As far as the water quality in your home is concerned, few things are as damaging as backflow. A backflow situation is where the flow of water entering your home is reversed, leaving you with dirty, sometimes contaminated water, pouring out of your taps and fixtures. The best way to prevent this from happening is by getting regular backflow testing, and ensuring that your prevention device is installed and working. At Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning we can help you with all your prevention needs. From testing to installing new devices, our plumbing contractors have the experience needed in and around Sun Prairie.
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What is Backflow?
The process in which drinking water flows from your tap when you turn on the faucet is based on pressure. When the valve is screwed upwards, the pressurized water is drawn upwards. The same applies to your garden hose, drain pipes, dishwashers, showers, and pools. This flow of water is meant to flow in one direction most of the time, but under certain circumstances, it can also flow in the opposite direction (towards your home).
This is usually caused by a water main break. When this occurs, it can contaminate the water supply. This is particularly a concern if sewage lines are involved, as you can quickly find yourself in a situation where sewage water is flowing from your taps, which can pose serious health concerns.
How Can You Prevent Backflow?
A device installed onto your plumbing system to prevent this backflow is known as an RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) valve. Its purpose is to protect your clean water from potential contamination. A reversed flow occurs when there are pressure changes in the pipelines and results in polluting the water with some of the following substances:
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides
- Human waste
- Soap/detergent from sinks/dishwashers
- Chlorine/other chemicals from pools
With a preventive device in place, the main water valve will shut the moment that a reversal in flow is detected. This protects your home, and also gives a plumber time to arrive and perform the necessary repairs needed to fix the issue.
Expert Testing & Certification
On a regular basis, generally yearly, the mechanical operations of backflow prevention devices must be tested to ensure their functionality is intact. The internal components of backflow devices can be tested by applying pressure to the assembly, followed by separating each part to ensure it is operating according to acceptable standards.
In order to pass inspection the check valves should be able to hold minimum pressure, while the relief valves must open when a certain pressure change is experienced. If these operations don’t match minimum standards of performance, they should be repaired or replaced. Regular maintenance can help avoid early replacements of these devices providing you with peace of mind.
At Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning our plumbers are qualified not only to install and maintain your backflow prevention device, but also to obtain the certification needed from Sun Prairie and the surrounding areas. We make the entire process easy, and ensure that your home is always protected. Don’t just take our word for it.
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