You may have heard of the term “backflow” before and not really understood how it applies to you and your plumbing system. So what is a backflow test, why do you need it and what does it involve?
In a nutshell, backflow occurs when there is the potential for contaminated water to enter your drinking water supply system through an unprotected opening. There are several ways that your backflow preventer system can have issues over time like general wear-and-tear, environmental factors, and more. When this happens it can be harmful for humans as well as animals who may drink this tainted water.
Backflow testing ensures that issues can be identified and repaired quickly so your plumbing systems are not contaminated with sewage or surface water and you don’t have to worry about back flow entering into your home’s drinking water supply system!
Is backflow testing necessary?
Backflow testing is necessary when it comes to keeping your plumbing systems safe from contamination. It will ensure that back flow does not enter into the public water supply system, which could be toxic for humans and animals who drink this tainted water. Local laws, requirements and regulations may vary, but backflow testing is required for any water service connected to the public supply. This includes drinking water, fire protection and irrigation.
How often do you test backflow prevention?
You’ll want to have your house’s plumbing system inspected on a regular basis. This will help identify problems with the pipes or fixtures as well as ensure that you are not experiencing any contamination issues! In order to protect yourself and your family, backflow prevention systems should always be tested once a year.
What happens if you fail a backflow test?
If your water system fails inspection due to the presence of contaminants, then there is an issue. Contaminants could come from a number of sources including pesticides or other chemicals that are not properly disposed of in the yard and seep into underground pipes via runoff. A failing test means you should have your backflow preventer repaired as soon as possible to avoid water supply contamination risk.