can “flutter.” It isn’t harmful, but it’s annoying indoors. For utility sinks, I’d opt for a faucet with an integrated anti-siphon vacuum breaker or a different backflow solution intended for indoor aerator flows.

Build quality and durability

The machining on the threads is clean, the brass feels stout, and the finish is consistent. The internal poppet and spring action were smooth on both units. At 125 psi and 180°F ratings, it easily covers typical residential municipal pressure and temperature ranges.

As with any brass fitting outdoors, protect it from freezing. Because this breaker intentionally holds and then releases a small amount of water, you want to drain the hose and breaker before a hard freeze. In freezing climates, I remove hoses, open the breaker’s faucet briefly to drain, and leave the faucet closed afterward. If you have a winter blowout service for sprinklers, let them know you have these installed—or remove them temporarily—so they don’t get “misplaced.”

Code and safety confidence

The ASSE 1011/CSA B64.2 marking is what I look for on hose connection vacuum breakers. Add the NSF 61-9 compliance for potable water contact and there’s no ambiguity. I had no issues passing a hose-bibb backflow requirement during an exterior inspection; the stamped markings are clear.

A quick reminder: a simple check valve is not a substitute for a hose-connection vacuum breaker in most codes. This unit provides the necessary atmospheric venting that a check valve alone does not.

Everyday usability

• Flow and pressure: For typical garden use—sprayers, sprinklers, filling buckets—I couldn’t detect a meaningful drop. On a pressure washer, it didn’t choke inlet flow.
• Noise: Outdoors at normal flow, it’s quiet. At very low trickle, it can “sing.” Open the faucet fully and regulate flow at the hose-end device to reduce that.
• Splash: The drain port will spit when pressure drops. Consider location and angle to avoid soaking yourself.

Value

As a two-pack, it’s cost-effective if you have multiple spigots or an RV plus a home tap. If you only need one, you’ll have a spare—but I don’t mind that, since these are easy to misplace during seasonal swaps. Between the brass build, the included tape and washers, and the certifications, it’s a good value compared with buying a single certified breaker at a big-box store.

Alternatives to consider

• Replace the faucet with an anti-siphon (vacuum breaker) sillcock: clean integration, less chance of splash, typically quieter, and often frost-free options exist. More expensive and requires plumbing.
• Continuous-pressure vacuum breaker/pressure vacuum breaker for irrigation manifolds: better for always-on lines feeding timers, but larger and pricier.
• Indoor-specific solutions for sinks: a faucet with built-in backflow protection or a device designed for aerator-thread connections.

Pros

• Solid brass, clean threads, and dependable sealing with included washer
• Certified to ASSE 1011/CSA B64.2 and NSF 61-9 for potable water
• Easy install; includes PTFE tape and washers
• Break-off set screw for tamper resistance where required
• Minimal flow impact for typical outdoor use

Cons

• Atmospheric vent will spray briefly on shutoff or pressure swings—plan for splash
• Can squeal at very low flow, especially on indoor faucets with aerators
• Not intended for continuous downstream pressure; close the faucet after use
• Two-pack only; overkill if you truly need just one

Recommendation

I recommend the LitOrange vacuum breaker for outdoor hose bibbs, RV connections, and hydrants where you need a simple, code-compliant safeguard against back-siphonage. It’s easy to install, built from durable brass, carries the right certifications, and performed reliably in my testing with negligible impact on flow. Just be mindful of its normal venting behavior: expect a brief spit at shutoff and avoid using it indoors where low-flow noise can be irritating. If you need a continuously pressurized solution or a tidier indoor install, look at alternatives; otherwise, this two-pack is an affordable, dependable way to protect your potable water.