Most homeowners know about clogged drains and water leaks, but these issues can be the least of your concern when you’re faced with a backflow emergency. Caused by a few different scenarios, it can be a huge problem not only for your plumbing but also for your health.
Of course, you can call a plumber once you realize this issue has taken place or you can proactively fight the problem with a backflow preventer the best plumbing solution for your home.
Understanding The Risks of Backflow
So backflow is a danger, but what is it exactly? To keep things as simple as possible, backflow is the reversal of the flow of water into your home, which causes “dirty water” to flow back into your home - hence, backflow.
This reversal of water flow can happen for a few different reasons, but it’s mainly caused by either significant damage to your sewer lines or a drop in pressure.
Your sewer lines are responsible for removing wastewater from your home, if they’re damaged, that same dirty water can flow back into your plumbing. By the same token, your entire plumbing system works on pressure. If the pressure drops because of a damaged pipe or an open fire hydrant, it could cause your plumbing to pull in non-potable water.
How Does an Air Gap Protect Your Home?
While there are plenty of different ways to prevent backflow, one of the simplest and longest running ways is with an air gap.
Built into your plumbing system, an air gap is a space between your plumbing line and a fixture in your home.
During normal operation it creates the pressure that allows water to flow out into the fixture, however, the air gap also prevents water from flowing back into that same line during a pressure loss situation.
As opposed to spring operated preventers, air gaps occur naturally in plumbing systems, making them a basic protection for your plumbing system.
Installing Pressure Vacuum Breakers
For homeowners looking for a more serious way to protect your plumbing from backflow, you may consider a pressure vacuum breaker or PVB device.
Because they are spring-loaded, they are forced open with the regular pressure levels of your home’s plumbing system. When that pressure drops - like during a backflow emergency - that spring unloads, closing the supply of water into your home.
Because PVBs are generally in an easily accessible area, they can be tested regularly to ensure your home is protected. While annual inspections are always recommended, if your home is located below flood levels or in an area prone to heavy rains, it’s a good idea to get your backflow preventers tested more regularly.
Find The Right Backflow Preventer For You
Your home is your castle, and it’s important to keep it protected. A backflow preventer is an easy way to keep your pipes safe and your water supply free and clear of impurities.
Whether you have an air gap, pressure vacuum breaker, or atmospheric vacuum breaker, preventing backflow is key. At First Choice Plumbing Solutions we are your Port St. Lucie plumbing experts.
With our best plumbing practices, we can keep your home in tip-top shape. Best of all, since we offer a full range of plumbing solution, we can test your backflow devices and your water supply to ensure everything is clean.
And in the event we do find an issue, we can also help you with standard plumbing repairs. Regular plumbing inspections are essential for all homeowners - and it can all start with a backflow diagnostic.