Backflow throughout your home’s plumbing system sounds like a serious issue, but how does backflow occur?
Often, backflow can happen due to the crossed connections in your home’s plumbing between potable and non-potable plumbing lines. For homes connected to a city water supply, water enters your home via a series of pipes that connect all homes and buildings throughout the area.
If plumbing systems aren’t functioning properly, then clean water traveling into your home can also leave you home following the same pathways. Backflow can then occur due to the following two events:
- Back Pressure: This occurrence happens when the freshwater entering your home has a lower pressure than the supply existing within your plumbing.
- Back Siphonage: When back siphonage occurs, the water coming into your home is higher than the water currently in your system.
For both back pressure and siphonage, the difference in pressure conditions eventually causes your clean and contaminated water lines and supplies to mix — leading to your clean water being contaminated with water from showers, toilets, sinks, and garbage disposals — or even chemicals from outdoor water sources like a hose.
Backflow Prevention Devices
While backflow is a dangerous probability for many homes, there are several backflow prevention plumbing solutions available to avoid this problem.
Most local building codes require that these plumbing devices be installed in communities where cross-connections exist. Common backflow plumbing solutions are available in reduced pressure backflow prevention gadgets — these involve two spring-loaded valves that block water from flowing in the wrong direction.
In addition to these pieces of hardware, several home appliances are constructed with backflow prevention devices, including:
- Garbage disposals
- Dishwashers
- Toilets
- Pools
- Lawn irrigation systems
- Faucets with hose attachments
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing Today!
Backflow in your home is a serious plumbing issue that can lead to hazardous health effects. If you suspect your home is lacking proper backflow prevention plumbing devices, then call the plumbing experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing in Oneida, NY.
Our team is comprised of licensed plumbers who are certified by Onondaga County for plumbing leak detection for any plumbing-related project, and we offer comprehensive plumbing services If we find your home could use updated backflow prevention plumbing, we’ll work closely with you to find affordable solutions that meet your expectations and provide lasting protection.
To schedule plumbing services, call us today at or complete our online form.