Backflow Testing Could Save Your Family Member's Lives

The water coming out of your shower and tap are under constant pressure. This is the way the water system was built, and that which provides water on-demand. Things can happen to disrupt this pressure like water main breaks, or freezing pipes.

What happens is that the resulting lack of water pressure creates an opportunity for contaminated water to get into the potable supply. Without pressure, and with no device impeding this process, water will find its own level. This means contaminated groundwater can find its way into your system.

This is why this is called backflow, which means the undesirable flow of non-potable water into the potable supply of a community. There are tests to determine if this has already happened, as well as a device that can be installed to protect your home.

How It Works

A backflow preventer will stop this from happening when the all-but-guaranteed water main breaks in your neighborhood. This will contain water at cross-sections, which is where potable water and non-potable water diverge. The way it works is that these backflow mechanical devices serve to prevent this from happening.

They are directly installed in the plumbing system, and they will serve to stop water that is of unknown quality from flowing back into the system. If every home or property in a community had a properly installed and maintained backflow prevention device, they would protect the public water supply from ever being contaminated through backflow. Testing is the first step to checking to see if this has already happened at your home.

Other Sources of Contamination

There is a reverse situation where instead of water, natural gas can be forced into potable water sources through a direct cross-connection. This, too, will contaminate drinking water, which can also be prevented by use of a backflow device. Back-siphonage occurs when solids, fluids or gasses move into an area of low pressure.

Many municipalities and local health regulatory agencies will require devices be installed to avoid backflow and other agents of contamination from getting into the public water supply system, but they cannot protect every individual property.

An Ounce of Prevention

Testing is the only way to check for contamination in your home water system. The municipality serves to protect the overall water supply, but it is up to each homeowner and property owner to further protect their individual supplies.

There are many points along the water delivery system that the municipality cannot control, as unforeseen problems do arise. This is where it is incumbent upon homeowners to install devices to avoid sharing contaminated water with the neighborhood and also prevent water problems that have occurred elsewhere from entering their property water system.

Want more information on back-flow testing in your Nashville area? Just call Green Hills Plumbing at (615) 383-3339!