Backflow Testing and Installation

WHAT DOES A BACKFLOW DO?

Backflow devices prevent water from inside the building from getting back into the city water system. Clean water should always be entering from the city pipes, never in the reverse direction. There are a two basic ways this can happen:

The pressure in the building pipes is higher than the city pressure, this is called back pressure
The city line pressure drops and draws water in from the building, this is called siphonage or back siphonage

Examples:

Back Pressure: An apartment may have issues with their boiler system, where the pressure in the boiler lines exceed the street pressure, pushing boiler water into the city water supply.
Siphonage: The city water system could have an unexpected drop in pressure (from a burst water main for instance), causing potentially contaminated water used in factories, restaurants, medical facilities etc. to siphon back into the city water supply.

A backflow device is a one-way valve that allows city water to enter the building, but not to exit the building. Because of the importance that city water not be contaminated, your backflow device should be inspected yearly.

BACKFLOW TESTING

Most public places require backflow prevention devices. This includes restaurants, apartment buildings, manufacturing and processing plants that use water in their processes, medical facilities, and buildings that have boilers.

In addition, fire sprinkler systems and irrigation systems each require backflow devices.

It is important to have your backflow devices checked annually. In fact, this is a bylaw requirement.

Wet Bandits Plumbing is listed on the Region of Durham web site as a qualified contractor for testing and installing backflow prevention devices.

If your business doesn't have a backflow device, Wet Bandits Plumbing can help make the process as painless as possible, assisting with permits and all aspects of the process.