What is Backflow Testing?

February 19th, 2018 Posted in Backflow Testing
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If you are on city water, your plumbing is connected to the water supply of all your neighbors in your town. Keeping that water clean and healthy is a top priority for everyone, which is why backflow devices are often required. Backflow prevention is key to ensuring that toxins from your home and property do not go back into the community water, helping protect against contamination. Using a backflow prevention device and having backflow testing are part of ensuring safe water for you and your neighbors.

Backflow devices, referred to as RPZ or Reduced Pressure Zone devices, ensure that if something causes a change of pressure in your plumbing, it does not result in backflow into the main water pipe or supply. A leak in your plumbing, use of hydrants for fires, boiler problems or other issues can cause a pressure difference that sucks water from your plumbing into the main line. RPZ devices protect against this from occurring, stopping contaminated water with bacteria, minerals and chemicals from your property from entering the water supply.

Annual Backflow Testing

If you are required to have a RPZ due to a boiler, irrigation system or hydrant on your property, the device needs to be regularly tested for quality. Many municipalities or states require backflow testing at least once a year to ensure the RPZ will work if a water pressure fluctuation occurs. This testing needs to be preformed by a licensed plumber and you may need to submit the results to avoid fines or penalties in your area.

Clean, healthy water is important to everyone. If you have a backflow device at your home or business, make sure you schedule annual backflow testing to protect your local water supply.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Backflow Prevention Information

March 28th, 2012 Posted in Backflow Testing
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Backflow occurs when water flows from a residence or business backwards into the public water supply.  Municipal potable water systems are designed to flow in one direction – from the municipal water supply to the customer which includes residences, businesses, and any facility that is connected to the municipal water supply.  In certain circumstances, this flow can be reversed and potentially contaminated water can flow into the municipal potable water supply.

Backflow can occur if the water pressure inside the home exceeds the pressure in the municipal water supply due to an increase in the pressure in the home or a decrease in municipal water pressure.  Decreases in potable water supply pressure can occur due to a broken water supply line, firefighters using the water to extinguish a blaze or some other reason.

The danger posed by backflow is that the water flowing into the water supply is contaminated.  For example, a sprinkler system could be contaminated by common lawn fertilizers and pesticides which could backflow into the municipal potable water supply.

Many local governments and water authorities try to guard against backflow by requiring that customers install a backflow prevention device.  Not all local authorities require backflow prevention devices.  In some locales only businesses are required to have backflow prevention devices.  In other areas they are required for businesses and for homes that have a sprinkler system or automatic pool filling system.

If your Orlando home or business is required to have a backflow prevention device, and experienced Orlando plumber can handle the backflow installation and repair. In addition,  regular backflow testing is important to keep your backflow preventer in good working order.  You should have the device tested annually by a good local Orlando plumber or more often if required by local law.

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Backflow Testing Keeps Drinking Water Safe

March 2nd, 2012 Posted in Backflow Testing
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Fertilizer. Fire protection chemicals. Pool chemicals. Weed killer. These are among the toxins that can make their way back into your drinking water at home, which is why backflow testing is required by many municipalities.

Water is at risk of flowing backward and into the water system – which contaminates your drinking water — when the pressure in a water system isn’t maintained. Backflow testing helps prevent that.

Water systems are designed so that the water flows in only one direction, thanks in part to water pressure. Water pressure is what keeps the stream flowing from the water supply to your home. However, the water, could potentially change direction if the water pressure in the water supply system loses strength. Water in sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, pool water feed systems, and other sources could flow backwards into the water supply lines.  When the water pressure is restored this contaminated water could wind up in the drinking water of your home.

A backflow prevention device keeps dirty or contaminated water from flowing backward into the water supply.  There are two types of common backflow devices: an air gap and a check valve. An air gap connects to your plumbing system from your water storage area; a check valve forces the water to flow in only one direction, thereby keeping it out of your home.

Water can actually flow backward when the water pressure is low. That’s why many municipalities require yearly backflow testing by a certified agency and are required to have a backflow prevention program in place to check for water purity.  Annual backflow testing ensures your backflow prevention devices are working properly and helps protect the potable water supply.

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