How Backflow Prevention Works
The supply of clean water is the right of every citizen. Drinking contaminated water can cause fatal illness. Though the country has one of the safest public water systems, there are still millions of acute stomach illnesses every year, and contaminated water due to backflow is one of the reasons behind it.
What is backflow, and why is it essential to prevent it?
Backflow happens when the water that is supposed to exit the property (water flushed down the toilet, or dirty water from the dishwasher or washing machine) instead of going out, flows back into the home's drinking water supply. The water that enters our homes is supposed to flow in a single direction, but back-siphonage (a drop in water pressure), or backpressure (increase in water pressure) in the pipes causes the water to flow in the opposite direction, and enter the mainline. Backflow is unsafe and hazardous as it can contaminate the drinking water with pollutants like human waste, chlorine, and soap, and other harmful substances.
Backflow prevention
The most effective way to prevent backflow is by investing in an efficient backflow prevention system. Hire a professional plumber to install a backflow prevention device onto the home's water pipe to prevent water contamination. These devices allow the water to flow only in one direction. A plumber will perform backflow testing by checking the plumbing system to determine the hazard level and see if the backflow is happening. Based on that, he will suggest the type of device required to prevent harmful impurities from making way into the drinking water supply. If you have fire hydrants, an irrigation system, or an alternate water supply, there are chances that you might already have a backflow prevention device installed. It is usually fitted in cross-connections, as from there, the contaminants can enter the water supply. Regular testing and maintenance of the backflow preventer by a professional plumber is essential to ensure that the device valves are functioning fine. There should be no sign of leakage or malfunctioning. Annual backflow testing protects the water from heavy metals, harmful chemicals for disease protection, and ensures the family's health and safety. During maintenance, the plumber also assesses if the device requires repair or replacement.
Types of backflow preventers
There are different types of backflow prevention devices available, and the type of backflow preventer needed will depend on the degree of hazard or risks that exist to the property.
Air gap- It is a non-mechanical and one of the oldest backflow prevention devices. It helps in preventing both back-siphonage and back pressure effectively through a physical separation between safe and contaminated water.
Atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) is a mechanical, non-testable device offering protection against back siphonage only.
Pressure vacuum breaker (PVB)- It is one of the most cost-effective and commonly used backflow preventers. It is testable and consists of multiple parts.
Double-check valves- Useful for both indoor and outdoor plumbing, it is mechanical and testable. It protects against back siphonage and back pressure and is suitable for low hazard levels.
Reduced pressure principle or zone- It is one of the most expensive, and complex, but safest and dependable backflow preventer. It is a testable mechanical device and excellent for high hazard conditions.
Hire a licensed and experienced plumber for all backflow prevention, repair, testing, and installation needs.
No Worries Rooter of Gilbert offers residential and commercial drain cleaning, leak detection and repair. We recommend Bio-Green drain care for customers who have slow drains caused by buildup in their pipes. Call us at (480) 405-4497.
