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What’s So Important About Backflow Testing?

The Basics of Backflow

In most places (including Annapolis), commercial buildings and multi-family homes must have backflow prevention devices. These devices must also undergo regular testing by professional plumbers who are authorized to do it. This is a requirement because the dangers of backflow are so great that they can affect the water supply for hundreds or thousands of people if a backflow preventer fails.

But it’s not just commercial and apartment buildings that need backflow preventers. Homes with sprinkler systems also need this maintenance and must be tested regularly. This article will explain the dangers of backflow and how backflow testing helps to prevent this potentially disastrous situation.

Why Is Backflow Dangerous?

Backflow happens when wastewater flows backward into a plumbing system, contaminating the clean water in that system. This usually happens because of a sudden change in pressure, such as a broken water main or firefighters accessing the municipal plumbing system to fight a fire nearby.

If wastewater is allowed to flow back into a system, contaminating the clean water, it can threaten the health of anyone who comes into contact with that contaminated water. Ensuring the contamination is dealt with effectively is extremely time-consuming and costly. This is why backflow is so dangerous — and why backflow testing is so important.

What Backflow Testing Entails

Backflow preventers need to be tested regularly to ensure they function properly. Since a single faulty backflow preventer can have such wide-ranging consequences, most local ordinances require that they’re tested annually. However, some localities require less frequent testing than this. It’s best to check local laws to see how often these devices must be tested.

A professional plumber performs the testing process itself, and it is a relatively quick process. The plumber will test the device to ensure it will act as needed during sudden pressure changes. The specifics of these tests will depend on the type of backflow prevention device. Once signed off by a certified backflow testing plumber, the device will be good to use until the next test is required.

The Critical Importance of Backflow Testing

Water contamination can happen in several ways. Most people think of wastewater when they think of possible contamination. However, pesticides and dangerous chemicals can also work into the water supply if backflow testing isn’t done regularly. The water may be shut off in many places if the backflow testing isn’t done on time.

For homes, backflow testing helps ensure that contaminated water from the sprinkler system doesn’t get into the home’s plumbing. Irrigation systems are often more susceptible to wear and tear from the elements, tree roots, or breakage during landscaping or yard work. If the backflow preventer isn’t tested regularly, it could fail and allow dirty water into the system, threatening the health of those who live in the house.

So backflow testing is important whether it’s a commercial building, an apartment building, or a single-family home with a sprinkler system. It can help ensure drinking water stays clean, preventing a public health emergency.

About Heidler, Inc.

The friendly professionals at Heidler, Inc. have been serving Annapolis, MD, with dedication and honor since 1947! As a family-owned-and-operated business, they pride themselves on expert workmanship and efficient service. They also provide flat-rate pricing, so there are no surprises! Contact them today for backflow testing in Annapolis, MD.

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How Important Is Backflow Testing?

All Your Questions About Backflow Testing Answered

Owning a home is amazing. It’s a big part of the American Dream, and it’s a point of pride for anyone who has worked hard to keep their home looking good and its systems operating properly. But for many homeowners, there are things that may come as a surprise. Every homeowner knows the importance of keeping the plumbing system healthy, but not every homeowner is familiar with why this entails backflow testing. They may not even know what backflow testing is and why it’s important.

Luckily, this article will go over these and other questions about the importance of backflow testing.

What Does Backflow Mean?

Backflow is a term for a type of flooding that can happen to a plumbing system that causes water that’s flowing out of the home to flow back into it. As most homeowners can guess, the water that’s flowing out of the home is doing so for a reason: because it’s dirty. So when dirty water is allowed to flow back into the home, it can contaminate the entire plumbing system, making incoming water dangerous.

Backflow happens when there’s a sudden and drastic change in water pressure in the plumbing system. This is often caused by a break in the main water line or a fire hydrant that has been opened nearby. Too much rain can actually cause backflow too.

Why Is Certification Required?

Backflow certification is required because backflow is so dangerous. It can be sneaky because it’s not always apparent that backflow has even occurred. This means that homeowners could be drinking and bathing in contaminated water, not realizing it until it’s too late. This is why many areas require backflow certification by law.

In fact, if backflow happens, it can end up contaminating the water supply for multiple houses or even an entire area. And fixing this issue – decontaminating all that water and those systems – is a costly and involved process. And it’s not just sewage that can cause contamination with backflow. Other dangerous substances, such as herbicides, fertilizer, and pesticides, can also contaminate clean water through backflow. This is why backflow testing and certification are incredibly important.

Who Can Perform Backflow Testing and Certification?

Backflow preventers can’t be tested and certified by just anyone. Even those hand DIY homeowners can’t do their own testing and certification. These important devices need to be tested by a certified plumbing professional. These backflow prevention devices don’t often get used, so it’s somewhat common for them to malfunction. This is why it’s so important to have a professional check the device.

Those homeowners that aren’t sure whether they’ve had their backflow device tested recently should call their local professional plumber to schedule a test. Knowing that the backflow preventer is working can give homeowners confidence in the cleanliness of their water supply and the safety of their family from dangerous backflow.

About Heidler, Inc.

The friendly folks at Heidler, Inc. have been serving Annapolis, MD since 1947. They offer local expertise and flat-rate pricing on every job. They’re a family-owned and operated company that’s happy to provide emergency service any time of day. Call them today for backflow testing in Annapolis, MD.

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3 Reasons Why Whole-Home Water Filtration Is So Important

This Is Why Whole-Home Water Filtration Is So Important

Tap water might be considered safe to drink, but that still doesn’t mean it is the cleanest it can be. In fact, tap water has several different chemicals in it. These chemicals allow the water to be drinkable for humans. However, these chemicals still aren’t the best thing to circulate the body, especially when the body is mostly made up of water! That is one of the main reasons why it is so important to have a whole-home water filtration system. These systems work consistently to eliminate all chemicals and other harmful pollutants from the water. By doing this, the water is healthier to drink and reduces hard spots left behind on dishes.

Below are the three main reasons why having a whole-home water filtration system is so important. Continue reading to learn more.

The Smell and Taste of Water Changes for the Better

Unless homeowners have well water, people typically think their tap water tastes pretty good. However, homeowners can’t even begin to know what good water tastes and even smells like until they try tap water from a whole-home water filtration system. When the chemicals and other things are removed from the water, all the homeowner is left with is the water itself. Anyone that doesn’t have a whole-home water filtration system probably doesn’t know what pure water tastes like.

That said, some people might say the water tastes “funny” or “weird” after they have a whole-home water filtration system installed. As mentioned, this is because they are so used to drinking chemicals and potentially harmful bacteria most of their lives. It’s a lot to think about, honestly. The fact that people are so used to drinking chemicals. Still, after a few days, people tend to get used to the water and prefer it over other tap water.

Once homeowners are used to clean, pure water, they can’t stand the taste of unfiltered water.

Removes Chemicals From the Water

A whole-home water filtration system removes all impurities from the water, including the chemicals used to make the water safe enough for humans to drink in the first place.

Below is a list of chemicals and impurities that whole-home filtration systems work to remove:

Lead
Chlorine
Zinc
Hydrogen Sulfide

It might seem strange that all of these chemical compounds are needed to make tap water clean enough for humans to drink, but those are the facts. That is why it is so imperative to have a whole-home water filtration system installed. It is the only way to ensure that the water is chemical-free and free from impurities.

Protects Against Other Pollutants

Because the water needs to be treated with so many chemicals, it is also safe to assume that sometimes, harmful bacteria make it past some of these chemicals. It isn’t often that pollutants like harmful bacteria are found in drinking water, but it also isn’t worth the risk of getting sick!

It is best just to invest in a whole-home water filtration system to be on the safe side. Homeowners are likely to see improvements in their overall health and energy levels as well. Clean water makes a world of difference on the human body!

Heidler, Inc. Knows What Works

Annapolis homeowners can discover what it’s like to finally have a trustworthy plumber when they call the experts at Heidler, Inc. They are the family-owned and operated plumbing professionals who have provided excellent service since 1947. They even offer emergency assistance when needed. Give Heidler, Inc. a call today to learn more about their water filtration service in Annapolis.