Backflow Inspections
Backflow Inspections St. Louis, MO. When you turn on a faucet in St. Louis, you trust that you’re getting clean, safe water from your supply line. Unfortunately though, under certain circumstances, contaminated water can get sucked into your system, sometimes from your own yard. To prevent this from happening, you need an annual backflow inspection from Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis.
Regular backflow inspections guarantee that the water inside your home is safe to use and consume. Call us as soon as possible to schedule an inspection at (314) 450-0342 or contact us online.
Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis: What is Backflow?
Backflow is caused by a pressure difference between a building or home’s water system and the water supply. The difference could be caused by service to the water supply or increased pressure in a commercial system due to heat. Either way, unless a functioning backflow prevention device is in place, water can be forced back into the supply, contaminating nearby homes and businesses. Backflow is a health risk because water brought back into the system may be exposed to chemicals or bacteria, including:
- Fertilizers/pesticides
- Human waste
- Chlorine from pools/spas
- Soap from sinks/dishwashers/showers
Sprinkler backflow inspections are crucial in making sure that the water in your sprinkler system isn’t entering the water that’s used inside your home. Think of it as a one-way gate that allows water from the public water supply to flow into your sprinkler system and home but stops water if and when it ever tries to flow backwards into the main water supply.
Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis relies on the following backflow preventers, also called air gaps, for our customers in the St. Louis area:
Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis: What Causes Backflow Situations?
Water naturally wants to move from an area with high pressure to an area of low pressure. The issue of back-siphonage or backflow may result if:
- The water pressure in the line is reduced
- If there is a broken water line
- If a large amount of water is being used, like the amount needed for fighting fires
- If the sprinkler system is not installed properly, causing back-pressure from pump
The backflow inspection experts at Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis specialize in eliminating all causes of backflow. Give us a call at (314) 450-0342 or contact us.
Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis: When Do I Need Backflow Inspections?
Just like any other system connected to your water line, backflow preventers will need to be periodically inspected to ensure they are safe. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as well as a St. Louis County ordinance, requires that all irrigation systems pass annual backflow inspections.
It may seem like a lot of work, but with Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis, it doesn’t have to be. We have over 30 years of experience in the backflow inspections and are aware of all municipal requirements in the St. Louis area. We’ll follow all applicable guidelines and, as an example, file the paperwork.
In addition to our top-of-the-line backflow inspections for our St. Louis neighbors, Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis provides the following lawn care services:
Call us today at (314) 450-0342 or contact us.
Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis: How Are Backflow Inspections Done?
A backflow preventer keeps your drinking water and your irrigation water separate. Our licensed St. Louis backflow inspectors can check your backflow preventer to make sure that your water supply remains safe. To test your system, the water supply is turned off and then the plumbing system and valves are checked to make sure the water is moving as it should. If the relief valve opens, the system may need maintenance. After the water direction is checked, the pressure of the system will then be measured. If the water pressure rises as the water flows backwards and seems to be struggling, this could mean that the valve needs to be replaced. Having contaminants and bacteria in your drinking water supply can cause serious illnesses and in some cases can even lead to life-threatening diseases.
Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis: Why is a Backflow Preventer Required on a Lawn Sprinkler System?
When your system isn't operating at full capacity, because of a leak, fire hydrant use, or hydrant flushing etc, this can cause an imbalance in your system. When this happens, water from your outside system can back-up into your drinking water. The next time you or a neighbor turns on a faucet for a drink of water, the water received could contain contaminants. How else can this happen? Even minor fluctuations in the city water supply (such as another neighborhood using a large amount of water) can cause imbalances that can introduce contaminants into your water supply.
What Are the Types of Backflow Preventers?
We already mentioned the brands we rely on in backflow preventers, but the type that is used is determined by what kind of backflow situation you need to prevent in your area.
Three of the most common backflow preventers are:
- Double Check Valves
- Reduced Pressure Zone Devices
- Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers
Double check valves are typically found in lawn sprinklers and fire sprinklers. There is a ball valve on each end of this device that will prevent backflow.
Reduced pressure zone devices are commonly used in areas that a city, county or municipality might deem as having “hazardous” backflow. Each municipality has a different idea of what is hazardous, so it can vary. This device includes four valves such as an inlet shutoff valve, two spring-loaded check valves, and an outlet shutoff valve.
Atmospheric vacuum breakers have a valve on the inside of the device that prevents backflow. These systems are based on pressure and are placed 6 inches from where the downstream is for your home.
Selecting the right backflow preventer for your St. Louis home can be a difficult choice. Our licensed and certified backflow inspections in St. Louis can help you make the correct decision for your home and irrigation system. Our backflow inspectors can quickly and efficiently install your backflow preventer to ensure your system is safe and up-to-date.
Backflow Inspections | Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis
As licensed backflow inspectors, we have the experience and equipment needed to do safe and efficient backflow testing and installation. Backflow preventer problems or issues can cause serious concerns for your water supply, and that's why we respond quickly to all problems and always provide professional and reliable service. If you are in St. Louis and need a backflow inspection, Lawn Sprinklers of St. Louis can help.
As a family-owned and operated business, nothing is more important to us than the safety and quality of the work we provide to our St. Louis-area neighbors. Trust us with all of your lawn care, landscaping, and outdoor lighting needs – whether it’s routine maintenance, annual backflow inspections, new installations, or as you prepare to sell your home. We are here for you.
Call us today at (314) 450-0342 or contact us online.