Backflow Prevention Littleton

Under a new law in Colorado, property owners must have assemblies that prevent backflow from contaminating the public water supply tested every year. Backflow is a condition that occurs when water flows in the opposite direction from normal. It can happen when water pressure drops due to a main break or when too many people are if using water at the same time, like in an emergency. Backflow can also create a potentially serious public health hazard, and so the old law that required property owners to test their assemblies at least every other year has been updated.

In Littleton, the expense required to install a backflow valve can differ widely depending on a few factors. These include the particulars of the type of valve, the not-so-simple installation, and the local going rate for labor. A valve that simply does what a valve is supposed to do might set you back anywhere from $300 to $1,000. You're looking at something more ambitious? Could be thousands more. Your best bet is to call in a local plumbing pro for a sit-down and some estimates.

If you want to know whether your Littleton house has a backflow preventer, the best first step is to look around the main water shut-off valve. This is usually in the basement, garage, or utility room, and it's relatively easy to get to. The backflow preventer, if there is one, will be close by and should be recognizable as a valve assembly. It will have test ports, for one thing, and it will have some sort of cover that makes it clear it's an assembly with, shall we say, some serious plumbing expertise behind it. If you don't see one and you still want to know, the next best option is to call in a pro.

The Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) assembly is usually the most dependable backflow preventer. It offers the greatest protection against water contamination and maintains a consistent water pressure that allows water to flow in the right direction—forward, not backward—even when the plumbing system is under stress. An RPZ. backflow preventer assembly has three main parts. Two are check valves that prevent water from flowing backward into the drinking water system. The third part is a pressure relief valve that ensures there is no pressure buildup in the plumbing system that could cause water to flow the wrong way.

In Littleton, the annual testing of backflow preventers is mandatory. It ensures that these devices work as intended, safeguarding our drinking water from contamination. If you think about it, these testing procedures serve a very similar function to a well-child checkup at the doctor's office.

A plumbing law passed in Colorado in 2021 that took effect in 2023 updated and clarified regulations concerning backflow prevention—an important yet often overlooked aspect of plumbing that directly impacts water safety and public health. The new law mandates that all new construction and major plumbing renovations install backflow assemblies. It also specifies that these assemblies be tested and maintained annually. This was a big step for the state, as previous plumbing regulations had been in place for decades and didn't cover backflow prevention in an effective way.

Backflow preventers typically last from 5 to 15 years, depending on the quality of the device, the condition of the water, and the maintenance it receives. Regular inspections and maintenance can significantly prolong that lifespan.

To see if your backflow preventer is acting up, check for obvious symptoms. These include reduced water pressure, leaks or drips around the preventer, and unusual noises—hissing or gurgling, for instance—that might suggest its internal workings are not working as they should. More problematic signs are unexplained discoloration or odd tastes in your drinking water, clogs, or slow drainage in your system. Barring these, have a professional test and inspect the thing anyway just to be on the safe side.

In Littleton, the public water supply needs protection, and a backflow preventer is a necessary safeguard against contamination. Backflow can happen when water pressure in the system drops, and there's no way to ensure that causes and effects will align to keep contaminants out except to build in a fail-safe mechanism. Local regulations in many places require backflow preventers in many kinds of buildings for just this reason. They're good public health policy, and I think they're a good private policy, too, because I hope no one is poisoning my drinking water.

In a Littleton home, a kitchen faucet generally doesn't need a backflow preventer. "If you have a clean water line, there's no reason to have a device that prevents water from going backward," says the Littleton public health director, Greg Nielson. "But if you have a situation where the water line could become contaminated, then you need a device that ensures the water goes one way only." In those situations, backflow prevention is more commonly required on irrigation systems, swimming pools, or other plumbing cross-connections.