Backflow: Scarier Than Any Movie Monster

Understanding and Preventing Dangerous Backflow

There’s no monster that homeowners face as scary as backflow. Yet many homeowners don’t know what backflow is or why it’s crucial to test for it regularly. But when the dangers seep into their homes, it’s often too late to do anything about it. The damage has been done. Keeping clean water clean and dirty water flowing in the right direction is the main purpose of backflow prevention and testing. Like most plumbing-related issues, prevention is the best antidote to the backflow monster. 

The Mess Backflow Leaves To Clean Up

The most obvious issue with backflow is the mess that it leaves for homeowners to clean up. Sometimes backflow can cause wastewater to travel through drainage pipes and come back up into the house through the sink, shower, or even toilet drain. Depending on where the problem lies, this backflow wastewater could contain sewage, which is usually the worst-case scenario. 

For those unlucky enough to have backflow happen, the problem must be resolved quickly so that their bathroom or kitchen doesn’t become filled with sewage water. Sometimes, however, backflow contains water from an irrigation system, which isn’t quite as bad but can still leave a mess and cause health problems.

Backflow Health Risks

The more dangerous threat from backflow involves contamination of the water supply. When this happens, the wastewater flows the wrong way and makes it into a home or building’s plumbing system. In this way, backflow can contaminate drinking water with sewage, pesticides, chlorine, or other chemicals. Anyone who consumes contaminated water could suffer serious health problems. Even bathing in contaminated water can be dangerous for a person’s health.

In some cases, as in homes or buildings with fire suppression systems, backflow can cause contaminated water to stagnate in the system, creating future problems.

The Importance of Backflow Testing

Backflow is often a symptom of a larger problem, usually involving a broken pipe, a pressure change, or a leak somewhere in the system. Many times the fault lies with the municipal system instead of the home’s plumbing. The problem is that it’s nearly impossible to tell where the issue is without the help of a trained and licensed professional.

Regular backflow testing is important for those who don’t want to wait until they have a problem. Instead, preparedness works best in preventing dangerous backflow. Today, many homes are built with backflow preventers installed, but they can fail from time to time, which is why it’s important to get them tested regularly. Sprinkler systems, boilers, sewer lines, fire suppression systems, and municipal lines can all cause backflow into a home or business.

A trained professional can perform backflow testing to keep homeowners protected from this dangerous plumbing monster that comes out of nowhere. Backflow prevention devices should be installed where they are needed, tested, and checked by a professional plumbing technician. 

About E.R. Services

E.R. Services has been serving Charlotte, NC, since 1997. They’re approaching 10,000 five-star reviews due to their excellent workmanship and customer service. Every job comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and the peace of mind homeowners deserve. Contact them today to schedule backflow testing in Charlotte. 

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