When you own a rental income property or commercial business building, you’re responsible for maintaining a clean water supply for your tenants, employees, customers, and any other guests on the premises. Unfortunately, backflow issues can compromise your ability to uphold this duty. This is a serious plumbing problem that contaminates the water used for drinking and cooking. As such, you need to know exactly what backflow is and how to prevent it. The guide below offers insight to help your business avoid this dangerous situation.

What to Know About Backflow  

Backflow is when the flow of water within a plumbing system reverses, sucking tainted water from a cross-connected source into the lines reserved for fresh, clean water. This typically occurs when there’s a sudden drop in the water pressure. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including a broken water main or the use of a nearby fire hydrant.

In turn, water can backflow from sources such as toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, swimming pools, and irrigation systems. When contaminated water gets mixed in with drinking water, it can result in serious health complications. 

How to Prevent Backflow Issues

Fortunately, you can avoid backflow by having a plumber install a specialized prevention device. They’ll place a backflow preventer valve on cross-connecting pipes that have a higher risk of contamination.

The valve closes when there’s a significant change in pressure, keeping the water from backing up. Once installed, have these devices inspected annually to make sure they’re still working correctly. 

To ensure your business’s plumbing lines don’t become polluted with non-potable water, turn to Winfrey Plumbing in Grand Island, NE. They’ll test for backflow issues and install the appropriate prevention device to keep clean water flowing through your pipes. Offering nearly 20 years of experience and vast industry knowledge, they can also help maintain your building’s plumbing system and make sure it remains in compliance with local regulations. Call (308) 379-9665 to request an estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their services.