When is the last time you had water backflow testing done in your commercial building in the Joliet, Illinois area? If you’re not sure, you might be inadvertently allowing the clean drinking water that’s coming into your building to come into contact with the dirty water that’s supposed to be leaving it.
To prevent this from happening, a water backflow preventer is required by law to be put into place. You should also hire a water backflow testing company to do what’s called reduced pressure zone annual testing, which is better known as RPZ testing. Doing these things can stop RPZ backflow issues from becoming a major problem.
Before you begin setting up backflow testing services, though, you should get to know more about what backflow is and how water backflow testing works. Keep reading to obtain the information you need to know.
What Is Water Backflow?
You obviously aren’t going to want any of the dirty water that’s created in your commercial building coming into contact with the drinking water in it. But this might happen because of water backflow.
Water backflow occurs when dirty water that is moving away from your commercial building suddenly reverses course and starts coming back towards it. This may happen any time there is a sudden drop in the water pressure in your building.
If, for example, a water main in your area bursts, it can cause your water pressure to drop dramatically. This can lead to water backflow becoming an issue for you. Dirty water can begin to makes its way back into your building and contaminate your drinking water in no time if you aren’t careful.
What Is a Water Backflow Preventer?
The good news for those who operate out of commercial buildings is that they shouldn’t have to worry about water backflow issues having an impact on them. This is because they will need to have water backflow preventers and valves installed.
Water backflow preventers and valves need to be installed at any cross connections within your water system where clean and dirty water could possibly mix following a loss of pressure. They’re relatively simple and straightforward devices, but they’ll work wonders for your building’s water supply.
What Is Water Backflow Testing?
Installing a water backflow preventer is going to be very important for those who work out of commercial buildings in Illinois. But it isn’t enough for them to simply have these devices put in place.
They’ll also need to go through with annual water backflow testing. It’s a type of testing designed to make sure that a water backflow preventer is working the way it should.
If you have a water backflow preventer installed, you may be under the impression that RPZ backflow isn’t going to affect you. But if this device ever fails, it could result in your clean water supply being contaminated by backflow in your building.
Why Is Backflow Testing Important?
Water backflow testing is extremely important for a handful of different reasons. For starters, it’s going to help keep you, your employees, and your customers and neighbors safe when it comes to your building’s water.
If dirty water is able to mix with your building’s clean water supply, it could expose everyone in your building to harmful contaminants. They can cause people to get sick, and in some rare cases, they could even lead to deaths occurring.
You’ll also want to take backflow testing seriously because it’s going to be required by law in many places. Every city and town handles its water backflow testing requirements differently. But you may end up getting into big trouble if you don’t do the necessary RPZ testing.
Additionally, annual water backflow testing will provide you with peace of mind. You’ll like knowing that you have a water backflow preventer that’s doing its job. Plus annual testing is required by law.
How Often Should You Do Backflow Testing?
Generally speaking, you are required to make a water backflow testing appointment at least once each year. Many of the laws that are on the books in Illinois mandate that you have annual RPZ testing done.
But even if you just so happen to work out of a building where annual inspections aren’t required, you should still make it your mission to get them done. It’ll help you avoid the headaches that can come along with experiencing water backflow problems in your building.
Who Should You Hire to Be Your Water Backflow Testing Company?
There are over 100,000 plumbing companies in the country today. This includes tons of different options in Illinois.
Some of these companies will be state certified to set you up with backflow testing services. But that doesn’t mean you should Google “backflow testing near me” and hire the first plumbing company you can find.
Instead, you should do your research on the plumbing companies in the greater Joliet, Illinois area and locate one that has a wealth of experience when it comes to water backflow testing. PDM Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Since 1885 is a great example of a plumbing company you can count on.
Equipped with almost 140 years of experience, PDM knows how to do water backflow testing in the right way. We can also provide other important services like:
- Line location
- Piping identification
- Water analysis
We’ve worked with restaurants, hospitals, laboratories, and so many other commercial establishments and catered to their water backflow testing needs. We can also help homeowners with their residential water backflow concerns.
Contact Us to Make a Backflow Testing Appointment
Now that you know more about water backflow testing and understand its importance, you should make a water backflow testing appointment. PDM Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Since 1885 is here to help.
We can also assist you in installing a brand-new backflow preventer or replacing an old one. We’re your one-stop shop for all your water backflow testing services in greater Joliet, Illinois.
Touch base with us today to schedule an appointment.
