Backflow: Everything You Need To Know
Except for those who keep up on their plumbing lingo, most people probably don’t know what the term “backflow” refers to. After all, it’s not exactly a household term. And things get even more confusing when “backflow testing and certification” come into the mix.
But it behooves every property owner to understand just what these terms are all about. Backflow can impact the health and safety of everyone living in a given property as well as that of the public at large. So keep reading to learn all about backflow, backflow testing, and what they mean for the safety of a plumbing system.
What Exactly Is Backflow?
Backflow is essentially any instance where the water in a plumbing system reverses direction from its intended course, potentially contaminating the potable water supply with non-potable water. A sudden change in water pressure most often causes this, whether from a burst pipe, unusually high water usage (i.e., when a fire hydrant is opened), or other means.
For example, suppose a home’s irrigation system has just finished watering the lawn and the city water main ruptures. In that case, the sudden pressure loss could cause any standing water to be siphoned back down through the sprinklers and down into the water main - taking any pesticides, weed killers, or fertilizers with it. This is just one kind of backflow contamination event that can seriously endanger the public’s health.
What Is Backflow Certification?
Because of the considerable dangers posed by backflow, local codes require that devices called backflow preventers are installed at any cross-connections. These are points where the potable water system connects to a non-potable water system (between a home’s water main and irrigation system, for instance).
These devices need to be inspected and tested periodically to ensure that they’re working properly. This, and the subsequent process of communication with the city or county, is often referred to as backflow certification. Most cities or counties require that homes and businesses have their backflow preventers certified annually. This keeps the property up to code and helps protect the drinking water from dangerous contaminants.
Can Anyone Perform Backflow Testing and Certification?
Backflow testing and certification should always be performed by a reputable licensed professional specifically trained and certified to work on backflow prevention devices. Not all plumbers or handyman services carry these credentials, so it’s essential to ask about this upfront before hiring anyone for backflow testing.
This is partly to ensure that they can perform the complicated testing process - and any necessary repairs - according to current standards and local codes. But they also need to be approved by the city or county so that the water authority will accept their certificate of completion - without this, the property owner won’t get the certification they need to stay up to code.
About Dutch Enterprises
Since 1962, Dutch Enterprises has been their community’s go-to resource for residential and commercial plumbing & HVAC services. They provide 24-hour emergency service and guarantee 100% satisfaction on every job. Their courteous and trustworthy technicians are backflow prevention certified, so call Dutch for backflow testing and certification in Cape Girardeau, MO today!
