Why Backflow Prevention is Essential
Backflow is a plumbing term that describes when water flows in reverse towards the water used for showers, drinking water, and other everyday tasks. The health risks that accompany backflow are substantial. When contaminated water flows back into the potable water sources, you can expect people to get sick and plumbing to not function properly. As a result, most cities require the installation of backflow preventers on plumbing systems to prevent the adverse effects of dirty water. Here are some of the critical benefits of backflow prevention:
Keeps home drinking water safe
Bacteria, germs, and chemicals will pollute the water supply without devices that prevent pollutants. There are plenty of different backflow preventers to keep home and commercial water safe effectively:
Air gaps: create a break between the water source and the container to stop water from flowing reverse.
Pressure vacuum breakers: often used with underground sprinklers, they use a pressure system to prevent backflow.
Auto flood gate valves work on air pressure and automatically stop wastewater from flowing back into the water supply.
Hose bib vacuum breakers: connect to hoses outside and have a built-in vacuum breaker that protects water from entering the home from outdoors.
Protects the community from illness
Backflow preventers also protect your neighbors from contaminated water. According to The Center for Public Integrity, millions of Americans have consumed unsafe water over the last 10 to 15 years. Backflow prevention is just one step in keeping our communities safe from contaminants like radium and arsenic.
Limits expensive plumbing repairs
Different chemicals and pollutants flowing through our water do not only affect people. They also damage plumbing systems via corrosion, rust, and creating sediment buildup or blockages. As plumbing removes sediment, it can also lead to costly leaks, interrupting water flow, or slow drainage. Fortunately, all backflow preventers need to be fitted, tested, and checked by a licensed backflow technician to ensure your safety.
Complies with city requirements
It makes sense that backflow prevention is required where wastewater and freshwater could meet. Both residential and commercial buildings must comply with requirements to legally be allowed to use their water supply. After repairs, the backflow prevention device needs to be tested again and pass another inspection.
Preventing backflow is different from filtering water. Some people think that having a water filtration system added to their home water supply can alleviate the issues caused by dirty water. Water filtration helps remove the minerals that create hard water, such as magnesium and calcium. Backflow is much more severe than hard water, which is still potable but often unpleasant to ingest. Without backflow prevention, drinking, cooking, and bathing become impossible without extreme risk.
With over 25 years of experience, American Discount Plumbing has offered expert plumbing service and repair in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding cities at affordable rates for both residential and commercial properties. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing company offering 24-hour emergency service. We provide lasting general plumbing, water leak detection and repair, toilet repair, pipe repair, and water heater repair or replacement solutions. Call 602-883-2787 today!
