Plumbing systems are complex structures with a rather simple purpose; to manage water transportation inside your home. That is the entire purpose of the vast and intricate networks of pipes and connections that make up your plumbing.
To carry out their function, plumbing systems are divided into two main sections, says OKC Management. One section is responsible for bringing fresh water into your home, while the other does the opposite; transports used-up water out of the building.
Your plumbing system does two things; it supplies fresh water and also removes wastewater.
But to do this job effectively, the two sections of the plumbing should never meet. The water in the freshwater supply system must never mingle with the wastewater inside the drainage pipes. If this ever happens, the system will be broken.
Backflow: what it is and why it is so dangerous?
Backflow is when the contents of the sewer system travel backwards and enter the freshwater supply system. If this happens, instead of being safe and clean, the water coming from the faucets and shower will be tainted with sewage.
There are two main reasons the wastewater inside a sewer line reverses its flow to enter the freshwater supply. Backflow can happen as a result of back pressure or back-siphonage. What do these terms mean?
Back-pressure backflow
Excessive pressure in sewer lines forces wastewater to flow backwards. Essentially the water is PUSHED back. Back-pressure backflow is caused by:
- Sewer line blockage: Buildup, tree roots and a collapsed sewer line section can cause blockages that result in backflow.
- Flooding due to heavy rainfall: Heavy rains may dump massive amounts of water into a sewer line and overwhelm the system.
- Problems in municipal sewer systems: Overflows in city sewer lines can cause backflow in residential sewer systems
- Incorrect installation: If the sewer line is wrongly installed, it will be vulnerable to sewer backflows.
Back-siphonage backflow
This type of backflow happens when a vacuum forms inside the fresh water supply line, causing wastewater to be SUCKED backwards. Common causes of this problem include:
- Excessive water demand: Firefighting equipment, for instance, can take too much water out of a hydrant and cause sewer backflow.
- Damaged water main: Sudden falls in water pressure due to a broken water line can also result in sewer backflow.
Effects of backflow and how to detect backflow
A sewer backflow in your home will result in the following problems:
- Contamination of the freshwater supply leads to an increased risk of serious illness.
- Toxic insecticides leak into the freshwater supply from your garden hose.
- A real possibility of sewage backup inside the home with the risk of costly property damage.
- Sewage gases drift into the home from leaks in the drainage system.
- The possibility of damage to the hot water lines and home appliances.
But these problems can be prevented with prompt detection of sewer backflow. The only reliable way to do this is via backflow testing. If there is no backflow prevention device installed in your home, you may want to have your water tested, especially if the plumbing is old.
How to prevent backflow
There are several ways to prevent backflow in your plumbing. Below are different automatic backflow prevention devices you can install in your plumbing to safeguard your fresh water supply and your family’s health.
Air gaps
By creating a physical gap between the potable water supply and the non-potable systems, this device can prevent backflows. Although it operates on simple principles, it is highly effective and works for all backflow problems.
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker Assembly
To prevent backflow, this system neutralizes pressure imbalances. It uses an inlet valve that opens to admit air into the pipes. It is best used in preventing backflow caused by back-siphonage.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly
This backflow preventer incorporates an air inlet valve, check valve and shutoffs. The check valve seals the pipes, while the inlet valve neutralizes air pressure. It is most effective for preventing back-siphonage.
Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
These work for backflows caused by back-siphonage and back-pressure. They use a system of spring-loaded check valves, shut-off valves and test cocks. DCVA devices have a backup system that makes them very effective.
Backwater alarm
This device does not prevent backflow but it will alert you when a backflow is happening in your plumbing. It can be installed with the above systems, as a last line of defense against backflow, or as a standalone device.
Backflow prevention in your plumbing is something you should take seriously. You don’t know if your home is vulnerable to backflow unless you test your systems. If you want to understand more about how you can detect and prevent backflows in your plumbing, you can talk to us.