Worried about backflow and your water quality? If you’re not familiar with the term, think of backflow like traffic driving the wrong way down a one-way street. When backflow occurs, contaminated water flows in the reverse direction and can infect the public water supply. It’s a major concern in our area of Texas because backflow allows contaminants, chemicals, and bacteria to enter residential water lines and even infect the public drinking supply.
Homeowners can do their part with a backflow inspection in Plano, TX. But it’s not just something we should all do for the good of the community. The city of Plano Backflow Program was designed to enforce strict testing and inspection requirements to keep our community safe.
So what actually causes backflow and why is it such a big deal? Here are the most common culprits our Plano plumbers see, and how homeowners can stay protected.
Backpressure is a problem that can quickly contaminate a clean water supply. It happens when the pressure inside your Plano plumbing system becomes greater than the city’s water supply. It can be caused by a variety of issues, including:
Sometimes the opposite of backpressure can happen, which is called back-siphonage. This happens when the city’s water pressure suddenly drops and creates suction that pulls water backward. The most common causes include:
If a garden hose, sprinkler, or irrigation line is submerged during any of these events, the dirty water can quickly get pulled into your drinking water lines.
Have you noticed rapid changes in water demand? Maybe a nearby fire hydrant was opened or a construction site required a shut-off. The fluctuations in pressure can create an opening for a reverse direction of problematic water into pipes.
A quality prevention device won’t protect your drinking water if it isn’t installed correctly or serviced. You could end up with a faulty valve or worn component that fails during a backflow event. Just as important as installing the prevention device is a backflow inspection in Plano TX. They’re required on a routine basis to verify the device is working the way it should and keeping contaminants out of the city’s supply.
Older homes may think they have their backflow devices in place, but in reality they’re outdated or have missing parts. Our team frequently sees this on irrigation lines or outdoor faucets. Without certified devices that include everything required, from air gaps to vacuum breakers and reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assemblies, the risk of contamination is much higher.
When there’s a link between a line of clean and contaminated water, you have a cross-connection problem. Everything from irrigation systems to sprinkler heads sitting in a puddle after rain can be contaminated. Without a proper backflow prevention device, these connections create pathways for pollutants and contaminants to enter your home’s water system, potentially making you sick.
Keeping your home’s water safe is possible with a few simple prevention steps, including:
Backflow is more than a nuisance; it’s also a matter of health and safety. Contaminated water can put your family, neighbors, and entire community at risk if it’s not addressed as quickly as possible—and maintained for the long run. Beyond doing the right thing, the city of Plano backflow program also requires homeowners and businesses to stay current with the latest inspections and testing. The team at DNA Plumbing is always here to help. Schedule your backflow testing in Plano, installation, or inspection today!
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