Water is only supposed to flow one way, but when your system fails, backflow can happen. Backflow is essentially a plumbing fault that sees contaminated water re-entering the clean water supply. This is very unhygienic, and can lead to a serious illness if the contaminated water is consumed. When dealing with backflow, prevention is always better than cure, so here we’ve put together some tips to keep your water supply clean and drinkable!
Install a backflow prevention device
If the water pressure in your mains supply drops lower than the pressure in your pipes then water can end up travelling in the wrong direction. A backflow prevention device such as a non-return valve will prevent this by restricting water to a single direction, so even if the water pressure drops in your mains supply, contaminated water won’t be able to travel back up the pipes.
Check outside taps
Your garden taps are often used in conjunction with a hosepipe, and when a hose is attached, there is an increased risk of backflow. When you use a regular bathroom or kitchen tap, the water falls freely through the air into the sink, making it impossible for water to flow the wrong way, but as a hosepipe restricts the free space for water to flow, and can be used sideways or raised, the water can end up running back on itself. For that reason, it is even more important to check that you have a working backflow prevention system installed in these taps.
Be careful with your shower head
Letting your shower head lie in the bottom of the bathtub when there is standing water present can allow water to flow back up the system, contaminating your water supply. To prevent this, simply keep the shower head in its holder when you are through with using it. This will prevent it from lying in standing water and reduce the risk of you accidentally dropping the shower head into contaminated water.
Keep up with your maintenance
If you don’t keep your pipes and drainage in good condition, backflow is all the more likely to occur. A broken water main or a failure of a municipal pumping station are common causes of backflow; keeping these systems in good working condition, and calling out a professional wastewater team to inspect for any signs of damage or repair potential faults, will reduce the risk of backflow considerably. If it’s been awhile since your system was checked over, it may be time to pick up the phone now!
For fast and reliable drainage solutions across the UK, you can rely on the services of Wildon UK. We have 20 years’ experience in dealing with all aspects of the waste industry, with expertise in everything from large, industrial sewage treatment pumps to small, domestic drainage problems. Whatever your requirement, we’ll have the skillset to help. If you require our services, don’t hesitate to get in contact today and we’ll be happy to lend a helping hand.
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