Protect Your Family's Health & Your Local Environment
Backflow prevention is a crucial part of Denver’s plumbing and irrigation systems, ensuring that contaminated water doesn’t flow backward into the clean water supply. If you have a sprinkler system maintaining a backflow preventer is vital to protecting your family’s health.
Is your backflow preventer due for an inspection? Southside Plumbing can check it out! Send us a message online or call 303-346-8426 today!
What Is Backflow & Why Does It Matter?
Backflow occurs when water flows in the wrong direction, potentially allowing contaminants like fertilizers, chemicals, or bacteria to enter your water supply. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in water pressure (i.e. a broken main) sucks dirty water into clean pipes.
Maintenance Tips for Denver Residents
Spring & Summer:
✅ Perform a thorough visual inspection before the spring and summer watering seasons. Check for any leaks, even small ones, as they could indicate underlying issues that compromise your backflow preventer's effectiveness. After winter freezes, this is particularly important as water expansion during freezing can cause damage to pipes and valves.
✅ Regularly clean your backflow preventer by removing any debris that could obstruct the valves or interfere with operation. Clean the valves according to manufacturer's instructions to ensure they remain free of dirt and sediment that can accumulate during increased summer usage.
✅ Keep the area around your backflow preventer clear and accessible. This simple maintenance step helps extend your device's lifespan while ensuring easier access for inspection and maintenance during the busy spring and summer months.
Fall & Winter:
Before freezing temperatures hit (usually by October),
✅ Properly drain and relieve pressure from your backflow preventer before freezing temperatures arrive. Contrary to common belief, simply turning the handles off and wrapping the device can actually increase the risk of freeze damage. Instead, you should locate your isolation valve (often in a green box near the meter or at the foot of your backflow) and use it to cut off water supply while properly draining the device.
✅ Use appropriate insulation materials around your backflow preventer. Wrap foam pipe insulation all the way to the actual backflow prevention device itself, making sure to completely cover all exposed components, including valves. This helps prevent water inside the valves from freezing and expanding, which can cause cracks even in brass components.
✅ For specific types of backflow preventers like Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) devices, position the shut-off handles at a 45-degree angle (halfway position) rather than fully open or closed during freezing conditions. This prevents water from being trapped in the shutoffs where it could cause freeze damage.
Protect Your Water, Protect Your Community
Maintaining a properly functioning backflow preventer isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about keeping your water safe for everyone. By performing regular maintenance, you ensure clean, safe drinking water for your home and community.
Need an inspection? Schedule your annual backflow test today to stay compliant and keep your water supply protected!