Keep Your Backflow Preventer Problem Free – 4 Common Issues to Watch Out For

Backflow preventer valves are essential to keeping our drinking water safe from contamination. Although they can be easy to install and help reduce the risk of dangerous contamination, there are a few common problems that can arise from backflow problems. Knowing what to watch out for and how to address them, can help ensure your drinking water stays safe and healthy.

One of the most common backflow preventer problems is trapped air. This can occur when the pressure of the water main is too low, or if the backflow valve is leaking. Trapped air can prevent the valve from being able to close, which can lead to untreated water and contaminants entering the system. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to check your backflow valve regularly and make sure it is functioning properly. If you stumble across a faulty valve or one that has become contaminated, replacing it should be a priority.

Clogged valves can also be a problem. This is usually caused by the buildup of sediment and other particles, which can slowly block the valve and stop it from working correctly. To help prevent clogging, it’s important to regularly inspect your backflow valve and clear out any dirt or debris that may have built up, as well as having it professionally serviced each year.

The failure of the meter can also cause backflow preventer problems. The meter helps to measure the pressure levels in the system, so if it stops working then the backflow problems will not be able to be detected. Having your meter regularly checked and tested by a professional can help prevent this from happening.

Finally, inaccurate readings can also cause problems. This is usually due to incorrect installation or calibration of the backflow preventer, which can lead to incorrect readings and incorrect pressure levels. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to make sure the backflow preventer is properly installed and that it is being calibrated on a regular basis.

In order to protect the health of drinking water, backflow preventer valves are essential. Knowing what to watch out for and how to address backflow preventer problems are keys to helping to ensure that our drinking water remains free of contamination. Regularly inspecting the valve and having it serviced by a professional each year can help to reduce the risk of problems and keep our water supply safe and healthy.