What’s Backflow?

Picture your building having a gag-reflex: backflow. In the water-supply infrastructure of a building, water is normally kept in constant pressure. This keeps the “reflex” away from entering your structure and makes sure it stays in designated local sewage storage. Sometimes, water pressure can decrease, due to things like frozen pipes, water-main bursts, or an abnormally high demand on the system itself. This isn’t good. It can actually cause what’s called backflow contamination, of which there are over 10,000 reported cases of each year; some of which are actually lethal.

What Is Backflow Prevention?

Certified Backflow Prevention Mechanics perform what is technically known as backflow prevention assembly and backflow testing. Backflow testing is basically an annual process required by America’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to keep your water (and everyone else’s water) safe! Phew! Thank goodness!

The backflow prevention assembly and testing actually revolves around the installation and subsequent annual testing of backflow preventers. A backflow preventer is a backflow valve (known technically in plumbing as a check valve). Commercial & Industrial plumbing systems generally require an RP (reduced pressure) device, a double-detector check, or an air gap, for proper backflow certification.

Certified Backflow Testing

You can trust Five Star Plumbing Services’ Certified Backflow Prevention Mechanics to do the job and make sure it gets done right – and legally!

“Personnel who perform backflow prevention inspection, testing and overhaul must be certified (32 hour training class) as a Backflow Prevention Mechanic by the Maryland Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor’s Association.”*

*For more information on certification requirements for backflow inspection or backflow devices (and to see the source for above) please visit the following webpage: http://www.des.umd.edu/compliance/factsheet/backflow.html

We provide backflow testing in the following areas:

Prince George’s County
Montgomery County