Well Water Vacuum Breakers

A vacuum relief valve, or vacuum breaker, has become a growing need for private well owners using water treatment systems. These valves provide protection from an unsuspected occurrence during routine maintenance or unexpected service. Learn more about vacuums and how to protect water softeners, filters, and storage tanks from a vacuum event.

A vacuum is created from negative pressure when a siphon or atmospheric change occurs, resulting in a container such as water softener tanks, filter mineral tanks, and storage tanks collapsing from the inside. To control a vacuum condition, the container must be allowed to breathe by allowing air to enter when pressure falls to negative. Vacuum breakers utilize a simple disk which is held in place by water pressure, and when the pressure falls to negative, the disk is released, allowing air to enter the container and break the vacuum.

In well water applications a vacuum can be experienced in different situations, such as:

• Shutdown - if the well is turned off and a demand for water occurs, water can be drawn out of the plumbing and tank and result in negative pressure. More often this occurs when there is an unexpected shutdown, such as a power outage or component failure.
• Failure - if a component of the well like the check valve fails, water can be drained backwards through the plumbing and create a siphoning effect on the tank. 
  
• Elevation - if the well is at a higher elevation and the plumbing is drained at lower elevation, negative pressure can be created within the tank.
  
• Pumps - if a well booster pump is used after the tank and there is a loss of feed water, the booster pump will siphon water from the tank and create negative pressure.
  

In these circumstances, a vacuum breaker can be installed between the well and the tank to release a vacuum that may occur during any of these events. Vacuum breakers can be used for any type of application including residential whole house and commercial sites using any type of water softener or filter tank. These valves can also be installed on any type of plumbing material including PVC, pex, and copper. 

 If there is a potential for a vacuum to occur on your well, a vacuum breaker is an important optional feature to consider. RainDance Water Systems is now including a FREE vacuum breaker with specified residential and commercial well water filters & softeners.