No problem, just some info

[RVhiker]

I had some serendipity when replacing the shower faucet in our trailer. Our shower surround is in a corner in sort of a triangular shape. The faucet is on a narrow flat panel in the corner. When I removed the faucet, I saw my never before found vacuum breaker which is on the black tank washer. So if your vacuum breaker is ever leaking, and you have a shower in the vicinity check out behind the shower faucet.

By the way, during our PDI I asked the "expert" about the black tank washer as I had never had one before. One of the questions I specifically asked him was whether it had a vacuum breaker. He said, oh no, it's just a straight length of pipe to the washer fitting. Hmmph.

[mcfarmall]

Often times "experts" will always answer your question matter of factly even if they don't know the right answer. They believe that it makes them look smarter than if they simply said "I don't know, but I'll find the answer and get back to you." I have much more respect for the person who says the latter.

[Jagiven]

Very true on your observation. However, when I read your statement, I could take it as you where talking to the “Expert” about a vacuum breaker on the black washer, and not on the black tank vent. If you go and take a close look at your black tank washer, I would guess there is no back flow preventer (vacuum break).

So I think it ultimately relies on the question maker, to be clear, so people (aka experts) have a full and clear understanding of the question(s). So an accurate answer can be given.

[RVhiker]

I definitely agree that asking questions (or giving answers) in a clear and unambiguous manner is sometimes difficult.

To clarify, I was definitely asking the "expert" about the black tank washer. And the vacuum breaker found in the triangular pipe chase behind my shower valve is on the fresh water supply to the black tank washer. The vacuum breaker is at least 3 or 4 feet higher than my black tank, which surprised me ... i don't understand the need for all that height.

[Murphie]

I'm no plumber but I've read multiple posts where it was suggested to run the lines above the tank so that the existing water in the line doesn't flow back and out the hose intake area. Why the vacuum breaker was installed that high I don't know either unless it was just a easy place to put it. I think the instructions on the tornado install kit said to put it on the end of the dedicated hose at the faucet.

[T bone]

The vacuum breaker must be installed above the flood level of the fixture for which it serves. The specific height is determined by state code or per manufacturer.

[RVhiker]

Originally Posted by T bone

The vacuum breaker must be installed above the flood level of the fixture for which it serves. The specific height is determined by state code or per manufacturer.

They installed the vacuum breaker plenty high on my trailer. If the water level ever gets that high, the bed in the upper part of the trailer will be floating and we will be swimming out the emergency exit.

[T bone]

Like I said specific is determined by manufacturer or code in some cases that may be as high as 6'. In any situation other than a manufactured home this situation would be considered as a " high hazard" and would need more restrictive cross connection control. Don't know about you but I don't want to have poo getting into my drinking water.

[ldlogue]

Do they connect the black tank washout line to the camper water sys? My camper has a separate connection for tank wash out with it's own connector not tied to the camper sys and requires a separate water hookup. I hook this up with a diff color hose to distinguish between drinking water and black tank water so they don't get mixed up. .

[RVhiker]

Your setup is just like mine. It's a separate water connection for the black tank washer. I use a black hose, that I only use for this one purpose. With the vacuum breaker, I guess that a separate hose is not really needed (assuming all works as it is supposed to) but for use using a separate hose is esthetically required.

[T bone]

Where does that hose hook to? More than likely the water system that supplies the entire campground or you private well at home or a municipal supply. Now there's a sudden drop in water pressure say a main break that creates a negative pressure that sucks your black water back into the supply unknowingly you just contaminated the entire system your hooked to. That's why the vacuum breaker is there. Now you may say well what are the chances of that happening? I say do you want to be the one in a whatever the number may be. The chief principal in plumbing is protecting the states waters. Goes all the way back to London code and the black plague.

[ldlogue]

The only time I hook up to the wash out connection is when I go to dump at dump station or right before leaving the park with FHU and cleaning out black tank. No reason to hook to it before then IMHO.