Most people have never heard of a pressure vacuum breaker valve, and yet it performs a rather important function in protecting you, and your community, from the dangers of back flow.

A pressure vacuum breaker is an important component of irrigation systems. What a pressure vacuum breaker does is to provide protecting against backflow or back siphoning of water. This irrigation component keeps non-potable water from inadvertently entering the water supply through outlets of the irrigation system.

Call (817) 996-2000 for more information about backflow prevention.

Reasons To Use A Pressure Vacuum Breaker

There are several good reasons for installation of a pressure vacuum breaker as part of an irrigation system, the first of which is that most local building codes require the use of a backflow prevention device on all water systems. A pressure vacuum breaker is an affordable backflow option for use in residential irrigation systems. Contamination of the water supply, caused by a sudden drop in water pressure,  can have wide-ranging effects so prevention is very important. Since there is usually only one water system in the home for both drinking/household use and irrigation use there is always the risk contamination through cross-connections. Therefore, safety is another very important reason to use a pressure vacuum breaker in the home. When installing a new irrigation system check local codes for specific backflow prevention regulations and find out if a permit is required.

City Backflow Testing are experts at Pressure vacuum breaker installation.  Call us today!

How A Pressure Vacuum Breaker Works

A pressure vacuum breaker consists of a check device or inline check valve and an air inlet, usually, a chamber vented to the atmosphere. The pressure vacuum breaker is installed close to the water source in the water flow before it goes into the sprinkler valves. It needs to be installed above the highest point in the system, usually the highest sprinkler head or the highest slope in the yard. The check valve is designed to allow water through and keep the air inlet closed during normal conditions. When the air pressure is greater than the water pressure the vented chamber opens and closes the check valve preventing backflow of water.

How To Maintain A Pressure Vacuum Breaker

Since the pressure vacuum breaker is such an important part of an irrigation system it is important to ensure it is working properly. If you are concerned about a pressure vacuum breaker a test can be performed. Local building codes determine whether a homeowner is allowed to perform the test or whether a professional must be called in.  All cities in Tarrant County require a city certified backflow testing company to perform the backflow testing.

Regular maintenance for a pressure vacuum breaker is minimal. The internal components should be replaced after about five years or as specified by the manufacturer. Another way to ensure that a pressure vacuum breaker continues to work properly is by winterizing the whole sprinkler system. Winterizing the sprinkler system to prevent freezing is required since pressure vacuum breakers are subject to damage from freezing. Local building codes determine whether an inspection is required when a sprinkler system is started up after it was shut down for the winter.

Obviously this is something you want to avoid at all costs, and the first step towards avoiding it is to give City Backflow Testing a call. The number is (817) 996-2000.