7 Important Facts About Backflow Preventers

1. Backflow can contaminate your drinking water. Backflow happens when water flows in the wrong direction, potentially allowing dirty or contaminated water to enter your clean water supply. This can happen due to changes in pressure in your plumbing system, and it’s more common than most people think.

2. Your garden hose is a common source of backflow. Believe it or not, simply leaving your hose submerged in a pool, bucket, or chemical sprayer can lead to backflow. If pressure drops in your pipes, the water from that container can siphon backward into your drinking water.

3. Backflow preventers protect against serious health risks. Without a working backflow preventer, harmful contaminants like fertilizers, bacteria, pesticides, or even sewage can enter your home’s water system. That’s why these devices are a must in many plumbing setups.

4. Most municipalities require backflow preventers by law. If you have an irrigation system, fire sprinkler, or commercial property, your town likely requires you to have a backflow preventer installed and tested annually by a certified technician.

5. These devices work like one-way valves. A backflow preventer allows water to flow in only one direction. If anything tries to flow backward (i.e., contaminated water), it automatically shuts it down, protecting your clean water supply.

6. Annual testing is crucial. Even if you already have a backflow preventer, it must be inspected and tested every year. Over time, wear and tear or internal buildup can cause it to fail, and you wouldn’t know until it’s too late.

7. Most homeowners don’t even know they have one.

Backflow preventers are often installed near water meters, outdoor irrigation systems, or inside commercial plumbing setups. If you're unsure whether you have one or if it’s due for testing, it's a good idea to have a licensed plumber inspect it.