Backflow Preventers | How They Keep SC Residents Safe

Did you know that a simple device in your plumbing system could be the key to protecting your family’s drinking water? Though often overlooked, backflow preventers play a vital role in maintaining water safety for communities across South Carolina.

When properly installed and tested, these devices not only safeguard your drinking water but also help protect your plumbing system and keep you in compliance with local regulations. Let’s take a closer look at backflow preventers and discover why they’re such an essential part of everyday life.

What Are Backflow Preventers?

Backflow Preventers are devices used to stop contaminated water from flowing back into clean water. Typically, they can be found near a home’s water meter or main water shut-off valve. When dirty water is transported from our homes to our city or county’s water mains, it typically flows in one direction. 

However, if the water main’s pressure drops, water may flow back toward the home, causing clean water to be contaminated. To prevent backflow from occurring, these devices ensure that the dirty water is not allowed to return, keeping it separated from clean drinking sources. 

How Backflow Preventers Keep You Safe

Backflow preventers protect our water supply from a variety of dangerous substances that could easily make their way into our homes through cross-connections or changes in water pressure. If these contaminants are ingested, they can cause serious illness and, in extreme cases, even death. 

That’s why backflow prevention is not just a plumbing concern – it’s a public health necessity. Here’s what these devices help keep out of your drinking water:

• Chemicals – Can cause gastrointestinal issues, neurological damage and even cancer if exposed over a prolonged period. 
• Fertilizers – Can be poisonous if consumed. Burns the skin if exposed to large quantities. 
• Bacteria – Bacteria like E. Coli can cause severe stomach problems while Legionella bacteria can cause a serious lung infection (also known as Legionnaire’s disease.)
• Sewage – Can cause gastrointestinal issues and spread hepatitis A.

Preventing Damage to Pipes

Backflow preventers not only protect you and your family but your home as well. When backflow occurs, the returning water may be pressurized. When water suddenly rushes back through your pipes at a high rate, it can cause significant damage to your pipes. 

Helps Homeowners Save Money

Backflow preventers can save homeowners money by lowering the likelihood of damage. These devices reduce the risk of corrosion, blockages and chemical reactions from occurring within your pipes. By stopping the damage before it starts, backflow preventers keep your plumbing safe and ensure its longevity, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and unexpected service calls.

Why Routine Testing and Maintenance Is Important

Without a properly functioning backflow preventer, homeowners and their family members could be at risk of using contaminated water. Drinking, showering or cooking with contaminated water could pose serious health risks, especially for people with compromised immune systems. 

Additionally, many local municipalities in South Carolina have codes and regulations requiring backflow preventers to be regularly tested. Because contaminated water presents such serious health concerns, backflow preventers must be functioning correctly at all times. If homeowners fail to meet these requirements, they may face fines, have their water disconnected or be held liable if sickness results.

Can I Test My Backflow Preventer Myself?

No, tests must be done by a certified tester. Backflow preventers must be tested using specific procedures and equipment that are not readily available to homeowners. Additionally, certified professionals ensure the test results are properly documented and accepted by local agencies.

Plus, having a trained expert inspecting and testing your backflow preventer may uncover underlying issues that would have been missed otherwise, saving homeowners time, money and hassle in the long run.

Need Your Backflow Preventer Tested? Fortner Has Got You Covered!

Looking for certified backflow preventer testers? Our team at Fortner has got you covered! Located in Anderson, we proudly serve several communities in South Carolina including Greenville, Pendleton and Mauldin. 

With years of experience and a commitment to quality service, we ensure your plumbing systems stay safe, compliant, and efficient. For more information about our testing services, give us a call at 864-209-948. To learn about our other services including drain cleaning and sewer line inspections, visit our website by clicking the link here.