Clean water quite literally means life to humans, and it’s something that is easy for us in America to take for granted on a regular basis. But the reality is that sometimes, issues can occur which may cause your water to become contaminated. One of the most common issues is that of backflow, and having a certified professional backflow tester run a test on your lines is important to ensure that you and your family are getting the clean drinking water you all deserve.
The Basics Of Backflow
Backflow is an issue that occurs when the water in your plumbing system begins to flow in the opposite direction from where it should. For instance, instead of water leaving the pipes out your fixtures and into the sink, tub, toilet, or washing machine, something occurs that forces water backwards out the lines. It’s primarily an issue when cross connected water systems are in place, where some lines are for drinking water and other lines are for other uses.
When this occurs, the water that moves backwards can enter the same lines that feed your drinking water. As a result, serious contamination can occur. Everything from cleaning chemicals to metal sediment to fertilizer and pesticides from lawns could end up in the drinking water of your home. As such, preventing backflow is a must, and allowing a backflow tester to ensure your water is safe is incredibly important.
Do You Need Your System Tested?
The bottom line is that virtually every water system needs to have some form of backflow control installed. In fact, it’s so important that the vast majority of cities and states have very strict requirements in place in their building codes. In other words, backflow prevention measures must be present.
But do you need your system tested? If you’re unsure, the answer is probably a ‘yes’. Those who have no idea whether or not their plumbing system has a backflow prevention design should contact a backflow tester as soon as they can.
And even if you do have backflow prevention installed, there’s a chance that it could be failing to do its job. Some signs that you need to get the system tested include:
- Foul smelling water
- Foul tasting water or water with a minerally, metallic, or chemical taste
- Cloudy water
- Visible sedimentation in water
If your water seems to be contaminated, there’s a good chance that backflow may be an issue. Letting our experienced testers take a closer look at your system is important for keeping your family safe from dirty, contaminated water.
What Will A Backflow Tester Do?
A backflow tester will obviously take the time to determine whether or not backflow is a problem in your water system. However, the best testers will be the first line of defense and also help improve the quality of your water as a whole. Here are some of the things you can expect to happen when our professionals arrive.
- Backflow Testing – The obvious thing that any backflow tester will do is to determine if there is a backflow problem occurring in your lines. They also identify whether or not a backflow prevention device is in place and if not, what steps need to be taken to install one in the system.
- Location Of Issues – Backflow could be caused by things like leaks in the lines, improper installation of pipes or fixtures, and more. And depending on the source of your water, it could actually be a problem outside the home near the city or county water mains. Your backflow tester will take the steps needed to identify the source of issues if there are any. In addition to installing the appropriate backflow prevention measures, addressing underlying problems will be key in making sure you have safe drinking water.
- Maintenance Visits – A backflow prevention device needs to be inspected and maintained on a periodic basis. We’ll set up a recurring visit plan that allows us to inspect the device periodically and make certain that it is providing you with the defense that you need. This way, you never have to worry about an issue with backflow. These routine visits happen rarely, but are enough to make sure your water stays safe.
And when an issue arises, our team can identify the problem and handle all needed repairs or corrections. Your home’s water is of the utmost importance to you, and you deserve to know that it’s all it should be. A backflow tester will be instrumental in making sure that you have clean, safe water and that backflow isn’t a problem.
