Shower anti-siphon valve

skigramp · 02-22-2013, 02:10 PM

We have a 2004 Journey ... the anti-siphon valve in the shower has developed a leak ... I tried teflon tape ... it still leaked ... I tried to insert an O ring and that did not work ... sooooo ...

I called Lichtsinn motors for a new one ... HOLY SCHMOLLY ... a new one costs over $100 ...

so I am really going to appreciate my showers from now on ...

cbeierl · 02-22-2013, 02:47 PM

Is that a Moen fixture? If so, is the valve from Moen? I ask because Moen fixtures have a lifetime guarantee.

skigramp · 02-22-2013, 04:03 PM

Chris ...

Our shower head is on flexible brass colored hose. The head itself says Alsons. The mixing (ON / OFF) valve is MOEN.

From the mixiing valve the piping runs upward behind the shower surround and enters the shower within a couple of inches of the top of the surround. This is where the ant-siphon valve is located ... the fixed end of the flexible brass colored hose fastens to it.

When the new one comes I will post the brand and part number ... perhaps that will save the next person some agravation (and expense)

skigramp · 02-23-2013, 03:22 PM

The replacement anti-siphon valve is made by DELTA

The package is labeled "Vacuum Breaker" ... the (part number on the package) is U4900-PB-PK ... there is also a reference number 49002010PK

The Winnebago part number is 129390-02-01A {vacuum breaker 1/2" brass}

The package says "guaranteed for life" ...

The original says "Alsons Vacuum Breaker No 4900"

I will post a couple of pictures of the package tomorrow ... I will call Alsons on Monday

Heating man · 02-23-2013, 06:56 PM

1st the new part is Delta because Delta owns alsons now. I had the same thing with my hand held shower. I could not find the exact same piece but a plumbing supply house had one slightly different it was a Delta I used the new internal parts in my old vacuum breaker and the leak was fixed. I think the one I gat was $40.00. The only thing different was the outlet thread size

skigramp · 02-25-2013, 12:12 PM

I checked with a local DELTA dealer this morning ... they suggested I call DELTA customer service ... I got a knowledgable and polite customer service person ... I explained the problem and they agreed to send me a new vacuum breaker.

I called Lichtsinn afterwards and they agreed to let me return the part for a restocking fee ...

So all of you folks who are original owners that get a defective vacuum breaker on your shower wand, call DELTA (1-800-345-3358) and they will send you a new one.

cbeierl · 02-25-2013, 12:51 PM

And if you do end up having to buy the part, it's available on Amazon for $28.58: Delta Faucet U4900-PB-PK Universal Showering Components Vacuum Breaker, Polished Brass

skigramp · 03-15-2013, 04:01 PM

Here is a picture of the front and back of the package (and the Delta Phone number) in case yours quits working as designed

skigramp · 03-15-2013, 04:06 PM

The vacuum breaker also comes in chrome ... that part number is

U4900-PK

baraff · 03-15-2013, 04:16 PM

Still trying to understand why an anti-siphon valve is needed on a showerhead? Don't have one on the S&B showers and still alive after almost 6 decades.

cgarv · 03-16-2013, 07:01 AM

The anti-siphon is required due to the fact that it is possible to drop the hand held shower in the toilet in some RV applications.
They are afraid that the shower would suck the toilet water back into the fresh water tank somehow.

wagonmaster2 · 04-24-2013, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skigramp

Here is a picture of the front and back of the package (and the Delta Phone number) in case yours quits working as designed

Really appreciate getting all this information. Mine has started spewing a fine mist out the side anytime the shower head is closed off and the water supply is still on. I couldn't tell by looking at the connection next to the wall just what all needed replacing, but with your picture and information that I may be able to get a free one I feel lots better now. Thanks.

wagonmaster2 · 04-29-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skigramp

I checked with a local DELTA dealer this morning ... they suggested I call DELTA customer service ... I got a knowledgable and polite customer service person ... I explained the problem and they agreed to send me a new vacuum breaker.

I called Lichtsinn afterwards and they agreed to let me return the part for a restocking fee ...

So all of you folks who are original owners that get a defective vacuum breaker on your shower wand, call DELTA (1-800-345-3358) and they will send you a new one.

Really appreciate all your information and pictures. Called Delta this afternoon and have a new one coming my way. Never would have thought about that without your information. And having the exact part number really helped because she sounded like she wasn't exactly sure which one I needed. What a great Forum we have here.

cpd520 · 07-19-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skigramp

I checked with a local DELTA dealer this morning ... they suggested I call DELTA customer service ... I got a knowledgable and polite customer service person ... I explained the problem and they agreed to send me a new vacuum breaker.

I called Lichtsinn afterwards and they agreed to let me return the part for a restocking fee ...

So all of you folks who are original owners that get a defective vacuum breaker on your shower wand, call DELTA (1-800-345-3358) and they will send you a new one.

Thanks for the info. Called Delta this morning and have my part on the way. Great customer service. Why I have Delta faucets everywhere.

hdmoxness · 03-16-2014, 01:29 PM

Hoping an expert from this thread will pick this up, I have a couple of more questions. I have the Moen valve and the vacuum breaker (VB) looks identical to the U4900-PB-PK pictured above. Water is squirting from the VB when the shower water is turned on. Applying significant force, I got the shower hose off the VB, but I can't seem to get the VB to unscrew from the brass-covered plastic elbow above. I'm afraid of breaking something if I apply more torque, and besides that, the flats of the VB are in an unusable position.

1. Any hints on getting this thing off?
2. Am I correct in assuming the threads are the same size at both ends of the VB--one male, the other female?
3. My shower head cannot reach the toilet; can I eliminate the VB?

Thanks in advance.

skigramp · 03-16-2014, 10:04 PM

It has been about a year since I went through this ordeal ...

1) On my rig I did not realize that I could unscrew just the vacuum breaker for awhile ... so I removed the whole gold plastic elbow ... it comes off easily since it is plastic ... just make sure you use Teflon tape when you put it back on ... I think you will be able to remove your vacuum breaker easily once you have this out in the open ... a little WD-40 sprayed on threads and let it soak overnight if it still seems stubborn

2) I don't understand why we need a vacuum breaker ... but no dealer (or licensed plumber) can remove it ...

3) I don't know the answer to your threads question.

hdmoxness · 03-17-2014, 08:42 AM

Thank you!

Clay L · 03-17-2014, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baraff

Still trying to understand why an anti-siphon valve is needed on a showerhead? Don't have one on the S&B showers and still alive after almost 6 decades.

Both of the shower heads in our S&B are hand held, have hoses and both have anti siphon valves built into the part that screws onto the nipple on the wall.
I think it is a code requirement.