Everything Homeowners Need to Know About Backflow and Prevention

As a society, people place a lot of trust in engineering. Even with all the advances in the plumbing infrastructure that have made safe water cheap and accessible, there are still continuing threats to the safety and cleanliness of the water homeowners use daily. 

Backflow is a plumbing problem that can cause water contamination and threaten public health. The good news is backflow prevention devices and practices are in place in every home and business. However, property owners may not understand the massive consequences when they fail and the importance of testing them. This article is a quick guide to inform people about backflow, backflow prevention, and their responsibility to help keep the water grid clean with backflow testing. 

Understanding Backflow 

Backflow occurs any time water flows through a pipe in a direction not originally intended. Most often, it is caused by water line breaks or industrial demand that quickly causes the flow to change direction due to siphoning. When this occurs, a vacuum can form at points of use in the plumbing system, wherein pollutants can be sucked into freshwater piping. 

From the treatment facility to the tap in a home, the water pipes are sealed to protect treated water. Anytime a foreign contaminant is allowed inside, it can contaminate the entire water supply. In order to prevent this, backflow preventers are installed at vulnerable points in the water grid and plumbing system, ensuring regulations and codes are followed. 

Preventing Backflow 

When backflow occurs in piping, it causes people to be exposed to harmful chemicals, contaminated groundwater, and human waste. Preventing backflow is every property owner's responsibility, including installing and maintaining backflow prevention devices and methods. 

Backflow preventers are special devices fitted to pipes and methods like air gaps that act as a check valve, only allowing water to flow in one direction. In homes and businesses, they are usually installed on the service entrance for the water line and on irrigation systems. If homeowners are unaware of backflow preventers on their property, they should call a plumber to locate it and look for problems. 

Testing Backflow Preventers 

Since backflow preventers are essential for keeping the water clean and free from contamination, they must be tested regularly to ensure they are operating correctly. When backflow preventers are present on a property, it is required for them to be tested annually by a licensed plumber. 

A plumber who is a certified backflow tester has special training and experience, allowing them to perform backflow testing and certification services. They will repair or replace any backflow prevention devices they find an issue with to give homeowners peace of mind their drinking water is safe. 

About Falcon Plumbing

Falcon Plumbing has over 30 years of experience serving Miami and the surrounding areas. They offer same-day or next-day service, upfront pricing, and quality workmanship. Call them today for backflow testing and certification in Miami, FL.

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