Backflow Testing NYC is an annual test that helps protect your household water from contaminated or polluted sources. It can be hard to know when backflow is occurring unless a highly trained plumber completes a backflow test.
There are many technicalities that must be taken care of before a backflow test can be performed. The property owner must allow the plumber to shut off the water, inform everyone that their home will be without water, and take note of the backflow prevention device.
Backflow prevention devices keep contaminants like pesticides, fertilizer, and bacteria out of your drinking water. These pollutants can contaminate your water if the flow of your irrigation system reverses, usually from changes in water pressure or damage to your sprinkler lines. This can introduce harmful chemicals into your water supply, which can cause illness and, in extreme cases, even death. Installing a backflow preventer ensures that these chemicals aren’t able to flow backward into the city’s main water line and into your home.
Backflow prevention devices are a series of one-way valves that only allow water to flow through them in one direction. They are installed in homes and businesses to protect against backflow contamination that could otherwise contaminate the clean water we drink. They can be found in sprinkler systems across homes and businesses, in labs, and even in city water lines.
These backflow prevention devices use check valves that have a washer inside of them, which creates a seal that is meant to last for years to come. However, over time, this washer can deteriorate and begin to leak. This is why it is so important to schedule regular maintenance for your backflow prevention device. Our licensed backflow technicians will replace the washer as needed and ensure it is sealed tightly.
Depending on the type of backflow prevention device, it will be required to undergo a specific test. The types of tests will vary, but all backflow devices are tested for leaks, unwanted movement, and whether they are functioning properly. For instance, high-hazard backflow preventers must be tested on a yearly basis, while low-hazard devices can be tested every three to five years.
While some states require testing for backflow, it is up to you as the property owner to ensure that your backflow prevention device is functioning properly. It’s also important to note that even if your state does not require backflow testing, it is recommended that you have your backflow preventer tested by a licensed technician on a yearly basis. Keeping your backflow prevention test up-to-date will help to ensure that you’re drinking safe, clean water and not putting yourself at risk for illness or death.
How Does a Backflow Prevention Device Work?
Backflow prevention devices are like one-way gates for your plumbing system. They allow water to come in and out, but they stop it from flowing in the opposite direction, which can contaminate your clean drinking water. This contamination can result in serious health implications such as disease, illness, and even death.
Fortunately, regular backflow tests will prevent this from happening. When you schedule a backflow test, a certified technician will isolate the device’s valves so that water can’t flow through them during the testing process. They will then use a variety of tools to check for backflow, such as gauge assemblies and test kits. Ultimately, the backflow prevention device will be assessed for its effectiveness, and any issues will be repaired so that you can keep your home’s drinking water safe.
When the backflow prevention device is working as it should, your water will only flow in one direction: from your toilets and washing machines into the waste pipes and not into the clean drinking water supply. That’s because these devices prevent the reverse flow of wastewater, which can cause severe back-contamination in your drinking water and, if not addressed, could lead to serious health concerns.
Unfortunately, this type of contamination can happen for a number of reasons, including changes in pressure or temperature. Other factors that can contribute to backflow include cross-connections, which are points where water flows from a different source than the potable water supply. These can also contribute to backsiphonage and backpressure.
When backflow does occur, contaminated wastewater from your toilets and appliances can flow back into the clean drinking water supply and contaminate it. This can affect the health and safety of your family, and it can even spread to the entire community or county if not addressed immediately.
This is why backflow testing is so important. It not only helps keep your family and neighbors safe, but it also ensures that the clean drinking water you rely on is available to everyone. And remember, this isn’t just for those who live in areas prone to flooding; it’s something every homeowner needs to do.
What is a backflow prevention test?
Backflow testing is a routine plumbing service that many cities require homeowners and business owners to undergo on a yearly basis. It’s a test that ensures your backflow device is working properly by assessing its pressure levels. If it isn’t, contaminated water could be siphoned into your clean water supply, which can lead to serious health concerns.
A special backflow prevention device is installed at cross-connections in your plumbing system, such as at the water meter or outside hose bibs. These devices are designed to prevent contaminated water from being drawn back into your drinking water supply from places like sewers, drains, and sewer lines, as well as from chemicals, pesticides, waste products, or human waste. It works by essentially creating a one-way valve that only allows water to move in one direction.
This is accomplished by placing a set of check valves around the cross-connections. When the water is turned on, it flows through the pipes and is pushed out of the hose bib or meter. However, if the pressure changes due to a burst water main or other issue, it can cause the water to reverse flow and enter your clean water supply. This is where the backflow prevention device comes into play. The check valves in the backflow prevention device will open and close automatically to prevent this from happening.
In addition to homes with backflow prevention devices, they are also found in places such as restaurants and other commercial buildings, parks and schools where irrigation systems are used, and hospitals and nursing homes. They are even used in residential swimming pools and spas, as well as in lawn sprinklers.
To ensure your backflow prevention device is working properly, it must be tested on a yearly basis by a licensed plumber. If you fail your test, you will receive a letter from the city that requires you to repair, overhaul, or replace your backflow preventer within 14 days. This is to protect the city’s public water supply from contaminating diseases and illnesses that may come from dirty water.
The best way to get your backflow testing done is to work with a local company that offers plumbing services and has licensed backflow testers on staff. Kiddco Plumbing can schedule your backflow test for a time that is convenient for you and will work with your water company to ensure you have your results submitted in a timely manner.
Why do I need a backflow prevention test?
Backflow testing is an easy, routine plumbing service that helps protect clean water. If a backflow occurs, the system can get contaminated with harmful contaminants that could then be back-siphoned into your home’s water supply. This is why all homes with a backflow prevention device should be tested on a yearly basis.
The main reason why backflow testing is so important is that it can protect you and your family from illness. If contaminated water backs up into your drinking water, you risk getting diseases like fecal matter, salmonella, and coliform. This can cause severe diarrhea and even death, especially for infants and elderly adults. Having a working backflow prevention device prevents this from happening by ensuring that water only flows in one direction.
Another benefit of having a backflow test done is that it can protect your property. If your backflow device isn’t working properly, it can cause a lot of damage to your building and the surrounding area. This can lead to costly repairs and even health concerns for those living in the building. Backflow testing ensures that your backflow prevention device is working properly, so you can rest assured that your property and your family’s health are protected.
It’s also worth mentioning that backflow tests can prevent serious environmental issues as well. If contaminated water travels through your property, it can affect the local ecosystem and create pollution. This can also impact the health of local animals and wildlife if they are exposed to it on a regular basis.
Irrigation systems also use backflow prevention devices to keep their plants hydrated. If the backflow preventer isn’t functioning correctly, it can allow contaminants to enter your irrigation system and make their way into your home’s water supply. This could cause many problems, including the growth of unhealthy, unusable, and toxic plants.
If you are an irrigation user, the only way to exempt yourself from backflow testing requirements is to have your backflow device “cut and capped.” This process disconnects the physical water line from the public water system, so there is no potential for backward flow of contamination into the public water supply. This must be performed by a backflow-certified technician.
