Backflow can pose serious risks to your family. Contaminated water can flow backward, entering your clean water supply and leading to health risks, property damage, and regulatory violations. Our team of professional plumbers at Tuck & Howell, Inc. in Duncan, SC, uses an important device called a backflow preventer to stop this from happening. We want to help you understand how these devices work, where we install them, and why they are important.
Understanding Backflow Issues
Backflow happens when water flows in the opposite direction. Instead of moving from a clean water source to your faucets, changes in pressure can reverse the flow. This reversed water can pick up contaminants from various sources.
There are two main types of pressure changes that can lead to backflow. Knowing about these can help you take the right steps to prevent problems.
Backpressure
Backpressure happens when the pressure downstream is greater than the supply pressure, causing wastewater to flow into the clean water supply. This can lead to contamination and other serious issues.
Backsiphonage
Backsiphonage happens when there is a sudden drop in water supply pressure. This drop creates a vacuum, which can draw contaminated water back into the clean water supply.
Dangers of Backflow
Backflow problems can pose significant health risks. They can lead to the spread of harmful waterborne illnesses like E. coli, salmonella, and hepatitis. Additionally, backflow can contaminate water meant for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Examples of backflow contamination include:
- Pesticides from lawn irrigation
- Chlorinated pool water
- Fertilizer from the agricultural industry
- Industrial fluids from manufacturing
Types of Backflow Preventers
Every backflow preventer serves a specific purpose and has an ideal installation method. Some are straightforward and commonly used in residential areas, whereas others are tailored for industrial environments.
Air Gap Backflow Preventers
Air gap backflow preventers are simple devices that create a vertical space between the water outlet and a fixture, preventing water from siphoning back. Plumbers commonly install these devices on dishwashers, water softeners, and reverse osmosis systems. They are effective and straightforward to install, but they only function with gravity-fed drainage systems.
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker
Atmospheric vacuum breakers are one-way valves that allow air to enter the system when pressure decreases. Introducing air helps prevent potential backflow. These devices are spring-loaded and are typically installed on hose bibs and lawn irrigation systems.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker
A pressure vacuum breaker functions like an atmospheric vacuum breaker, but it can withstand higher pressure. This design enables it to maintain continuous pressure, which makes it perfect for outdoor faucets, sprinklers, and swimming pools.
Double Check Valve Assembly
Double-check valve assemblies consist of two check valves that work together to prevent backflow. This double-check valve system provides an additional layer of protection against backflow. Plumbers typically install these assemblies in fire sprinkler systems, commercial water lines, and boiler feed lines. They are designed to be compact and easy to service, making them a practical choice for various applications.
Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly
Backflow preventers are crucial for safety as they offer top-notch protection against contamination. Their design includes two check valves with a relief valve in between. If both check valves fail, the relief valve will release any contaminated water, preventing harmful exposure.
According to the South Carolina Safe Drinking Water Act, all backflow preventers must be tested annually in high-risk areas like hospitals and chemical plants. This testing guarantees that they work properly and helps determine if a replacement is needed.
Which Properties Need a Backflow Preventer?
South Carolina plumbing codes specify the requirements for installing backflow preventers. While not every home must have them, they are mandatory for homes equipped with irrigation systems, wells, and swimming pools.
Additionally, several other types of properties will also be required to have these devices:
- Commercial and industrial facilities
- Restaurants and cafes
- Multi-unit residential buildings
Check with your local water authority to see if you need to install a backflow preventer. You might require one if you have cross-connections or if there’s an increased risk of contamination.
Choosing the Right Backflow Device
Selecting the right backflow device can be challenging and requires professional guidance. Installing the wrong type or not having one in place could lead to contamination risks, system failures, and potential fines.
We can help you determine the correct backflow prevention device by evaluating your risks. The plumbing industry classifies plumbing backflow risks into two main categories.
Low-Hazard Pollutant
Low-hazard situations indicate that backflow might introduce pollutants that can affect taste, color, and smell, but they don’t pose a significant health risk. Typically, double-check valve assemblies are the best option.
High-Hazard Contaminant
Hazards involving contaminants can lead to serious health issues, including severe illness or even death. To address these risks, it’s important to use a higher level of protection, and installing a reduced pressure zone is an excellent choice.
When considering the installation of a backflow preventer, it’s essential to take the type of building into account. Pressure vacuum breaker systems are commonly used in residential homes that have well water, irrigation systems, or water softeners.
Common Residential Installation Points
In Duncan, we place backflow prevention devices in important areas of homes. Here are the most common locations:
Outdoor Hose Bibs and Faucets
Hose connections can sometimes cause backflow, especially when they are submerged in pools, buckets, or ponds. To prevent dirty water from re-entering your home’s water supply, make sure to install a hose bib vacuum breaker at each outdoor faucet.
Lawn Irrigation Systems
Sprinkler systems can heighten the risk of backflow in homes. This could lead to fertilizers, pesticides, and soil contaminating your main water supply. To ensure your water remains safe, think about installing a pressure vacuum breaker or a reduced pressure zone assembly. These devices help prevent backflow from lawn irrigation.
Private Wells and Booster Pumps
If you have a private well or a pressure booster system, it’s important to install a backflow preventer. This device helps prevent contamination by stopping backflow from irrigation systems and other nearby sources.
Water Softeners and Filtration Systems
When installed and working properly, water softeners and filtration systems do not pose a risk of backflow. To further ensure safety, consider adding a check valve or an air gap on the discharge line. This can help prevent backflow from waste lines or the brine tank.
Boilers and Radiant Heat
Closed-loop heating systems can risk backflow because of the chemicals and rust inhibitors they contain. To stop this backflow, you should install a backflow preventer that includes a check valve on the water supply line leading to your boiler or radiant heating system.
Pools and Hot Tubs
Filling the lines that supply pools and hot tubs can create potential backflow issues. To ensure the safety of your water supply, it is important to install a dedicated backflow preventer.
Tuck & Howell, Inc. is a local, family-owned plumbing, heating, and air company. We have proudly served our customers since 1969 and take great pride in doing the job right the first time. We offer 24/7 emergency repair services and stand behind our work 100%. Allow us to help protect your family’s water supply.
Call our plumbers at Tuck & Howell, Inc. if you need backflow preventer services.
