Hope Backflow Prevention Testing
No property is complete without clean running water. Whether at home, or at work, flowing water is key to proper sanitation for yourself, friends, family, tenants and customers. In Hope and throughout the surrounding area, properties are spread all over the map, from city centres to rural areas. No matter what your septic set-up is, regular Backflow prevention testing is a must to ensure that your water is running clean, clear and uncontaminated.
There are plenty of reasons to call on a professional plumber, but more than inspecting air conditioning or a water heater, checking up on your water supply is a matter of health and safety. It is easy to overlook a water system as a part of your regular routine but contaminated water can lead to serious illness, so call the pros at Pete & Son for regular testing.
What is Backflow?
During the average course of a day, clean water floods in with the twist of a tap and waste water flows out with the swirl of a drain. Backflow occurs when this standard flow is disrupted by a change in pressure within the system. When this occurs, waste water backs up into potable water supplies, contaminating it.
Normally, thinking about plumbing and contaminated water leads property owners to think about toilets and sewage but there are plenty of other appliances that contribute to waste water. Just think about drinking the water that drains from your washing machine or dishwasher. Even the thought is enough to make you sick, never mind having bacteria from these areas entering into your drinking water.
Backsiphonage: occurs when a drop in water pressure forces a change in direction of water run-off. This is often caused by external factors such as a water main break or a fire hydrant being put to use.
Backpressure: The opposite of backsiphonage, backpressure occurs when downstream pressure in a water line is higher than the pressure at a source. For example, if there is a clog in the line and there is pressure building on one side, it can force water backward into a clean water supply.
Understanding a Backflow Prevention Device
Because there are several instances where pressure levels can be impacted, properties are outfitted with a backflow prevention device. While there are several types of backflow preventers at play throughout British Columbia, the most common are mechanical valves that allow water to flow only one way, preventing discarded water from coming back in.
Maintaining cross connection control between outgoing and incoming water is key to maintaining a sanitary space, but this isn’t something that can just be done. As a property owner, it is tempting to take on household projects in order to cut down on operating and maintenance expenses, but whenever it comes to plumbing, it is always better to bring in a professional for the best results possible.
Backflow is about more than just discoloured water. If cross-connections lead to backflow, it can quickly lead to waterborne diseases, resulting in gastrointestinal illness. It is important to enlist regular testing to ensure that your water system is functioning properly in order to protect everyone inside.
Most property owners are equipped with simple snakes or liquid plumber, but backflow prevention testing in Hope require specialized tools. During a test, water service needs to be cut off temporarily. From here, devices can be checked for functionality using pressure tools. Depending on the style, size, location and traffic around your property, the rate at which you should have a regular backflow test will change, so touch base with a professional to create a schedule that fits. Call Pete & Son today for a free estimate and a bit of insight!
