BACKFLOW PREVENTION SERVICES IN NEWMARKET
AND THE GTA
The term backflow refers to the backward flow of wastewater and sewage through your plumbing system. This plumbing issue can damage your home or business, contaminate the public water supply and pose a serious health risk.
To help you keep your property safe and code-compliant, Black Forest Plumbing offers certified backflow prevention and cross-connection services in Newmarket, Barrie, Aurora and throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us today to request a free consultation or schedule an annual maintenance call.
What Causes Backflow?
Two types of backflow can occur when there’s a connection between potable and non-potable water lines: back pressure and back siphonage.
-
Back pressure backflow happens if the pressure of a contaminated water source exceeds the pressure of the clean water supply. It can be caused by almost anything that increases water pressure, including secondary water pumps, temperature increases in boilers, pressure intensifiers and industrial machinery. It can also occur in highrise buildings because of increasing pressures to pump water to the upper floors.
-
Back siphonage backflow occurs if there’s a loss of pressure in the clean water supply. This causes the non-potable water to be sucked backward through your pipes. This is often the result of a watermain break, hydrant flushing operations or firefighting operations.
Various other situations can cause these two types of backflow, including blockages or obstructions in the sewer line, heavy rainfall and flooding, structural defects, mechanical failures and power outages.
Backflow Prevention Services
Backflow can be prevented by creating an open space — also called an air gap — between wastewater pipes and clean-water sources, such as a faucet or dishwasher.
While creating an air gap is a useful way to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into your plumbing system, it may not always be feasible. In such cases, you can opt for a specialized valve that can stop the backward flow of water at vulnerable points in your plumbing system. Since these valves have various moving parts, they must be inspected regularly by a plumber.
You can use several types of devices to prevent backflow as long as the device effectively prevents back siphonage and can withstand back pressure. A trained professional from Black Forest Plumbing can help you choose the device that best fits your property and system design.
Did you recently receive a letter from your city or municipality stating that you must have your backflow system tested and certified? If so, you must promptly have a licensed plumber visit your property and conduct a backflow survey. In Ontario, several cities and municipalities mandate completing and submitting the backflow survey within 30 days of receiving the notice.
A backflow survey ensures your property’s backflow assembly is functioning properly and in accordance with your city or municipality’s by-laws. The team at Black Forest Plumbing can inspect your assembly for any signs of damage, such as abnormal wear and tear, cracks or broken parts. If any damage is found, we can perform the necessary repairs or replacements.
After the inspection, you must submit the survey report to the relevant authorities. If you need assistance with the paperwork, we’d be more than happy to help.
It’s important to stay updated on any changes or updates related to backflow prevention requirements and regulations set forth by your city or municipality. These regulations are in place to prevent the public drinking supply from being polluted with contaminants like fertilizers, pesticides, human waste and harmful chemicals.
What to Do If You Receive a Backflow Notice
Backflow Device Inspection and Testing
Since backflow poses a threat to the public water supply, most municipalities require that residential and commercial buildings be equipped with backflow prevention devices. Annual inspections and maintenance are also mandated in various communities, including Barrie, Richmond Hill, Newmarket and Toronto.
For example, Newmarket and Barrie have made backflow prevention mandatory for industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential properties. These by-laws require property owners to conduct an annual cross-connection survey of their water systems, install and test backflow prevention devices and file test reports regularly.
Fortunately, the Black Forest Plumbing team can conduct your mandatory annual backflow device inspection and file the test report on your behalf to ensure your business remains in compliance with all local by-laws.
It’s important to stay updated on any changes or updates related to backflow prevention requirements and regulations set forth by your city or municipality. These regulations are in place to prevent the public drinking supply from being polluted with contaminants like fertilizers, pesticides, human waste and harmful chemicals.
The Black Forest Plumbing Guarantee
At Black Forest Plumbing, our technicians are trained to install, test and service backflow prevention devices and cross-connections of all sizes for residential and commercial properties. We have more than a decade of experience working in the Greater Toronto Area. Therefore, you can count on our plumbers to follow local sanitation regulations to the letter. We’ll even take care of pulling the necessary permits.
Backflow Preventer Repairs and Installation In Ontario
Black Forest Plumbing is a trusted source for the installation and testing of backflow prevention devices and cross-connections. Our range of plumbing services includes 24/7 emergency repairs and sump pump installation to safeguard against flooding. We proudly serve customers in Newmarket, Barrie, Aurora and elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area. To request a free consultation or more information about local backflow prevention by-laws, contact us today.