If you have a business, you know there’s a lot that goes into operating it smoothly. One of the most important issues to consider is whether you have good-quality water at your location.
Not only does that mean you need to test the water coming in, but you also need to make sure that wastewater goes out properly. If it’s not flowing away from your business the right way, there’s a chance it could make its way into the clean water supply, with serious consequences.
Backflow can occur when water comes back up from the drain lines instead of making its way out, and preventing this problem is extremely important for protecting your business, equipment, employees, and customers. That’s why there are preventer devices installed on the lines. These use pressure to stop any backflow of wastewater and ensure that everything is moving in the direction it’s supposed to go. Both prevention and testing are crucial elements to eliminate backflow and guard against it.
What is Backflow Testing?
Backflow testing checks the preventer device installed in your plumbing system to make sure it’s working correctly. It needs a set, stable level of pressure to keep wastewater from returning to the area after it’s flushed or washed away. If the pressure isn’t consistent or isn’t strong enough, it’s possible that wastewater will be pulled into the clean water lines that bring water into your business. Then, contaminated water could be used at sinks, toilets, and even showers if your business has bathing facilities. Scheduled testing and maintenance is the right choice when you need to make sure wastewater isn’t coming back into the lines.
What Does This Tell You?
A backflow test won’t specifically tell you if your current water is contaminated, but it will tell you if there’s proper pressure at the backflow preventer device. Making sure there’s enough pressure there and that the pressure isn’t fluctuating outside of set parameters is the best way to feel confident in your business’ water quality. You can’t tell by looking at the water or the device whether there’s a problem, especially if it’s an intermittent issue, which is why testing is so valuable.
Does Testing Include Prevention?
The backflow prevention testing services your company uses won’t include preventing wastewater from making its way into clean water lines. However, if the testing finds any kind of problem, you can get it addressed quickly and efficiently. That will protect you and anyone who comes into contact with your business’ water. You might also need to flush the lines or treat the water for a period of time if a problem is found until it’s resolved and you know the water is safe again.
How is Backflow Prevented?
Backflow is prevented through a device that puts one-way pressure on the water that leaves your business. Because it’s being pushed away, it can’t come back up the lines it went down. That prevents it from co-mingling with the clean water in your business’ incoming lines. If you don’t have a preventer device, or it’s not working correctly, wastewater can flow out through the incoming, clean water lines, contaminating them and sending bacteria and other dangers into faucets and fixtures throughout your business.
Working With Pros is the Right Choice
Many locations mandate backflow prevention testing at regular intervals. Even if you don’t have to have it tested, though, it’s still a good idea. Then, you can get the right information about the quality of your water and whether the preventer is doing its job. If your backflow preventer isn’t working right, water quality testing and treatment is the next step, along with getting the preventer repaired to stop the problem and reduce the chances of it happening again in the future.
