Backflow prevention systems are devices installed on pipes to prevent water from backing up into the main water supply. They are commonly used in residential plumbing systems, particularly when a home sprinkler system crosses with drinking water. A backflow preventer is a device that attaches to water supply pipes and keeps the water flowing in one direction only. It can also consist of a combination of valves that connect to the main water line.
Backflow preventers are required by law to prevent contaminants from getting into a drinkable water supply. There are several types of backflow preventers to choose from, with the primary factor being the presence of backflow. They can be installed on the interior or exterior of a home to protect against flooding if the main sewer system backs up.
Plumbers typically install backwater valves indoors, but there are some cases where an outdoor installation is more practical. The best practice for the location of the backflow prevention assembly is outside the building, above ground, and in an ASSE 1060 enclosure.
In Ohio, there are two main setups for installing backflow preventers: indoors and outdoors. Indoor installations can be potentially hazardous to the surrounding structure and nearby occupants. An outside reduced pressure backflow assembly should be installed just after the water meter on private property.
A backflow preventer is designed to keep water inside fire-protection and other water-based systems on a property, ensuring it only flows in one direction. To prevent this from happening, the house’s external tap should be fitted with a backflow prevention device.
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Hoping someone can answer this. I’m a home inspector and I never pass up the opportunity to learn something new. I have always avoided hose bibs with vacuum breakers when I wanted to test the home’s water pressure because it seemed to me that it would give a falsely high water pressure reading. I wasn’t sure so I just test elsewhere. But now I’m at the point where I really would like the answer to that if someone could tell me. Does a vacuum breaker affect the water pressure reading if you attach the water pressure meter to a hose bib that has one?
I’m a home inspector but I hate that inspections are required in some areas. People should be able to make a choice if they want to pay for that. It theoretically makes me money but I think it’s wrong in a free country. They are requiring sellers in PA to get sewer lateral inspections, chimney inspections, as well as U&O inspections prior to sale. Thats just nuts to me. Too much government involved in private transactions. Ok, I’m done with my rant. Thanks for the articles Reuben!
Ok so I understand what it does but why would I need one? If by some strange chance contaminated water came back up my hose into the spigot wouldn’t it just sit in that pipe until the next time I use the hose? It’s not like it’s going to circulate through out the whole house. I’m confused. Maybe I’m missing something but these things seem like something you would never need. They were on the exterior hose spigots when I bought my house but I have since removed them because I didn’t know what they were. Now I know what they are but I really don’t see a need for them. Can anyone with some knowledge on these things please let me know why I would need them?
So if my town tells me that sewers surge often due to heavy rain and it comes up through my basement shower and toilet… would a check valve be helpful so it doesn’t happen? I have a wheel shut off that I should use when it heavy rains but then I cannot run anything like washing machine, dishwasher or flush toilets. Any suggestions?
I have read that these can “cause more trouble than they fix,” the opinion of a few plumbers online. But most of the info I see about them is positive. So I am just looking for more opinions here. I don’t fully understand why some believe these can cause more issues. Can anyone clarify this? Thank you so much
Can you answer a question please? I had a backvalve installed but not a clean out port. Two plumbers have told me that the clean out port is not necessary as the backvalve unit pulls out to clean, but the village inspector refuses to approve of the work saying that the plastic will scar and be rendered inoperable. I am not sure what to do as the original plumber won’t talk to the Village. Is there a code or something that requires a port be installed with a backvalve? Thanks for any insight you can offer.