Every year we are asked, why do I need a backflow inspection? Our most common answer is that it is required by law, which is true, but I would like to explain in more detail why backflow prevention is so important to the safety and well being of your family.

In order to explain what backflow testing is, we first must understand what backflow is. Backflow is the flow of water in reverse caused by reduced water pressure or loss of water pressure from the water supplier. In simpler terms, backflow occurs when water flows away from a building rather than towards a building.

If this reverse flow of water should happen to your home water supply and you have an irrigation system, the backflow preventer prevents the chemicals from your yard entering your potable water supply and possibly affecting the health of your family.
The Annual Backflow Inspection that is required by your water purveyor assures that your backflow preventer will protect your home incase a backflow situation occurs.

Each water district has its own regulation for the type of Backflow Preventer required.

Missouri America Water
If you live in Missouri America Water district, (Parkville area), the requirement has recently changed concerning the type of Backflow Preventer required.

The Reverse Pressure preventer that was previously required has been changed to a Double Check.
This means that the unit installed on the outside of your house can now be replaced with a type that can be installed inside or in a pit instead of 12” above grade as was previously required.

If your Reverse Pressure preventer has ever frozen, you know that it is the most expensive single thing to replace on your irrigation system. Placing the double Check inside will guarantee you will never have a frozen backflow preventer in the future.

If you have any questions, please call us at 816-787-9344, or login to your private client hub! 

If you have a backflow preventer that is outside and above ground, there is a good chance of damage to your backflow preventer when we have sudden drops in temperature below freezing. Backflow Preventers are made of cast brass and when they have water inside of them and it freezes, the cast brass will split from the pressure of the freezing water.

We have a great number of customers that have backflows outside and in the wind. Primarily in the Olathe and Parkville areas but also a few in other parts of the city.

If your sprinkler system has this configuration, there are some steps to help prevent freeze damage.

1. Turn off the water to your system.
2. Open back drain valve if available.
3. Run your controller thru a manual cycle.             
4. Open the test cocks on your backflow device. Every approved backflow device has at least two of these. The slot on the top is actually a tiny ball valve and a quarter turn is all it takes. The picture shows it in the closed position.