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PLUMBING & DRAIN SERVICES IN BARRIE
Drinking water is supposed to travel in one direction through your plumbing system. If that water ever flows in reverse, there is a chance that non-potable water could enter pipes that are meant to carry drinking water. This is called backflow.
Sureflow Plumbing & Drain offers backflow prevention in Barrie. We service commercial, industrial, multi-residential and other types of buildings that may need backflow protection. We can test, install or service backflow-prevention devices on your property.
Backflow prevention is used to prevent water from flowing backwards into your drinking-water system. There are many different types of plumbing systems, and some properties may require more protection than others.
A restaurant will have different cross-connections than a condominium, and a commercial building can have different cross-connections again. Irrigation systems and industrial properties may have their own concerns as well. We can assist with backflow prevention based on what may be needed for your property.
Normally, water pressure causes water to flow from the City’s water system into your property. If the water begins flowing in the opposite direction, that is considered backflow.
Water from another source could then travel backwards toward your drinking-water supply. This can become a concern if that water has come into contact with something you do not want entering potable plumbing.
There can be different reasons why backflow occurs, but it is usually related to a change in pressure. When pressure drops in the potable water line, back-siphonage can occur and water may move backwards through a cross-connection.
There can also be situations where pressure on the non-potable side becomes greater than pressure in the potable system. Exactly how this happens depends on how your plumbing is set up and what equipment is connected to it.
A cross-connection is a point where your potable water system can come into contact with another water source or connected system. The connection may be intentionally installed because equipment needs water to operate, but appropriate protection may still be required.
Cross-connections can be found around many types of equipment, from irrigation systems to boilers and commercial machinery. The important part is preventing water from travelling backwards through that connection toward the drinking-water supply.
The main reason for backflow prevention is to help protect drinking water. If non-potable water flows backwards into the system, it could contain chemicals, bacteria or other contaminants from whatever that water came into contact with.
You may not know the water has become contaminated and could continue using it for everyday purposes. Backflow-prevention equipment is intended to stop that reverse flow before it reaches the potable water supply.
A backflow preventer needs to be installed where it best suits the plumbing system. This could be near the main point of entry or closer to a specific piece of equipment or cross-connection somewhere else on the property.
It all depends on what the system requires. Sureflow offers backflow-prevention installation for applicable residential, commercial and industrial plumbing systems.
You want your backflow-prevention device to work when you need it. Just because a device has been installed does not mean its condition will always remain the same over time.
Testing allows the assembly to be checked to determine whether it is operating the way it is supposed to. Sureflow offers backflow-prevention testing as part of our commercial and industrial plumbing services.
There are several components inside a backflow-prevention device that can wear or fail over time. You may find out about a problem when the device is tested, or you may notice that the system is no longer operating the way it normally does.
Depending on the type of assembly and its condition, repair may be possible. In other situations, replacing the device may make more sense if it is badly worn or no longer appropriate for the application. The system should be inspected before deciding what needs to be done.
Backflow-prevention equipment does not automatically have to be replaced once it reaches a certain age. Its condition and whether it can continue to operate properly matter more than age alone.
If an assembly can no longer be properly repaired, continues to fail testing or is no longer suited for the plumbing application, replacement may be worth considering. We want to understand why the existing equipment is failing and what type of backflow protection the property actually requires.
There are several types of backflow-prevention devices, and they are designed for different applications. Sureflow works with equipment such as air gaps, double-check assemblies, reduced-pressure-principle assemblies and pressure-vacuum breakers.
The backflow preventer should be selected based on your plumbing system and what the application requires. Installing the same type of device you see at another property is not necessarily the right approach because the cross-connections and level of protection may be different. The plumbing should be assessed first.
A reduced pressure principle assembly, often called an RP assembly, is one type of testable backflow-prevention device. It can be used in applications where a higher level of protection is required.
The assembly contains internal components designed to help prevent reverse flow and manage pressure conditions within the device. Whether an RP assembly is appropriate depends on the plumbing system and the type of cross-connection being protected.
A double-check valve assembly contains two check valves that help prevent water from travelling backwards. There are plumbing applications where this type of device may be appropriate.
Like any testable backflow-prevention assembly, the correct choice depends on what the plumbing system requires. The device should be selected for the application rather than simply installed because another building uses one.
Pressure-vacuum breakers are commonly used on certain types of plumbing applications and are designed to help protect against back-siphonage. They are often associated with systems where protection is needed against water being pulled backwards because of pressure changes.
There are installation requirements that need to be considered with this type of device. The plumbing arrangement should be looked at before determining whether a pressure-vacuum breaker is the right option.
There can be many cross-connections inside a commercial building. Mechanical equipment, irrigation systems, boilers, commercial equipment and multiple tenants can all add complexity to the plumbing system.
Knowing how water flows through the property is important when determining what type of protection may be required. Sureflow offers commercial plumbing services that include backflow-preventer testing and service.
Water is used throughout restaurants, from kitchen equipment and sinks to washrooms and cleaning systems. With several pieces of equipment connected to the water supply, cross-connections need to be considered carefully.
If your restaurant already has backflow-prevention devices, they should be appropriate for the equipment and plumbing they are protecting. If new equipment is added, it may also change what type of backflow protection is needed.
Condominium buildings can have much larger plumbing systems than a typical single-family home. Mechanical equipment, irrigation systems and other shared plumbing may create points where backflow prevention needs to be considered.
A problem with a shared system can potentially affect more than one unit. Building managers should know what backflow-prevention devices are installed on the property and whether they require testing, repair or other service.
Industrial buildings can have very complex cross-connections. Water may be used in processes involving machinery, washdown systems, boilers or other equipment connected to the plumbing system.
The material and equipment connected to the water supply can be very different from what you would find in an average residence. This is why backflow prevention in an industrial building should be determined by what is actually happening at the facility.
Irrigation systems can require backflow prevention as well. Water used outdoors can come into contact with soil, fertilizer and other substances that you do not want pulled backwards into the drinking-water system.
The plumbing should be designed to prevent that water from siphoning back into the potable supply. What type of backflow protection is needed depends on how the irrigation system is designed and connected.
Boilers can also create a cross-connection with the potable water system. Water inside the boiler system is not something you want travelling backwards toward the drinking-water supply.
Depending on the system, backflow prevention may need to be installed around the boiler’s water connection. The type of equipment and how the boiler is connected will determine what should be checked.
There may be a backflow-prevention device installed close to the main water service entering the building. This type of protection is sometimes referred to as premise isolation.
The goal is to help prevent cross-connections inside the property from contaminating the public water system. Whether this type of protection is required depends on the property, its plumbing and applicable requirements.
Backflow prevention can also be installed closer to the specific equipment or cross-connection that needs protection. This allows the device to protect the potable system directly at that point.
Some larger buildings may require multiple assemblies because different pieces of equipment create different cross-connections. The entire building does not always rely on one device for every possible connection.
The City of Barrie has a backflow-prevention and cross-connection-control bylaw intended to help protect the public water supply. Properties that present a risk of contaminating the waterworks with non-potable water, wastewater, chemicals or other substances may require backflow-prevention equipment.
The specific requirements can vary depending on the property and the plumbing system involved. Where a testable backflow preventer is required, the City of Barrie requires it to be tested when first installed and annually thereafter, as well as after it is cleaned, repaired, overhauled or relocated. It is better to look at what a specific property requires rather than assume every building follows the same setup.
Each property is different. What is required depends on the plumbing system, what equipment is connected to it and any municipal or code requirements that apply to the building.
A business or industrial facility can have far more equipment connected to its plumbing system than the average home. If you do not know whether your property requires backflow prevention, the system should be evaluated based on the actual plumbing and cross-connections present.
When a backflow preventer fails a test, the first step is figuring out why. A failed test does not automatically mean the entire assembly needs to be replaced.
There may be components inside the assembly that can be serviced or repaired. Other times, the condition of the device may make replacement the better option. After repairs are completed, additional testing may be required to confirm that the assembly is operating correctly.
If your backflow preventer is leaking water, there can be several reasons why. It depends on the type of assembly, the pressure conditions and what is happening inside the device.
Some assemblies can discharge water under certain conditions, so simply seeing water does not always tell you what has failed. If your backflow preventer begins leaking or discharging unexpectedly, have it inspected rather than blocking or capping the device.
If you notice low water pressure after having a backflow preventer installed or repaired, the plumbing system should be investigated. The issue could involve the assembly, a valve or another part of the water-supply system.
Low pressure does not always mean the backflow preventer itself is defective. There are several things throughout a plumbing system that can affect water pressure, so the cause should be identified before replacing equipment.
It is important to remember your backflow-prevention device after it has been installed. The assembly should remain accessible so it can be inspected, maintained and tested when required.
If the device is testable, testing can help determine whether it is still operating properly. Routine attention can also help identify leaks, deterioration or other problems before the device is actually needed to protect the water supply.
Although these terms sound similar, they are not the same thing. A backflow preventer helps protect your drinking-water supply from water flowing backwards through a cross-connection.
A backwater valve is installed in the drainage system and helps prevent sewage from backing up through the building drain. They serve completely different purposes. If your concern is sewage backing up into your basement, you are probably looking for a backwater valve rather than a potable-water backflow preventer.
Cross-connections can exist at residential properties as well. Depending on the plumbing setup, backflow prevention may be needed around irrigation, outdoor plumbing or other connected systems.
Residential properties typically have different plumbing arrangements than commercial or industrial buildings. If you are unsure what type of protection is installed at your home, the system can be checked.
Commercial buildings often contain more cross-connections that need to be considered. Restaurants, retail properties, office buildings, condominiums, warehouses and other facilities can all use water differently.
Sureflow offers commercial plumbing services and backflow-preventer testing. Each building should be evaluated based on how water is used and what equipment is connected to the plumbing system.
A property manager may be responsible for multiple buildings containing several backflow-prevention assemblies. Different devices may protect different areas, mechanical systems or pieces of equipment.
Knowing where those assemblies are located and when they require testing or service can help keep something from being overlooked. If a device begins failing or leaking, it can be inspected to determine whether repair or replacement may be needed.
When new buildings are constructed or an existing building is expanded, new cross-connections can be created. Adding equipment or changing how water is used may also change the type of backflow protection required.
This is why backflow prevention should be considered while designing or renovating the plumbing system rather than after everything has already been installed.
Commercial renovations often involve adding new plumbing. A restaurant may install new kitchen equipment, an industrial building may add machinery or a property may install a new irrigation or mechanical system.
Any time new equipment is connected to the potable water supply, the possibility of backflow should be considered. What type of protection is needed will depend on what is being added and how it connects to the plumbing.
If you need backflow prevention, Sureflow will first want to understand more about your property. Do you currently have a backflow preventer in place? What kind of property is it? Does the device need testing? Is the current assembly leaking? Are you adding new equipment?
Those details help us understand what type of service may be required before work begins.
Preventing water from flowing backwards into the potable water supply is the purpose of backflow prevention. If you have an existing backflow preventer that needs to be tested or serviced, or you are adding new equipment that may require additional protection, Sureflow Plumbing & Drain can help.
We offer backflow-prevention services for applicable residential, commercial and industrial properties in Barrie. Contact Sureflow Plumbing & Drain at 705-503-7996 for backflow-prevention service in Barrie.
Backflow occurs when water flows in the opposite direction from how it is intended to move. This can allow non-potable or contaminated water to travel toward the drinking-water supply.
A cross-connection is a point where the potable water system can come into contact with another water source, piece of equipment or connected plumbing system.
Backflow can occur because of changes in pressure within a plumbing system. Back-siphonage and back pressure are two ways water can begin moving in the wrong direction through a cross-connection.
No. A backflow preventer protects the drinking-water system from reverse flow, while a backwater valve is installed in the drainage system to help prevent sewage from backing up into the building.
Yes. Sureflow offers backflow-preventer testing as part of our commercial and industrial plumbing services.
Yes. Sureflow can install backflow-prevention equipment and provide service for applicable plumbing systems.
Yes. The City of Barrie has requirements involving backflow prevention and cross-connection control. What applies to a specific property depends on the plumbing system, cross-connections and level of contamination risk.
Some commercial properties may require backflow-prevention equipment depending on the type of building, plumbing system, equipment and cross-connections present. Each property should be evaluated individually.
