Water suppliers survey commercial properties for cross-connections; homeowners rarely think to. Yet a typical house has a handful: outdoor faucets, a sprinkler system, maybe a pool, a softener or a utility sink with a sprayer hose.
Walk the property with this sheet. Mark each item OK, fix it yourself, or ask a professional. Anything you are unsure about goes in the last column.
Outdoors
| Item | What to check | OK / Fix / Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Each hose faucet | Hose bibb vacuum breaker present and not leaking | |
| Garden hoses | Ends not left in buckets, pools or ponds | |
| Hose-end sprayers | Removed after use | |
| Sprinkler system | Backflow device present, upright, undamaged | |
| Pool or spa fill | Air gap or a protected fill line | |
| Fountain or pond | No submerged fill hose |
Indoors and garage
| Item | What to check | OK / Fix / Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Water softener or filter drain | Visible gap between drain hose and standpipe | |
| Laundry and utility sinks | Sprayers and hoses hang above the rim | |
| Boiler or hydronic heating | Fill line protection present | |
| Ice maker or coffee machine lines | Installed with approved fittings | |
| Kitchen sprayer | Does not hang into a full sink |
Easy fixes you can do today
- Screw a hose bibb vacuum breaker onto any bare outdoor faucet.
- Hang hoses on a reel so ends stay out of water.
- Rinse and remove chemical sprayers after use.
- Lift any drain hose that is pushed down into a standpipe.
- Replace a hose bibb vacuum breaker that leaks every time it is used.
When to bring in help
- IfYou are adding a pool auto-fill, boiler, booster pump or fountainThenAsk a licensed plumber what protection is required and check with the city.
- IfYour sprinkler line has no backflow device at allThenAsk the city what is required, then have a licensed contractor install it.
- IfA boiler or softener installation looks improvisedThenHave a licensed plumber review it.
Common questions
How often should I do this survey?
Once a year, and after any remodel, new appliance or landscaping project.
Will the city inspect my home for cross-connections?
Practices vary. Ask the water utility if you want to know what it checks.
Are hose bibb vacuum breakers required?
Many newer faucets have them built in. Check with the city about requirements; adding one is inexpensive protection either way.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.