In all type of applications from irrigation systems to drinking water supplies to the home, preventing water from flowing in the wrong direction through the system is critical. The water that runs from the main lines and feeds into the lines going into the home has a specific level of purity that is required to meet specific standards.
However, lines in a home, in an irrigation system or even in an industrial type of application may contain bacteria, chemicals or other types of contaminants. They can enter the system through cracked pipes, siphoning from the water surrounding the system and pulling water into the lines.
To prevent this from occurring, it is essential to install a PVC backflow preventer. As more home and commercial plumbing are completed with PVC pipe, the use of these backflow preventers ensures that they will integrate with the current plumbing system to provide the protection to the main water system and source.
Installation
The typical location of a PVC backflow preventer will be at key areas in the plumbing or irrigation system. The most common option is where the main line water supply is routed into your home through the smaller branch line pipe. They are also typically installed whenever the water may be exposed to chemicals and contaminants.
When installed, the PVC backflow preventer will not restrict the movement of water from the main to the branch line and into the home or commercial building. However, should any backflow develop the increasing pressure on the outlet side of the backflow preventer, it will close the system, preventing potentially contaminated water from seeping or flowing backward through the system.
For water supplies, there are specific requirements for all backflow preventers in use. The same is true when they are used in commercial water systems, and most regulations require the use of a double check, reduced pressure device.
