A: Jim, as I always say: follow your local plumbing codes. It appears that even when you buy an existing home in your area, the inspector is looking for current upgrades and you need to follow his advice.

Vacuum breakers are usually installed as anti-siphon devices to help prevent water or debris from being sucked into a potable water plumbing system. In most areas it is code to have your outdoor faucets (or as we pros call them, "sillcocks") installed with built-in vacuum breakers.

In some areas it is possible to have "screw-on" type vacuum breakers installed on existing sillcock spouts, and that is a very easy job. However, you need to check with the inspector to see if they are allowed in your area. If not, the old sillcocks may have to be removed from the plumbing system and new sillcocks with built-in vacuum breakers installed to take their place.

Not a huge job, but enough work to "water down" your wallet for a bit!