The Value of Water Backflow Testing in Houston, TX

Backflow is one of the most dangerous plumbing issues you can face. In addition to damaging your pipes, backflow can also contaminate drinking water and make you sick. To keep backflow from occurring, it is necessary to understand why it happens and how you can stop it.

What Is Backflow?

Backflow is a type of plumbing problem that occurs when your wastewater does not flow in the right direction. Instead of flowing down into your sewer system, the wastewater instead travels into your fresh water supply. There is a variety of different situations that can count as backflow. In some cases, backflow can cause dramatic gushes of discolored water from your faucets. In other situations, backflow can be so subtle that your water supply’s color, smell, or taste might not change noticeably.

There are several different ways that backflow can happen. It is usually divided into back-siphonage backflow and back-pressure backflow. Back siphonage occurs when a vacuum inside of your pipes physically sucks wastewater backward. Meanwhile, back pressure happens when excessive wastewater pressure causes wastewater to flow in the opposite direction.

Both types of backflows have the same basic result. You end up with wastewater from your toilets and drains coming out of your faucets. The contaminated water supply can cause a huge, disgusting mess throughout your home. Even smaller levels of backflow are still problematic. You might not notice a difference, but you can still get sick from the toxic chemicals and dangerous microbes in wastewater. Backflow is also dangerous for your pipes. When your plumbing system has backflow, your pipes are more likely to corrode, warp, or develop leaks.

 

How to Tell if You Have Backflow

Since backflow can happen so gradually, you might not realize you’re dealing with this plumbing issue. Backflow can usually only be confirmed by testing your water quality.

Here are a few signs that it might be time to test your home for backflow.

• Strange odors around your faucet
• Slow moving drains
• Water that is brown, yellow, pink, or otherwise discolored
• Strong sulfur smells from your water
• Odd tastes in your water
• Small particles floating around in your water.

How to Prevent Backflow from Affecting Your Home

As you can see, there are multiple ways for backflow to occur inside your home. Some of these causes are preventable. Keeping your plumbing system up to code is one of the best things you can do. 

You also need to remember that your entire plumbing system is designed to work together. Doing something like adding a new boiler can disrupt water pressure levels everywhere. To prevent these sorts of plumbing mistakes, you should consult with one of our professionals at Knight's Plumbing if you want to change part of your plumbing system or install a new fixture. They can help you figure out if your wastewater and water supply lines are up to the task.

Even if your plumbing system was perfectly designed, outside forces can still cause backflow to happen. These concerns highlight the wisdom of regular water backflow testing in Houseton, TX. This process also includes Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) testing as when the water pressure drops, backflow occurs. Our skilled technicians take this testing very seriously due to the health concerns. We use the latest tools and techniques and our expertise to ensure that your backflow prevention devices are operating properly. If we do find a problem, rest assured we’ll recommend solutions to keep you and your customers or family safe, as well as advice to prevent water contamination in the future.

If you are concerned about backflow, it is essential to get professional input. At Knight's Residential & Commercial Plumbing, our highly trained technicians can help you get your plumbing up to code and stop backflow in its tracks. Give us a call today 281-480-0733.