Vacuum breakers are backflow prevention devices that stop wastewater from going in the opposite direction in plumbing systems and are an important plumbing code requirement. This article will discuss Sloan vacuum breaker repair kits for flushometer applications. It will explain the difference between old and new vacuum breaker repair kits and will help facility managers choose the right kit for their flushometers.

Vacuum Breaker Terminology

A vacuum breaker repair kit contains the parts located inside the chrome plated vacuum breaker tube of a flushometer. It includes the following three components: a rubber vacuum breaker, a plastic cone, and a fiber washer. A complete vacuum breaker includes the vacuum breaker repair kit, the chrome plated vacuum breaker outlet tube, and the chrome-plated vacuum breaker coupling and coupling assembly. In this article, we are focusing on vacuum breaker repair kits.

Use the chart below as a quick-reference guide to easily find the right vacuum breaker repair kits for your flushometers. Click on the links underneath the charts to find and order the vacuum breaker repair kits you need.

Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit Links

Click on a link below to view it on our website. Add to cart to purchase.

New Style Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit V-651-A - Equiparts Part #08438

Old Style Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit V-551-A - Equiparts Part #08012

Old Style Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit V-101-A - Obsolete. Very rarely needed. Call for assistance

More Vacuum Breaker Information

The Difference between Old and New Sloan Vacuum Breaker Repair Kits

There are two different styles of vacuum breakers: old and new. The model numbers for old style Sloan vacuum breakers begin with ‘V-500’. New style Sloan vacuum breaker model numbers start with ‘V-600’. Although 500 (old style) and 600 (new style) models are in fact interchangeable, there are subtle, yet very important difference between these models.

New style 600 version vacuum breaker repair kits contain vacuum breakers constructed of Permex – a durable synthetic rubber that can last up to four times longer than regular rubber. The specially designed tri-wing shape is now recessed up into the rubber sleeve. They have a straight sleeve shape, whereas the old-style rubber inserts had a duck-bill shape. Modern low-flow toilets and urinals create more back-pressure than older fixtures. This pressure is what causes most vacuum breaker leaks. Old style vacuum breakers are not designed to handle the back-pressure of newer low-flow fixtures. The careful design of the shape of the new-style vacuum breakers is what helps stop increased back pressure from causing leaks in low-flow units.

How Often Do Vacuum Breaker Repair Kits Need to Be Replaced?

Sloan vacuum breaker repair kits are common replacement parts in flushometers. In fact, on average, old style vacuum breaker repair kits will last about 2-3+ years. (like this Standard Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit - Equiparts Part #08012), while new style vacuum breaker repair kits will last 3-4+ years (like this Hi-Performance Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit - Equiparts Part #08438.)

Most of the time, replacing the vacuum breaker repair kit is all that needs to be done to get a vacuum breaker back in proper working order. Complete vacuum breakers only need to be replaced in situations where the vacuum breaker is very old, dingy looking and worn from many years of service. However, this does occur over time. 

View all of our complete vacuum breakers on our Vacuum Breaker category page. 

Vacuum Breaker Repair Kit FAQs

Q: What are signs that you need to replace your vacuum breaker repair kits?
A: When your flushometer is leaking around the vents, which are located underneath the vacuum breaker nut. (Note that these vents will not be visible until the vacuum breaker nut is removed.) Another sign that your vacuum breaker kit needs to be replaced is if a black soot-like substance comes off on your hand or glove when you touch the vacuum breaker during maintenance or repair. This is a sign that the vacuum breaker is disintegrating.

Q: Do Sloan vacuum breaker repair kits work on other flushometers besides Sloan?
A: Yes, Sloan vacuum breakers and vacuum breaker repair kits are interchangeable with Zurn.

Q: Are old and new vacuum breaker repair kits interchangeable?
A: Yes, Equiparts Part #08012 and Equiparts Part #08438 are interchangeable. Read the section above called “The Difference between Old and New Sloan Vacuum Breaker Repair Kits” to find out why new style vacuum breaker repair kits (08438) are a better choice in most situations.

Q: What needs to be replaced if there is leaking at the bottom of the vacuum breaker tube?
A: Most likely, leaking at the bottom of the vacuum breaker tube means that the gaskets in the coupling assembly need to be replaced. But it could also mean that the spud washer needs replaced.

Q: What are other items frequently bought with the vacuum breaker repair kit?
A: It is common practice to replace the spud coupling gasket kit at the same time a vacuum breaker is replaced.

View spud coupling gasket kits here:

• Spud Coupling Gasket Kit - 1-1/4" for Urinal
  Equiparts Part #08021
• Spud Coupling Gasket Kit - 1-1/2" for Closet 
  Equiparts Part #08020
• Spud Coupling Gasket Kit - 3/4" for Urinal
  Equiparts Part #08022

Related Posts:
• Sloan Complete Vacuum Breaker Replacement Guide
• Sloan Diaphragm Kit Guide
• Sloan Optima Solenoid Replacement Guide
•  Sloan Preventative Maintenance Guide Article (short version)
•  Sloan Preventative Maintenance Guide PDF (full version)