Backflow Prevention in South Sound
Backflow Prevention and Testing in Olympia
Our Plumbers Promote Sanitary Homes Throughout South Sound
You Don’t Realize the Importance of Protecting Your Water Until It’s Needed
Like most people in Olympia or Tumwater, you probably don’t give your home’s plumbing systems much thought. But it does a lot for you. Foremost among these things is keeping your potable water separate from contaminated, filthy water.
But what happens when the things that prevent this—usually courtesy of your municipal water system—stop working? Are you prepared to deal with sewage gushing into your basement or home? Are you ready to fight with your insurance company to get that covered? If not, it might be time to install a backflow prevention device at your home or business.
Many municipalities in South Sound actually require it before approving a home’s plumbing.
This small investment with a plumber like Tumya can save you thousands in clean-up costs and give you peace of mind that your water’s clean.
What Exactly is Backflow Prevention?
Backflow is what happens when incoming clean water comes in contact with outgoing lines. This results in it mixing with waste bound for the sewer system. It can help to think of it as your sewer backwashing into your water supply. And this phenomenon leads to a bevy of concerns beyond the initial “ick” factor:
- Rapid corrosion of your plumbing systems due to chemicals in the input lines
- Wastewater flooding due to pressure issues
- Increased risk of waterborne illnesses like typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea
As the name suggests, backflow prevention is a service that aims to mitigate the above risks. This is done through devices or air gaps added to your fixtures, pipes, and main lines. Doing so prevents backflow due to both major causes:
- Back-siphonage: Water contamination that occurs when a drop in water pressure creates a vacuum in the system that pulls water backwards into your plumbing system.
- Back-pressure: This type of contamination occurs when the pressure inside your plumbing system is greater than the pressure in the public water system, pushing wastewater backwards into the main.
Due to its impact on public health, much of South Sound has guidelines mandating the use of preventers. To ensure these regulations are being met, Olympia and Tumwater mandates annual backflow testing from a licensed contractor.
Plumbing Fixtures at Highest Risk for Backflow
It’s recommended that you add individualized backflow prevention at particular fixtures throughout your home. This is typically due to the physical or chemical risk these fixtures pose to the potable water supply. These include:
- Sprinkler Systems: Whether used for fire prevention or irrigation, sprinklers are considered at high-risk for backflow.The latter because these systems tend to suck up chemicals like pesticides or fertilizer. The former, meanwhile, is filled with stagnant water that shouldn’t be mixed into the drinking water supply.
- Boilers: These radiant heating systems—common in older homes—often have chemicals in their tanks. The lack of a backflow preventer will allow those chemicals to end up in your water supply.
- Swimming Pools: You feel like you spend half your summer in Olympia dealing with your pool’s chlorine levels. You know what it tastes like when you gulp a mouthful down. Do you want that in your drinking water? This is why all pools with direct water connections must have a backflow prevention device. Hot tubs are also included in this category.
- Dishwashers: These need a high-loop or air gap connection to stop detergent or dishwater from flowing back into your lines. Washing machines are subject to the same requirements.
- Outdoor Taps: This one is especially important if a hose is attached. If they backflow, they can send flood water or chemicals from the hose back into the potable water supply.
- Toilets: For most modern toilets, a fill valve comes standard. This device prevents water from the tank from flowing back into your water line. While we're there, ask about our toilet repair services.
- Water Filters and Softeners: You need these devices for cleaner, healthier drinking water. But you don’t want to put the chemicals into the public water supply. A backflow preventer installation in Olympia prevents that from happening.
Commercial and industrial facilities in South Sound are also at risk of backflow from things like drink machines, janitorial sinks, and catering equipment. If you’re concerned about your home’s backflow changes, feel free to give Tumya a call. We’ll inspect the typical culprits and tell you what steps need to be taken for compliance.
Types of Backflow Prevention Devices
There are a few different ways our plumbers in Olympia design systems to prevent backflow. Typical methods include:
- Air Gaps: This is the simplest way to stop water contamination. It’s often used for bathtubs, dishwashers, and sinks. When installing these systems, you leave a small gap between the outlet and the flood level of a fixture. This little pocket of air ensures the two will never mix.
- Atmospheric Pressure Breaker: A float drops to stop backflow if pressure in connected fixtures drops. This often involves ball-cock valves such as those in your toilet. These will not work for systems under constant pressure.
- Vacuum Breakers: These use a float to open and close a line. When pressure drops, the valve closes. These are best for systems under constant pressure, like lawn sprinklers or sump pumps.
- Double Check Valve Assembly: This type of backflow preventer uses two separate switches in a single device. This lets them tackle both back-siphonage and back-pressure. You often see these on commercial fire sprinkler systems.
- Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies: When it comes to backflow prevention in Olympia, this is the most effective option. It uses two valves with a hydraulic one in between. If backflow occurs, the hydraulic relief opens and drops the contaminated water from the plumbing systems. You rarely see these outside of chemical plants or hospitals.
While you might be tempted to Google “backflow prevention device near me” and pick one up, we advise against it. Without the proper certifications, it can be difficult to know which exact device fits your needs. They vary widely based on use, pipe size, material, local regulations, and hazard level.
What Leads to Backflow Problems in Olympia and Tumwater
Most backflow issues can be traced back to major damage to your main water line. Typically, a sudden or drastic change in pressure is to blame. In our 17 years offering plumbing service, we find one of the following is usually at the root of the problem.
- Open fire hydrants
- Poorly designed pipes
- A large clog that causes excess pressure
- Nearby construction work that crushes or collapses main lines
- Burst or frozen pipes
- Sewer line breaks or blockages
- Faulty backflow prevention devices
Signs You Might Have Backflow
For the most part, the symptoms of a backflow issue in South Sound aren’t all that different from the other signs it’s time to call a plumber. That’s why it’s so important to hire a backflow-licensed plumbing company that understands the phenomenon and how to test for it. Homeowners typically cannot determine if the following are the result of contaminated water or due to something like hard water or pipe degradation:
Discolored or Foul-Smelling Water:
Does your water smell like sewage or come out of the tap as anything other than clear? This is one of the most obvious signs that you have contaminated water. Annual inspections from a certified backflow repair company in Olympia are one of the best ways to prevent this problem.
Low Water Pressure:
Has the water from your faucet or tub dropped to a trickle? A failure in a backflow prevention device can lead to a sudden drop in water pressure. The best way to determine if a broken pipe or preventer is to blame is to schedule an inspection with Tumya.
Strange Noises:
Whistling or gurgling can sometimes be caused by back-siphonage in your pipes and the air pockets they cause. This can also be caused by normal clogs in your drains or pipes.
Visible Leaks:
If you notice water near your irrigation controls or water meter, a failed backflow preventer might be to blame. This might not be the case if the water appears near your water heater, however.
Unexplained Health Symptoms:
Backflow contamination can result in gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms if the water is ingested. This is more likely if multiple people are impacted at once.
If you spot the above signs, don’t wait to give us a call! Putting it off can impact not just you, but the entire municipal water supply. We invite you to call (360) 878-0601 to schedule a full evaluation.
Our Backflow Services in South Sound
Backflow prevention helps protect your drinking water from contamination caused by sewage, chemicals, or other unwanted materials moving the wrong way through your plumbing system. Whether you need a device installed, tested, repaired, or replaced, Tumya can help keep your plumbing system safe and up to code in Olympia and throughout South Sound.
Backflow Device Installation
Are you adding a dishwasher line, new toilet, bidet, or another fixture that requires backflow protection? Our team can fit it with the proper backflow preventer during the installation process. If you find one is missing on a required fixture, our Olympia plumbers can bring it up to code and help protect your home’s water supply.
Backflow Preventer Replacement
Like most plumbing parts, backflow preventers don’t last forever. Valves can fail, wear out, or become damaged over time. When repair isn’t the right option, our plumbers will swap the worn part for a new one. This helps protect your plumbing system and drinking water for years to come.
Backflow Testing
You should have your backflow devices tested annually. Tumya can help with the testing and the required paperwork. Once we’re done, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your device is working properly and helping prevent chemicals, sewage, or other contaminants from entering your drinking water.
Backflow Device Repair
Do you think something is wrong with your backflow preventer? We’ll take a look, diagnose the issue, and make any necessary repairs. We can also winterize your backflow devices in Olympia to help prevent freeze damage when colder weather moves through South Sound.
The Testing Process
If you own a home in South Sound, you’re likely subject to annual backflow testing. Regulations state these yearly checks must be completed by a certified backflow technician like those at . The results will then be submitted for review. Though a yearly test sounds like a lot of work, our Olympia company does our best to keep it simple:
- Water is Shut Off: The first step in the process is to shut off your water supply. This is required to ensure accurate readings during the test.
- Test Cocks Numbered and Bled: Every backflow prevention device, minus air gaps, has a hookup for testing. Our plumber will number them before they get to work. Any water in them will be drained.
- Adapters are Assembled: At this stage, we’ll start assembling what we need for testing. This includes placing adapters on the test cocks.
- Test Kit Hoses are Attached: Now, we hook up the hoses. These allow us to pressurize the device through a connected gauge.
- Relief Valve is Checked: We test to make sure water leaves the relief valve. If water does not exit the relief valve, or if it takes too long to drain, your device has a problem that needs to be fixed.
Once we’ve gathered the results, we’ll go over them with you. We’ll then submit them to the city, so they can make their final determination.
Leave Backflow Issues in South Sound to Tumya
Most people never think about backflow prevention until something goes wrong. But when contaminated water gets into your plumbing system, the damage can be expensive and potentially dangerous.
That’s why Tumya helps homeowners and businesses throughout South Sound stay protected with backflow testing, repair, and installation. Whether you need yearly testing for compliance or want to add protection to a new plumbing fixture, our team will make sure everything is up to code.
Frequently Asked Questions - Olympia Backflow Prevention
What happens if I don’t have backflow prevention?
If your home or business in Olympia needs a backflow prevention device and doesn’t have one, you could end up dealing with fines, failed inspections, or even a temporary water shutoff. But, more importantly, you’re leaving your water supply vulnerable to contamination. It’s worth the hassle to get your annual check done with a backflow-certified company like Tumya.
How much will backflow installation cost me?
Most backflow prevention device installations cost somewhere between $200 and $800. The final price depends on the type of backflow preventer you need, where it’s being installed, and how complex the plumbing work is. Commercial backflow systems—due to their complexity—often cost more.
Does backflow prevention apply to residential properties?
Yes. A lot of homeowners are surprised to learn they may already need a backflow preventer. Sprinkler systems, pools, boilers, bidets, outdoor faucets, and water softeners often require some type of backflow preventer under local plumbing codes in Olympia.
Can I test my own backflow preventers?
Not usually. Most cities require a certified plumber to perform a backflow test. The testing equipment has to be calibrated correctly, and the results need to be submitted to the city or water authority. Tumya handles both the testing and red tape for hundreds of homes throughout South Sound.
How long does a backflow preventer last?
Most backflow preventers last between five and fifteen years, depending on water quality and usage. Like any plumbing component, they can wear out over time. Annual backflow testing helps catch problems early before the device fails.
Will my homeowners' insurance cover backflow damage?
Sometimes, but not always. Many insurance policies only cover backflow damage if you’ve added extra sewer or water backup coverage. Even then, insurance may help with cleanup costs, but not necessarily the plumbing repairs themselves. Installing a backflow prevention device is usually far cheaper than dealing with major water damage in Olympia or Tumwater.
How do I schedule backflow prevention service?
Scheduling service with Tumya is easy. Just call (360) 878-0601, and we’ll set up a time for one of our plumbers to inspect or test your backflow prevention device in Olympia.
How long will testing my backflow device take?
Most residential backflow tests take about 30 minutes to an hour. Larger commercial systems may take a little longer depending on the size of the plumbing system and the types of devices being tested.
Will my water need to be off during backflow testing?
Yes, but only briefly. Your plumber will need to temporarily shut off the water while performing the backflow test to get accurate readings from the device. For most homeowners in Olympia, the interruption is short and pretty minor.
What are back-siphonage and back-pressure?
These are the two most common causes of backflow problems.
Back-pressure: This happens when pressure inside your plumbing system becomes stronger than the pressure from the city water supply. This pushes dirty water into your water line.
Back-siphonage: This occurs when pressure suddenly drops. It creates a vacuum effect. Instead of water flowing out normally, contaminated water can get pulled back into the plumbing system.
A properly installed backflow preventer stops both problems before they contaminate your water supply. Regular backflow testing from Tumya helps make sure the device is still doing its job.