Backflow testing is a process that is used to test your plumbing system to make sure that drinking water is not being contaminated by dirty water infiltrating the water supply.
The water in your home is usually kept at a standard pressure in order to allow the movement of water through your home from one area to another — for example, from shower, to toilet, to sink. If the pipes are subjected to an unexpected drop in pressure due to freezing, bursting, or an unusually high demand on the water supply, contaminated water from the ground or storage can enter the system.
Here’s an example: let’s say you have a hose with an inflatable pool. If your water pressure suddenly drops, that hose might begin to act as a siphon, sucking the water from your pool into your home’s water supply.
In worst case scenarios, backflow can contaminate a city’s entire water supply. That’s why most water providers have strict rules about cross-connections (the connections that could allow backflow into the city’s water lines). There are backflow prevention devices that make backflow impossible – if they’re working.
That brings us to backflow testing – these tests simply measure if backflow into the water supply is possible, and if so, if there are working backflow prevention devices to halt backflow. Backflow prevention devices don’t work forever; having yours tested at least once a year will help keep you and the city’s water supply safe.
Backflow Prevention is important if you want clean water for yourself and your family. Backflow can be prevented through the use of an air gap or by using a backflow prevention device, such as a backflow valve.
Using an air gap means leaving an empty space between any place where water might collect and the implements that connect to your plumbing system, like valves and faucets.
Another way to prevent backflow is to use a backflow prevention device, such as a backflow preventer valve. A backflow preventer valve is installed at specific locations in your plumbing system where there is a risk of contaminated water entering your system.
In homes, the most common places for a backflow valve would be:
Backflow prevention devices are a big help, but they can fail. This is why it is important to have your backflow tested yearly. Backflow testing is an important part of your home’s maintenance routine, because it makes sure that the water that you and your family are drinking is safe and clean.
That brings us to backflow testing – these tests simply measure if backflow into the water supply is possible, and if so, if there are working backflow prevention devices to halt backflow. Backflow prevention devices don’t work forever; having yours tested at least once a year will help keep you and the city’s water supply safe.
Backwater valves are devices that are closely related to backflow prevention devices – they’re used to prevent sewage from backing up into your home. When heavy rainfall or flooding overwhelms a city’s sewer, the pressure can force sewage into your home’s water supply. Backwater valves prevent this. For obvious reasons, you’ll want to get those tested regularly too. Trust us – you don’t want sewage backing up into your home.
Most homes already have backwater valves installed; if you don’t, please call a plumber right away. You can get one installed in a jiffy, and it’s well worth the protection – these valves can even lower your insurance rates in some circumstances.
