Backflow refers to the situation in which water goes in the reverse direction in your plumbing system and it’s a serious problem when it happens. Here are 5 backflow prevention tips to avoid it.

1. Test Your Pressure Vacuum Breaker Once A Year

Having a pressure vacuum breaker is typically required under most building codes. It assists in backflow prevention by keeping non-potable water from entering via the irrigation system outlets.

In order for it to do its job, it has to be maintained. The best way to do this is to check it at least once a year.

Depending on your local codes, you may be able to do this yourself or you may need to bring in a professional.

2. Maintain Your Garden Hoses

It’s very important that you hold your garden hoses to the same standards that you hold your plumbing up to in terms of water flow. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Do not submerge them, especially when filling swimming pools.
• Don’t connect your garden hose to hand-held fertilizers.
• Always put them away after use instead of leaving them laying around to collect foreign contaminants.
• Use vacuum breakers, frost-free hose bibbs, and put them away during cold months.
• Always connect your hoses to an outdoor valve. Attaching hoses to indoor valves can create air bubbles, increasing the chance of backflow issues down the road.

3. Don’t Connect Your System To Well Water

Your internal plumbing should always be kept separate from your well system. Combining the two introduces contaminants that cannot be regularly monitored to ensure safety.

If you’re on a well-only system, it’s important that you use a capped system or get a backflow assembly system installed.

Your well system should be inspected by a professional regularly.

4. Regularly Drain Filtration Devices

If you have point-of-use or have a water filtration system throughout your house, it’s important to maintain it. Many people don’t think to.

These systems can grow bacteria over time that can be released into your water stream. Water softeners should also be given special care as their filter membranes can break down.

If you don’t maintain these systems, the very material you are filtering out can end up in your drinking water. Backflow issues can also happen as a result over time.

5. Ask Your Plumber About Backflow Prevention

Have an open discussion with your plumber about what types of water system you have in place in your home. They will be able to give professional advice about how you can prevent backflow.

Calling in a licensed plumber to check if your water systems are working properly and catching potential issues down the road is worth the investment. It’s much less expensive to contact one to take a look at everything than to wait until there’s an issue.

They will be able to give you tips on backflow prevention that may not have occurred to you. Replacing a simple valve here and there may be all that’s needed for backflow prevention to avoid costly emergencies that can end up happening when you least expect them.

Contact a licensed plumber today to learn more.

What do you do if you your pipes freeze then burst in the middle of the night?

A recent study found that frozen pipes that burst are one of the most common types of plumbing failures.

What if it’s the holidays and your sink starts leaking all over the floor?

This isn’t uncommon either, as 10% of the homes lose 90 gallons of water or more per day to leaks.

In both of these situations, you need help. You need it fast and you need it at the most inconvenient time.

But having a local plumber may be the solution to your problem.

Here’s why:

Playing favorites

It’s okay to play favorites when it comes to choosing your plumber.

Plumbing is projected to grow 21% from 2012-2022. But with so many choices, how can you begin to narrow it down?

The best thing you can do is choose someone local yet trustworthy.

Time

When you have a plumbing problem, you can’t wait around for days.

If a pipe bursts in your home and is flooding your basement or bedroom, you want immediate assistance.

A local plumber will remember where you live from previous visits, as well as which house is yours and where to park.

Protecting your wallet

Plumbers you’ve used for years aren’t confused by being in a new home. This means they won’t spend extra billed hours to figure out the problem.

Your wallet is as important to a trusted plumbing company as it is to you. They won’t take it for granted because they don’t take your ongoing favoritism for granted.

If the same plumber visits your home over several years, they can also recognize a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. Toilet failures are the second most common reason for residential water loss, but if your plumber knows your bathroom well enough, they might be able to tell you when a failure is a possibility.

Expectations of Your Local Plumber

The more you build a relationship with your preferred plumbing company, the more you build mutual trust.

When the plumber arrives at your home, they already know where to find your water valve and your water meter. They know which type of pipes you have and whether you have a sewage or septic waste system.

When you know your plumber is on the way, you already know what you need to get done. Maybe this means clearing out the area beneath the sink for example.

DIY not always a good idea

Most plumbing companies will tell you not to fix your problems at home. They don’t mind you plunging your own toilet or tightening a leaking faucet. But much of plumbing isn’t just messy. It’s also dangerous.

This is another reason to have a local plumber nearby. If you have a favorite, you can call them up to ask questions, to see if the problem can be dealt with on your own or if it’s time to call them out to see you.

Now, it’s time to start your search!

Find your favorite plumber today, and keep their number on the fridge for the next time you have a plumbing disaster on your hands.

A plumbing emergency in your home isn’t just unpleasant – it can also be incredibly costly.

In fact, most water damage repair jobs can run you anywhere from $1,308-$3,677 – and that’s just for an average-sized accident.

We know you don’t want to spend money that you could have used to cover a family vacation on a plumbing emergency. Read this post to learn what you can do to prevent them now!

1. Stop Pouring Your Grease Down The Kitchen Sink

Look, we all want our after-dinner cleanup to go faster.

While pouring cooking grease down your sink may get your kitchen cleaned faster, when it hardens and clogs your pipes, those dirty dishes will really pile up.

Instead, just toss your cooking grease in your trashcan.

2. Don’t Believe Everything You Read

If you have a new baby in the house, or if you love using makeup remover towelettes, know that many of these items aren’t quite as “flushable” as they claim.

These towelettes and wipes don’t fully breaking down, which can lead to a clogged sewer system. When in doubt, toss it out – don’t flush it down!

3. Quit Using Your Pipes As Your Personal Laundromat

Lots of people love to hang clothing (and sometimes, even potted plants) from their ceiling pipes.

While it may be convenient (or, for the plants, a great decorating trend) it’s not good for your plumbing. Pipes just aren’t built to support this kind of weight – especially not soaking wet clothing.

Eventually, your pipes will burst – all over your clean clothes.

4. Stop Using Toilet Tablets

Everyone loves the convenience of a toilet drop-in cleaning tablet, but the reality is that they’re not exactly great for your plumbing.

This is mostly because these tablets contain seriously corrosive cleaning agents that, over time, can wreck havoc on your delicate piping system. Cleaning your toilet with a scrub brush won’t just help you to do a more thorough job – it will also protect your pipes.

5. Go Easy On That Kitchen Sink Disposal

It’s tempting, not to mention easy, to grind up larger pieces of uneaten food in your kitchen disposal.

But remember that more often than not, your disposal isn’t even supposed to grind up half of the things you’re throwing down there. If you’re clearing your plates, toss any bigger leftovers in the garbage cans. To avoid a clog, we suggest slowly scraping the plates over the disposal.

It’s also a good idea to keep the faucet running while you do it. These things can really be a nightmare to unclog – not to mention dangerous. Absolutely don’t try to unclog a disposal yourself.

Prevent A Plumbing Emergency Thanks To These Tips

Thanks to this list, you now know the basic steps you can take to avoid an issue with your plumbing. However, the reality is that not every plumbing emergency can be avoided.

When you need the services of a reliable plumber – and when you need them fast – check out our website to learn how we can get your plumbing back on track.