Why You Need Your Backflow Prevention Device Checked Once a Year

You may not even realize it, but there is a pretty good chance that your home is equipped with a backflow prevention device. Backflow is a potentially serious plumbing problem, caused when a sudden shift in pressure sucks sewer water back up through the house’s plumbing pipes and into your home. This contaminates your household’s plumbing system with waste water, requiring that the whole thing be cleaned out. In the interest of public health, most cities require a backflow prevention device to prevent this from happening. Read on to find out why you need to have your backflow prevention device checked at least once a year.
What is a Backflow Prevention Device?
Most backflow prevention devices are simple one-way valves, set into your sewer line between your home and the city sewer main. When water is flowing in the correct direction, from your home to the sewer main, the valve stays open. If and when that flow is reversed, it pushes the valve closed. This prevents waste water from actually entering your house and contaminating your plumbing system. Backflow prevention devices are quite good at what they do. However, they are not perfect.
Why You Need Backflow Prevention Maintenance
Though a backflow prevention device is typically very simple, it can still develop issues that will prevent it from operating properly. Most commonly, a buildup of detritus around the hinge of the valve can cause it to become stuck in the open position. As long as the valve is stuck open, the device is completely useless for preventing backflow from contaminating your home’s pipes. This is why it is so important to have the device checked at least once a year.
If you need to have your backflow prevention device checked, call SPS Mechanical Inc. We provide backflow prevention services throughout Haddonfield, NJ.

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Tags: Backflow Prevention, Haddonfield, Plumbing
Monday, August 10th, 2015 at 11:00 am | Categories: Plumbing
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