Backflow Prevention is a critical measure for homeowners with a basement.

Carter Plumbing will provide a Certified Backflow Prevention Specialist as a new service for Homeowner’s interested in this protection beginning November 4, 2013.  Most Homeowner’s do not know they alone are Responsible for the safety of their Domestic Water System.

Carter’s Plumbing has taken the necessary steps to provide their customers with a certified backflow prevention expert on their team.  Kelson Carter is training this week to receive his certification in backflow prevention.  This certification requires 40 hours of classroom training and testing in order to be certified.

Backflow Prevention:

In water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow from the faucet tap, shower, and tub.  In the event pressure fails or is reduced, as may happen if a water main bursts, pipes freeze or there is unexpectedly high demand on the water system, it’s this reduced pressure in the pipe that allows contaminated water from the ground, from storage or from other sources to be drawn up into the system.  Backflow is an undesirable reversal of the flow of water or mixtures of water and other undesirable substances from any source (such as stagnant water, industrial fluids, gasses, or any toxic substance other than the intended potable water) into the pipes of the potable water system.

The need for cross-connection control exists in both industrial and residential premises. Backflow prevention devices provide public safety by preventing potable water contamination in such critical areas as municipal water systems, food processing plants, medical and dental water supplies, and other industrial applications. The Safe Drinking Water Act was signed into law in 1974 and placed the responsibility of local governments and water authorities for drinking water protection.

Why Would a Homeowner want a Backflow Preventer Device?

There are many instances of cross-connection hazard. To explain the risk involved, imagine that one end of a garden hose is attached to a home’s water system and the other end is placed down into a bucket of herbicide (toxic). At the same time an abrupt loss of water occurs in the main water line serving a home (such as a water main break or large volumes of water released from a local fire hydrant). The pressure drop causes a reverse flow in the water line and in a system with no backflow prevention; insecticide from the bucket is sucked into a home’s drinking water and potentially into the main water line serving an entire community.

However, if the spigot a garden hose is connected by is equipped with a hose bib device, the reverse flow would cause the valve in the hose bib to engage and stop the backflow at the spigot. If there isn’t a hose bib or if it is not operating properly, the backflow prevention assembly installed between a home and the main water line would engage and prevent the herbicide from contaminating the main water line.

What is required to become certified in Backflow Prevention?

To become a Certified Backflow Tester, an individual must take and pass a practical examination every two years. They are required to demonstrate their ability to test double check valve assemblies, test reduced pressure principle backflow prevention devices, inspect pressure type vacuum breakers, and evaluate spill resistant pressure vacuum breakers. Upon successful completion of the examination, the certification is valid for a two year period. To qualify for the examination, an applicant must have the necessary knowledge to test backflow prevention devices and either be employed by a Licensed Plumbing Contractor in the state of Indiana or possess a State Contractor’s License.  Kelson Carter is a Licensed Plumbing Contractor and is working in the family business, Carter’s My Plumber.

Information about Carter’s My Plumber:

Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned, 3^rd generation plumbing business located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.  Carter’s My Plumber is a Licensed Plumbing Contractor and is a member of the PHCC, BBB and Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.