What Is Backflow?
Water has to take a long journey before it ends up in a drinking glass at home. First, it must be pulled from a reservoir and treated. After being stored in a tank, the water goes through miles of piping before entering the home. Once inside the home’s plumbing system, it may still wait for days before it ends up at the tap. At every point along the journey, there is a chance that something will go wrong that could compromise the safety of the water. Without an extensively engineered and maintained municipal water system, treated water could succumb to contamination that could threaten the health of local citizens.
A backflow preventer is one of the most important devices on the grid and in many homes that prevent the contamination of drinking water supplies. Backflow preventers stop instances of backflow that can be common at any point in the water grid. Backflow occurs when water flows in the wrong direction through piping. When water flows in the opposite direction to what was intended, it creates a powerful siphon that can pull contaminants into the freshwater piping.
Hazards of Backflow
It's easy for modern people to forget that the single source of the most human misery throughout history has been contaminated water. Water hosts various serious pathogens and dangerous chemical contaminants in the modern world. The contaminants have serious health consequences for people, but with reliable water treatment and distribution systems, the threats can be minimized. However, some of the contaminants that have been introduced to water grids during backflow events are:
- Human waste
- Human remains
- Fertilizers
- Chemicals
- Tainted groundwater
Most of these incidents can be attributed to failure to verify the effectiveness of backflow prevention devices or failures to observe codes and install appropriate devices.
How to Prevent Backflow
There are two main ways that plumbers prevent backflow occurrences from happening. The first is a plumbing code measure called an “air gap.” This is the most common backflow prevention method used in homes. The second type of backflow prevention method is devices that prevent siphoning during backflow events. Some homes will have these integrated into irrigation systems, but they are more common as part of the grid and are required by commercial water customers who use high volumes and flow rates.
Backflow prevention devices are mechanical devices that work on pressure differentials. When pressure drops on the incoming water, a valve closes to prevent water from being pulled backward. Once pressure is restored, the valve will automatically reopen to restore the water flow.
Why Test Backflow Devices?
Backflow preventers are mechanical devices and, as such, are subject to failure over time. With all that water flowing through them constantly, they can eventually succumb to scale buildup or corrosion, preventing them from stopping backflow when needed. Plumbers must be certified to perform backflow testing, and backflow devices must be tested annually or according to local regulations.
For homeowners, the best thing to do is to call a plumber and inquire about backflow devices around the home. After an inspection, plumbers can recommend backflow testing or verify the absence of a backflow preventer in the home.
About Postma Heating & Cooling
Locals rely on Postma Heating & Cooling for residential and commercial plumbing needs. Their teams offer same-day service and flat-rate pricing with 100% guaranteed satisfaction. Call today for plumbing service in Chatham-Kent, ON.
