No One Wants Water Backflow
Water systems can have issues and malfunction for a variety of reasons. When water backflow occurs, it is downright gross and also can be harmful. It’s important to prevent backflow when at all possible so you can avoid the issues that can arise from it.
What Is Water Backflow?
Water backflow describes what happens when the water flows in the other direction from the intended course. Instead of taking dirty water away from your house, for example, that water comes back into the house and can contaminate the drinking water. There are two main types of backflow:
Back Pressure
Back pressure water backflow takes place when the pressure in the drinking water system within a house is larger than the pressure in the public water lines. This could occur because of an increase in the downstream pressure or a reduction in the house water lines. If firefighters are using the water mains, for example, it’s a good cause of this.
Back-Siphonage
This occurs when negative pressure builds up within a water system. The concern here is that the pressure can draw contaminated water into the house and the drinking lines, like you would water in a straw.
Backflow Preventers
Since it’s best to prevent backflow from ever occurring so your water is clean and healthy at all times, you might want to hear more about backflow preventers and how they can detect and then correct issues that could turn into backflow problems. Backflow preventers can help with back pressure and siphonage problems.
The Back Pressure Conditions
If there are leaks, the preventer will signal a relief valve to open. If there’s debris in the way, the preventer notices the pressure changes and signals the relief valve chamber to equalize and open, if needed. The relief valve can also let contaminated water out if it starts to backflow, before it reaches your home.
The Back Siphonage Conditions
If debris enters the upstream, the preventer will notice and release leaking water through a relief valve. There are also valves that close to prevent downstream water from getting back into the system and becoming upstream water. These preventative measures can help the water line remain clean for use inside a home.
Do You Want to Prevent Water Backflow?
You may not always notice when water backflow occurs. Sometimes, it is obvious. Other times, it sneaks up on you, contaminates your water, and simply goes away without you knowing. Either way, it can lead to serious health concerns and it’s not something you want happening in your house. If you’ve experienced backflow before or you want to make sure you never do, talk to the professionals at Stephens Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning about water backflow prevention. We can inspect your plumbing system, make recommendations based on what’s most likely to happen, and make sure you have the clean, healthy drinking water you need for your family. Water backflow is dangerous when you don’t notice it and inconvenient and a mess when you do. Don’t put yourself in that situation and instead, prevent it from ever occurring.