Backflow is a common problem in Nanaimo, BC and can cause contamination of your clean water supply. There are several health risks associated with backflow, including exposure to E. coli and Salmonella. Backflow can also expose you to several chemicals from cleaning products and pesticides. There is also a risk of property damage if you experience flooding in your home. There are several reasons why backflow occurs and options for stopping it.
What Is Backflow and Why Does It Occur?
When water in your pipes changes direction and flows the opposite way, this is backflow. When this occurs, contaminants can move into your clean water supply and out through faucets and fixtures. The most common causes of backflow are back siphonage and backpressure. Back siphonage occurs when a drop in water pressure in your pipes creates a vacuum effect, which pulls water backwards. Back pressure occurs when pressure in your plumbing system is higher than pressure in your clean water supply. These scenarios are common if you have incorrect plumbing installed in your home, experience a sudden change in pressure from a local water main break, use of a nearby hydrant, or malfunctioning backflow prevention devices.
How to Prevent Backflow
There are several methods you can use to prevent backflow in your home. Because of the importance of maintaining the safety of your clean water supply, it’s best to work with our team to come up with a plan.
Use Backflow Prevention Devices
There are several types of backflow prevention devices that you can have professionally installed in your home to prevent water from flowing backward. It’s important that you have these devices inspected and maintained annually to ensure they work correctly. It’s common for sediment and mineral deposits to form on backflow prevention devices, which can decrease their effectiveness. Cleaning these components is part of routine maintenance. Most backflow prevention devices last for 15 to 25 years. If yours are nearing this point, it may be wise to start planning on replacing them.
An atmospheric vacuum breaker system will introduce air into your plumbing system. This is designed to interrupt the vacuum effect that occurs with backflow. This preventer is commonly used outdoors when you have a sprinkler system, pool, or hot tub on your property. This is an affordable backflow prevention device with a simple design. It’s optimal for intermittent use. If your home has a high risk of backflow, it’s a good idea to invest in something more reliable with multiple stages of protection.
A double check valve assembly senses when there is any amount of pressure drop in your plumbing system. Installation occurs in a spot that is lower than an upstream area with higher pressure. The second valve in the unit will engage if the first valve fails, providing you with backup protection. This is an ideal assembly in a home with a moderate risk of backflow. If both valves fail, there is still a risk of contamination.
In homes where backflow is a substantial risk but not with a high rate of pressure, a pressure vacuum breaker is ideal. Its design includes a spring-loaded check valve that moves water in a single direction. As long as the water flow is normal, the valve will remain open. If any change in pressure occurs, an inlet valve opens and introduces air into the system. This interrupts the vacuum effect and prevents contamination.
If it is determined that your home’s plumbing system is at a high risk of backflow, a reduced-pressure zone prevention device is highly recommended. This setup has multiple stages of protection in case one level fails, including a pressure relief valve and two check valves. Two shutoff valves are installed as well, allowing for the stoppage of water through this area during maintenance, inspection, or repairs. Test cocks can be installed to provide the option for ongoing testing and surveillance of your backflow prevention device. It’s common for a reduced-pressure zone prevention device to be used in a home or commercial building where there is a high risk of chemical contamination from pesticides, fertilizers, or hazardous materials. This type of backflow preventer is expensive, but it’s designed to provide you with ample protection and peace of mind. Also, a drainage system is required, as this unit will discharge water.
Maintain Proper Water Pressure
During a routine plumbing inspection, our team can check the water pressure throughout your home. Ensuring there isn’t any shift in pressure can prevent backflow from occurring from back pressure or back siphonage.
Ensure Proper Plumbing Fittings
An important area of your plumbing system that has a significant risk for backflow is cross-connection points between non-potable and potable water sources. We can inspect your plumbing system to ensure that proper fittings were used and make adjustments as necessary.
Watch Out for Signs of Backflow
It’s important to educate yourself on the risk of backflow and know what signs to watch out for. If you notice something is amiss with your plumbing system, you can reach out to our team for assistance.
If your water is contaminated, it may smell or taste bad. You may also see some sediment floating in your water, or it may look rusty or cloudy. Never consume this water. Rather, contact us immediately.
If backflow is occurring, there may be a sudden shift in water pressure coming from your faucets and fixtures. There are other issues that can cause this as well, such as leaks and clogs. It’s best to schedule a professional inspection to determine the root of the problem.
When backflow occurs and the water direction changes, this can cause a gurgling sound deep within your pipes. You may also see leaks occurring at cross connection points in your plumbing system because of the pressure change. Watch for pooling water in areas where pipes are located.
If you or someone in your home is experiencing health problems with no apparent cause, your water quality may be to blame. You may be consuming contaminated water and not realize it. You can have your water quality tested and utilize a routine inspection to rule out backflow and other contamination issues.
The integrity of your plumbing system and its fittings is at risk when backflow is present. A frequent change in backpressure can cause corrosion, which leads to leaks, pipes bursting, and other problems. If you find that you’re scheduling many of the same plumbing repairs frequently, backflow may be the cause.
It’s important to note, backflow in your home can cause contamination issues in your neighborhood as well as in your own home. If you invest in a backflow prevention device and routine plumbing maintenance like drain cleaning, this protects your neighbors as well as yourself from liability.
Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas can help you take appropriate steps to protect your health from the dangerous effects of backflow. This includes routine plumbing inspections, backflow prevention equipment installation, drain cleaning, and emergency repairs. Contact Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas for assistance with backflow prevention in Nanaimo today.
