How To Look At A House
McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of
site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes
Do I need a vacuum breaker valve for washing machine hose faucets?
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
No, washing machine hose faucets are specifically exempted by code from the requirement for a vacuum breaker attachment. Here’s the excerpt from the International Residential Code.
Another reason not to install a vacuum breaker at a washing machine hose faucet is that the spring mechanism in the vacuum breaker fails over time, especially if the faucet is open continuously, which is typical at a washing machine. It will gush water all around when the faucet is turned off, and can be a problem in a laundry room. See our article Why is the vacuum breaker at my hose faucet leaking, gushing water, or making funny sounds? for more on this.
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Field Guide for Home Inspectors, a quick reference for finding the age of 154 brands of HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels, plus 210 code standards for site-built and manufactured homes, and the life expectancy rating of 195 home components. Available at amazon.com for $19.95.
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Here’s links to some of our other articles about HOSE FAUCETS and WASHING MACHINES:
• Is a hot water faucet required at a washing machine?
• What is the difference between a sill cock, hose bibb, hose faucet, outdoor faucet, and hose spigot?
• How many hose bibbs (outdoor faucets) are required by code for a house?
• What is the average life expectancy of a hose bibb?
• What is the average life expectancy of a hose bibb vacuum breaker (backflow preventer)?
• Why is a damaged hose faucet handle a safety defect?
• Why are rubber washing machine hoses a safety risk?
• What is the maximum length for a washing machine drain hose?
• What are the most common problems with washing machine installation and maintenance?
• What is the correct height for the washing machine drain standpipe or outlet box?
• Is a laundry area for a washing machine required by code for a single family residence?
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