Your home's water supply is designed to flow one way: from the city main into your house. Backflow happens when pressure changes cause water to reverse direction, potentially pulling contaminated water into the drinking water supply.
How backflow happens
- Back-siphonage: A sudden pressure drop in the city main, such as during a water main break or heavy firefighting, can siphon water backward.
- Backpressure: When pressure on your side exceeds the supply pressure, for example from a booster pump.
Without protection, water from irrigation lines (with fertilizer), pools, boilers or other equipment could be drawn into the supply.
What a backflow preventer does
It's a valve assembly that allows water to flow in only one direction. Common residential types include pressure vacuum breakers and double check valve assemblies, often installed on irrigation systems.
Do you need one?
Requirements are set by local utilities and codes. Irrigation systems connected to potable water, fire sprinkler systems and certain equipment commonly require a backflow device. Some utilities require periodic testing by a certified tester and submission of the results.
Maintenance
- Test on the schedule your utility requires.
- Repair or rebuild the device if it fails a test.
- Protect above-ground assemblies from damage and, where applicable, from tampering.
If you receive a testing notice from your utility or are adding irrigation or a pool, a plumber can tell you what device is required and install or repair it.
Need help?
Our pipe repair & repiping team serves Davie and all of Broward County. Call (954) 870-5492.