What is a backflow prevention device?

To answer that question we must first understand the phenomenon known as backflow.  Backflow is the reversal of flow within a water supply.  It is generally caused by either back-pressure or back-siphonage.  The most common situation is the drastic decrease in water pressure from main water supply to a home or other building.  This can be caused by a series of fires requiring large quantities of water from a fire main, or it can be caused by a major leak in the water main.  Either one will caused the water pressure to drop, and this drop will actually cause more water pressure to exist at the home end of the water pipes, thus forcing contaminated water to flow towards the potable water supply.

Back pressure can also happen if there is a sudden increase in temperature at the home end of the water pipes. This increase in temperature can increase the water pressure in the pipes to such an extent that the water in the pipes will reverse direction, a situation known as backflow.

To prevent contaminants from reaching the potable water supply during backflow, backflow prevention devices are installed.  These are usually valves which will shut off the water supply should backflow occur.  Because keeping the potable water supply safe is so important, there are federal, state and local laws in place which require homeowners and business owners to have backflow prevention devices installed by licensed backflow testing companies with proper certification and to have those backflow devices tested, maintained and repaired yearly by certified backflow testing companies.  Generally these inspections do not take long and the backflow devices can be repaired or replaced fairly easily but remember that it is required that they be inspected yearly.

City Backflow Testing is licensed and certified in the state of Texas and is also licensed in many of the cities within Texas.  With years of experience, City Backflow Testing is your go-to backflow expert and is recognized as such by those in the know regarding backflow device installation and inspection.  Only the best backflow devices like Ames and FEBCO are used by City Backflow Testing so you, the homeowner, can rest assured that your backflow devices are doing their job and keeping the water supply safe.

And safety is what City Backflow Testing is all about.

Is it time for that yearly backflow inspection?  Give the pros at City Backflow Testing a call today!