how can i tell if my home has a backflow device

It’s estimated that 17% of households in New Jersey are at risk for backflow contamination. And if you don’t have a backflow prevention device on your water heater, you could be at risk for this expensive and dangerous problem. If you want to know whether or not your home has a backflow preventer valve, there are a few ways to tell.

Check For Local Plumbing Codes

The first way to tell if your home has a backflow device is to check what your local plumbing codes are. If you’re in a city with municipal plumbing codes, chances are you have a backflow device installed. The Device (which is typically located at the end of your main water line, just before it connects to the rest of your house) prevents water from leaking into neighboring homes or down the line and into the city’s sewer system.

Look For The Main Water Line:

Another easy way to tell if your home has a backflow device is to look for the main water line coming in. If there are two outlets for your house (one for upstairs and one for downstairs), you have a backflow preventer. If the main outlet is only one, it may still be a good idea to check and make sure because some states don’t require backflow devices.

Check Your Water Bill

You may be able to determine whether or not your home has a backflow device if it’s apparent on your water bill. For example, if you notice that there’s an unusually large amount of waste water being billed each month, then it may be because there was cross-contamination of some kind.

Check For A Potable Water Connection

If your pipes are joining the city’s sewage line, then you’re near a backflow preventer. If you have a potable water line coming in (like the one from your kitchen sink or from your laundry room), then you may have a backflow device installed. Other types of residential water lines include those for hot water and for washing machine drains, etc.

Check Your Sump Pump

If there is a pump attached to your basement sump pump system, the chances are that it uses an electric motor and an electric cord as well. If you have a basement, then it is easy to tell if your pumps are backflow devices.

Check For A Backflow Valve

If you have a potable water installation but no backflow device is installed, then you may have a backflow valve. If this is the case, you should immediately contact your plumber and ask them to inspect the valve to see if it is defective or has deteriorated.

Check For A Water Meter

A water meter is located on your main water line and is used to measure the amount of water that you use. It’s easy to tell if your home has a backflow device because the mainline will end in a T, with one part going to your house and the other going directly into a storm drain. If you notice that there’s no meter on your side of the pipe, then look for one on the side of the street (just before your sewer connects with it).

Service Connection

If your home uses a service line, such as living in a townhouse or unincorporated neighborhood, you can check what type of system is used to connect the main water line to the individual homes. The following are ways to identify whether or not your home has been outfitted with a backflow device.

If there’s an L-shaped connector at the service reservoir, then it’s likely that there’s no backflow protection installed. This is generally true of any community where there isn’t an OFA or specific governing body in place.
If there’s an inspection valve in the service line, then your water source could be running through it. Some municipalities have even gone as far as to require the installation of these valves on all new properties. Depending on where you live and whether or not your home was built before such regulation was put in place, it may be possible for you to determine whether or not this is the case by examining your meter and looking for a small circle with a long line attached to it running down the side of it.

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We are a top-rated company that offers backflow preventer testing services in Burlington County, New Jersey. All of our employees are certified and insured, and we pride ourselves on providing quality customer service.

We offer various services, including backflow preventer testing, repairs, and installations. We also provide 24/7 emergency services, so you can count on us to help you in a time of need. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment!