Protecting Your Local Water Supply with BackFlow Prevention

June 22nd, 2016 Posted in Backflow Prevention
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Water quality issues have been making national headlines, making everyone more aware of the possibility of water contamination. One of the ways that local water supplies are protected is through the use of backflow preventers. These devices ensure that toxic water is not accidentally allowed to enter the main water supply, keeping your local water safe.

When a Backflow Preventer is Needed

When you use a local municipal water supply, your home or business is hooked up to the main water line. The force of the water pressure from the main line usually controls any water coming back from your property into the main system. However, there can be situations such as a broken water main or other circumstances that could lower the water pressure, allowing water from homes and businesses to flow back into the main water supply.

This can be dangerous when you have an irrigation system that is connected to the water system. Chemicals used in your lawn could seep into your irrigation system and if the water pressure waned, those chemicals could backflow into the main water supply. This is where a backflow preventer can stop this contamination.

Backflow preventers are used to curtail any water from your property from returning into the main water supply. Not all homes need these devices but it is prudent to have your home inspected and backflow tested by a local sewer company. If a backflow preventer is needed, one can be installed and maintained with annual testing to ensure that it meets local, state and federal standards. It is the best way to help protect your local water supply from backflow contamination.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

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Are You Following the Code for Backflow Prevention?

May 29th, 2015 Posted in Backflow Prevention
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If you are on a city water line, there is most likely a backflow prevention device in your home. These devices ensure that the water in your home lines does not backflow into the main water supply. In most cases this is not an issue. The pressure from the main water supply is usually much greater than your home water lines, preventing backflow. However, it certain circumstances, this may not be the case so a backflow preventer can stop your water from entering the city water supply. In many cities, there are codes requiring homeowners to install and maintain a backflow preventer in their home, or face a penalty.

Why is a Backflow Preventer Needed?

You may be wondering why backflow prevention is such a big deal. What difference does it make if your water goes back into the main water supply? It is a way to avoid accidental contamination. For example, if the pressure is reduced from a main line break or other situation in the water supply, a suction can occur pulling water from every area of your home, even your irrigation system. This can inadvertently pull contaminants like fertilizers and pesticides into the community water system.

Meeting Local Backflow Prevention Codes

If you are not sure what the codes are in your city regarding backflow prevention, talk to your local sewer service provider. They can educate you on what is needed to meet city codes. This can involve installing a backflow preventer, having backflow testing and annual inspections. Most experienced sewer service providers can provide the needed installation, testing and inspections to ensure that your home is following the backflow prevention codes for your city.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

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What Is A Sewer Backflow Prevention Device?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Backflow Prevention
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Having access to the city sewer system is convenient for homeowners, considering the lower maintenance requirements in comparison to owning a septic system. Still, there is a possibility that the main sewer lines that you depend on every day can become clogged. When this happens, the waste you flushed or put down the drain can come flowing back into your home unless you have a working backflow prevention device. 

How A Backflow Prevention Device Works

Most homes on city sewer should be built with a backflow prevention device (BPD) and cleanout to protect the home from backup sewer lines problems. If a major clog forms in the main sewer line, the waste from your home can have nowhere to go, forcing it back up into your home. A BPD will detect the backup and allow the waste to overflow through the cleanout. instead of into your home. 

Most backup prevention devices need to be installed by a sewer contractor. There are a few different types, including spring-loaded, gravity and self-locking pop-ups, as well as mushroom types. Which device is best suited to your property will depend on how close the home is to the main sewer line. Your local sewer service contractor can help you determine which type is best for your home. 

A sewer backup is more than just an inconvenience. It can cause extensive water damage to your home and contamination issues. If you’re not sure whether you have a BPD, or are having issues with backup sewage into your home, call your local sewer contractor to schedule an appointment. They can inspect your existing system and make sure you have the protection you need for main line sewer backup problems.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

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New Irrigation System? You May Need A Backflow Prevention Device

May 8th, 2014 Posted in Backflow Prevention
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This is the time of year when many homeowners are dreaming of a lush, green lawn for the summer months ahead. If you are considering the installation of a new irrigation system to facilitate the growth of a beautiful lawn or have already done so, you may need to also install a backflow prevention device into your water lines. These devices are used to protect the water supply from potential contamination that can occur when water from your lawn irrigation backs up into the pipes. Preventing backflow from your irrigation is not just a responsibility; in many towns it is also the law.

Who Needs A BackFlow Prevention Device

Backflow from an irrigation system is dangerous, due to the possibility of chemicals and other dangerous contaminants from your lawn entering the water supply. In many municipalities, a backflow prevention device may be required at your home. Backflow can occur due to the home having higher water pressure than the municipal water system. This can be caused by high water usage, such as when a home has an irrigation system or when there is a broken pipe affecting the water pressure. A backflow prevention device prevents the water from flowing back into the pipes, protecting the water supply in these situations.

Many sewer and plumbing professionals offer backflow prevention device installation and testing. If you have an irrigation system or are planning to have one installed, you should contact an experienced contractor to discuss getting a backflow prevention device installed before you begin using your irrigation system this summer. It can protect your family, and even other families in your community, from exposure to harmful chemicals in the water supply.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Why You Should Install a Backflow Prevention Device

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Backflow Prevention
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The idea of a lush, green lawn is an appealing one to many homeowners. If you count yourself among this group and live in an area where rainfall is a bit sparse, you know how important a role sprinklers and irrigation systems play in the health of your grass. If have or are considering a sprinkler or irrigation system to maintain your lawn, it’s wise to consider the installation of a backflow prevention device.

In the simplest terms, a backflow preventer is a piece of equipment designed to prevent water laced with pesticides, fertilizers or other hazardous waste from contaminating the water supply. There are two types of backflow to be concerned with: back-siphonage and back-pressure. Both can result in a dangerous situation in which contaminated water seeps into the supply of potable water.

A drop in water pressure from the main line due to a pipe breakage, use of fire hydrants and other heavy drains can cause the water in your lines to flow backwards briefly, draining into the public water supply or into a well on your property. If you’ve installed properly-functioning backflow preventers, you don’t have to worry about the effect contaminated water may have on the supply of drinking water in your neighborhood. When the normal level of pressure is restored to the main water line, you also won’t be saddled with a sudden flow of similarly contaminated water into the pipes in your home.

If you’re considering the installation of a sprinkler, irrigation system or live in an area where backflow prevention devices are required by municipal law, contact a licensed sewer and septic specialist in your area today. A professional can answer any questions you may have about backflow prevention devices, and ensure the proper installation in order to prevent water contamination from originating on your property.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Reasons Why You May Need A Backflow Preventer

November 16th, 2011 Posted in Backflow Prevention
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A backflow preventer is a device that prevents the water in your home from flowing backwards into the water supply.  If you are on a municipal water supply line, a backflow prevention device protects the municipal water supply from being contaminated and if you are on a well, it protects your well from contamination.

Normally, water pressure from the municipal system or your well pump keeps the water in your home flowing in the right direction.  However, there can be a drop in the water pressure due to a break in the water line, heavy sudden usage, or a variety of other reasons.  When this happens, it is possible that water in the water lines in your home or business can flow backwards into the municipal system or into your well.  A backflow prevention device stops this from happening.

There are many federal, state and local regulations that  require backflow preventers to be installed.  These are primarily directed at businesses, but in some circumstances homeowners are required to install backflow preventers.  Check with your local government or water authority to see if a backflow prevention device is required for your home or business and avoid costly fines and penalties.

If you are on a well, a backflow preventer is an excellent way to prevent contamination of the well.  Once a well is contaminated it can be expensive and difficult to get it cleaned up.  Sometimes drilling a new well is required.

If you have a sprinkler system, you need a backflow preventer.  Yards are full of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that can easily get into your sprinkler system.  In the event of a backflow, these chemicals will flow into your water supply line and the municipal system or your well.  No only is there a possibility of contaminating the well or municipal water supply, but when the flow returns to the normal direction all that contaminated water in your water supply line will flow into your home.

If you need a backflow prevention device installed at your home, call a reputable local plumber who handles backflow testing and installation.

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