Backflow is undoubtedly a major problem in any plumbing system that can result in contaminated water supply, health risks, and damages to your plumbing system. That said, knowing how to stop backflow is important for a proper and safe dispensing of water in any given residential or commercial building. In this blog post, 10 strategies to prevent backflow will be highlighted and explained to help those near Los Angeles, California have prior knowledge about plumbing.
10 Strategies on How to Stop Backflow
The following are useful tips on how to prevent backflow:
1. Understand What Backflow Is
It is critical to define what backflow is before going deeper into prevention techniques of backflow. The backflow is defined as the flow of water in the opposite direction that is, the safe water could be contaminated by the actually pollutants, chemicals and waste products. This can occur due to fluctuations of pressure within the plumbing systems, which is usually as a result of incidents such as a burst water main or high usage of water for instance.
Such consequences of backflow result in contamination of water and can have dangerous effects on people’s health because of the presence of pathogenic bacteria as well as hazardous chemical compounds. This contamination can be on drinking water hence becoming risky for human consumption. Knowledge of the causes and ways of backflow prevention is the initial step toward realizing the phenomenon.
Furthermore, knowledge of the causal factors of backflow assists in the identification of the related problems. Such incidences as a dramatic decrease in water pressure or wrong connection of plumbing systems may lead to occurrence of backflow. By identifying these problems people, who own houses and businesses, will be in a position to prevent the pollutions of water supplies.
2. Install a Backflow Prevention Device
Backflow prevention device is one of the most useful preventive measures once it is installed. These are contraptions that help prevent polluted water from being backwashed into the purified water system. Common types include:
- Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valves: These are very effective and widely employed in business environments.
- Double Check Valves: These are non-residential valves which provide protection from the backflow suitable for residential use.
- Pressure Vacuum Breakers (PVB): Especially applied to irrigation, PVBs work to stop back-flow by rupturing the vacuum known as the siphon effect.
It is noteworthy that backflow prevention devices of each category are designed for a specific function and offer certain advantages. For instance, RPZ valves are highly reliable, and it is mandatory to install in the commercial and industrial project works. The check valves are fairly effective and affordable and most of the times they are used in houses.
The options for installing backflow prevention depends on the requirements of the plumbing system in question. However, it is recommended that one consult a certified plumber so that he or she is informed of the most appropriate step to take in that particular instance. These devices should be installed correctly and maintained correctly in order to properly prevent backflow.
3. Regularly Test and Maintain Backflow Preventers
Getting a backflow prevention device is not enough. These tests and the maintenance that is carried out on the device periodically are important for the right functioning of the device. Numerous local provisions demand an annual inspection by a certificated expert to confirm functioning of the device. Maintenance entails thorough washing of the equipment, checking the state of the equipment to determine if there is need for replacement of certain parts.
Examining of backflow preventers include looking at the possibility of leakage, possible pressure and the efficiency of the backflow preventer device in its intended function. These tests are normally performed by certified professionals and great emphasis is placed on the use of proper equipment in order to improve the reliability of the results. Testing is not necessarily done once a year but it’s done as required by laws in the country of use and gives an added guarantee that the water a family uses is safe.
As was emphasized earlier, maintenance is also of essence in controlling backflow. Hence over some time, the backflow prevention devices wear out or get damaged hence denying their optimum proficiency. These devices are generally required to be cleaned or some of their parts replaced periodically for its proper functioning. Testing and maintenance should be made a regular affair so as to avoid the bulky expense which is needed to rectify backflow and the health danger related to it.
4. Keep Hose Bibs and Outdoor Faucets Protected
Hose bibs and outdoor faucets are some among the usual entry points that can be accompanied by backflow. Also, fix vacuum breakers on the hose bibbs and outside faucets in order to avoid back flow. These low-cost equipment are easy to incorporate and serve as an extra barrier against contamination.
Backflow prevention mostly targets fixed outlets like hose bibs, outside faucets, and other similar facilities. Nonetheless, they might act as an infection source if they are not well protected. Vacuum breakers work in a way to ensure that backflow of dirty water is prohibited by creating seal which avoid the seepage of dirty water into clean water supply body.
5. Avoid Cross-Connections
A cross-connection is the actual interconnection or junction between the potable water supply and other contaminated sources. Some of the items include garden hoses that are left in pools or tanks and irrigation systems with access to portable water. Do not establish any cross connections to eliminate the chances of backflow. Implement air gaps as well as incorporate backflow preventers where cross connections can’t be prevented.
Infrastructures that may include cross-connection are homes, business premises, and industries among others. Thus, continuation of these connections should be prevented in order to prevent backflow and some of the steps to ensure this include. Measures as basic as not only placing hoses into the water or failing to install correct backflow prevention devices can contribute to substantial prevention of contamination.
Cross-connections can be eliminated effectively by the use of one of the most efficient methods namely air gaps. An air gap is a distance that separates the fixture outlet through which water will be supplied, from the flood level of that fixture. This basic technique helps to avoid contamination because contaminated water cannot be drawn back into the pipelines containing clean water. Such types of gaps are employed in the sinks, dishwasher and so on such fixtures.
6. Install Air Gaps
An air gap is a physical distance between the point where water supply discharge and the flood level of the fixture. This easy technique among others helps in removing backflow since contaminated water cannot mix with the clean water. The gaps in the plumbing are used typically in sinks, dish washers and other fixtures.
Air gaps function well in a manner that commits a space within which contaminated water cannot come into contact with clean water outlet. This space helps to eliminate a siphoning effect as it discourages backflow. Thus, air gaps are a cheap, effective solution to backflow, specifically for plumbing fixtures in homes.
The installation of air gaps is very easy, and there is normally no need to look for professional help to have it done. However, there are complex structures or even business establishments that might require a certified plumber’s advice. Periodically check and service air gaps so that they would adequately prevent backflow.
7. Use Anti-Siphon Devices
Backflow prevention appliances are specifically made to counter siphoning, which is one of the leading causes of backflow. These devices are usually mounted on faucets, hose connections, and home or commercial irrigation systems. Anti-siphon devices prevent loss of clean water by disrupting the siphon effect hence playing a key role on the quality of water supply.
Siphoning takes place when there is a pressure difference between the contaminated water supply and the clean water to be supplied since the contaminated water is always at a higher demand. Anti-siphon devices do this because they enable air into the system, thus eliminating the siphon effect. They are easy to install and serve as handy backflow preventers since they supplement other primary backflow preventers.
Anti-siphon devices can be purchased to fit most appliances such as the faucets, hose bibles, and irrigation systems. Therefore, ensure those devices are properly checked and replaced at frequent and appropriate intervals. In layman’s term, siphon professionally known as siphon back flow preventer has also made considerable accomplishments in preventing back flow and purifying water supply by deployment of back flow preventative mechanisms known as anti siphon.
8. Ensure Proper Pressure Management
In order to avoid backflow, it is important to stick to the recommended unit pressure for water. Fluctuations in pressure can cause pressure shocks which leads to a formation of vacuum where contaminated water is sucked to the clean supply. Fit pressure regulators and check water pressure often so that it does not go over the recommended pressure levels.
Pressure management entails equal distribution of pressure to high and low levels of the system of the water supply. Excess pressure will result to singing or leakage of the plumbing fixtures while low pressure will result to backflow. This is where pressure regulators come in; these are devices that assist in maintaining this equilibrium so as to have a safe water flow.
Daily checks on water pressure are important so that if there are complications the problem can be detected early. Use pressure gauge at strategic points in your plumbing system to monitor the pressure of the system. If, however, you discover that there is a change in pressure, then contact a certified plumber to rectify the issue to avoid backflow.
9. Train Your Household or Employees
Ensuring that the users are educated on how to avoid backflow is important especially if they are using your water system. Assure that backflow hazards are explained along with the need to observe the measures put in place to prevent the same by household members or employees. Educate the users on the right way of using and maintaining the plumbing fixtures mostly from the ones which are in touch with the contamination agents.
Public awareness can be considered to be a cornerstone of backflow prevention measures in conjunction with education on the same. A lot can be done in preventing the spread of bacteria by making sure everyone is informed lets say in a water system so as to avoid contraction of bacteria. This is measures that are as basic as not placing hoses in water, proper installation and maintenance of air gaps and checking plumbing fixtures among others.
Deliver detailed and explicit information on backflow prevention to the members of the household or the employees. Have meetings and seminars at least once every month, educating your employees of the current conventional practices. Thus, you can minimize backflow threats and preserve water purity with the help of creating a safety culture in the concerned area.
10. Work with Certified Professionals
Preventing backflow to be more precise is a crucial and challenging step that should be solved with professional help. Bring in the recommended experts in plumbing and backflow prevention to make sure that the protection is properly instituted. They are also in a position to offer relevant advice, install where it is necessary, as well as undertake test runs and checks.
Certified people understand the risks of backflow and the right measures that should be taken to solve that problem. It is also advantageous for them to analyze your plumbing system, advise on the correct backflow prevention devices you should use and guarantee that the devices will be installed correctly concerning regulation. They include situations that require constant testing, and other similar checks that can only be done by professionals to ensure that your system is in good working condition.
Always ensure that you hire a bureaucrat professional in back flow prevention and ensure he/she has relevant certificates. Do requests for references and recommend for reviews so that you are provided with a professional and credible expert. As you deal with the certified professionals, then you will be in a position to enhance the right backflow prevention measures for your establishment.
The Bottom Line
Backflow prevention should be of great concern to every homeowner or business person in order to allow safe and clean water to circulate within their premises. As long as one familiarizes with the threats and puts in place the optimum prevention tools as well as ensuring the plumbing system is well cared for, one can avoid backflow instances. It is advisable to follow the local regulations and consult certified specialists who will address the issue. Following the mentioned twelve tips, then people will be in a better position to have a clean as well as safe water supply without worrying about the threat of backflow.
