THE CAUSES OF BACKFLOW
Backflow is when the direction of water or sewage is reversed in a home or city plumbing system.
As a result, mild to severe contamination can occur through either siphonage or back-pressure. Siphonage is when the water direction reverses due to a reduction of water pressure.
The most common cause of this is a water main break. Back-pressure occurs when the downstream pressure is higher than the supply chain pressure.
One of the most common causes is equipment malfunctions, such as defective pump systems. Without proper testing or prevention, backflow can cause serious illness, disease, and even death.
THE HEALTH RISKS
Backflow testing can prevent contamination and protect the health and quality of life of your family. There are very specific health problems that can be avoided through backflow testing.
Historically, there have been major outbreaks of typhoid, dysentery and salmonella have all occurred due to backflow. In modern times, chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide and insecticides, have entered plumbing systems through backflow. However, the most common problems associated with backflow are sewer backups.
When siphonage occurs, sewer backflow causes contaminated water to flow back into the plumbing system. Sewer water is loaded with a variety of harmful bacteria that can cause serious health problems. For example, common bacteria include E. Coli, salmonella, and hepatitis.
However, there are less common, yet very harmful bacteria that are found in sewer water. For example, acanthamoeba (causing eye, nose, throat, and ear infections), Heliobacter Pylpri (causing ulcers), and leptospirosis (causing muscle aches and vomiting). All of these bacterial infections can be avoided through annual backflow testing.
BACKFLOW TESTING
Backflow testing will ensure that backflow preventers, the useful devices that prevent backflow, are properly working.
These devices are placed in plumbing cross-connections, where drinking water may possibly become contaminated. However, backflow can also occur outside the home.
That is, irrigation or sprinkler systems must have backflow preventers in order to stop lawn fertilizer from contaminating drinking water.
Keep in mind that only a plumbing professional, like Cass Plumbing (who is licensed and certified), is allowed to perform backflow testing.
Regular backflow testing will keep your plumbing system safe and healthy.
Call Cass Plumbing For All Your Backflow Testing & Backflow Prevention Needs
When you need a good backflow service in Tampa, give the professionals at Cass Plumbing a call. Cass Plumbing has thousands of 5-star reviews online, is ranked #1 by Best Plumbers for the Tampa Bay region, and has earned an A+ rating by the Tampa Bay Better Business Bureau. Get in touch today with us today at (813) 265-9200.
