Many homes and businesses in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, are equipped with a backflow prevention device. These devices are designed to prevent sewage backflow from contaminating the supply of potable water. They’re also referred to as RPZ valves, which stands for “Reduced Pressure Zone.” These devices need to be periodically tested to make sure they’re working correctly, which is important for making sure that your water supply remains safe to drink. To schedule backflow testing in Upper Saddle River, call us today at Quest Plumbing for fast and friendly service.

How Backflow Prevention Devices Work

RPZ valve backflow prevention devices are required to be installed in homes and businesses that have irrigation systems, fire suppression systems, or large boilers in them. These devices are manufactured by companies like Apollo Valves, Aqua Shield, and Flomatic. They prevent various contaminants from entering clean water. With irrigation systems, such as those used for lawns and gardens, the contamination comes in the form of fertilizers and pesticides, which are both harmful to human health, and can cause ecological problems when they leach into the city water supply. With boilers and fire sprinklers, standing water can become a haven for the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, as well as a site for minerals and metals from the piping to seep in.

In some situations, the water pressure either in your home plumbing, or in the city water mains, can drop below its normal pressure. This pressure difference can cause contaminated water to back up into the potable water supply. This can happen as a result of household water leaks, breaks in the city water main, the use of a nearby fire hydrant, and other issues. The RPZ responds to this pressure difference by opening up to dump out water, preventing backflow into the main water supply.

Each NJ town and municipality requires a NJ certified backflow tester certificate from each property with a backflow device annually. Our plumbers are certified to do annual backflow testing and will provide all the paperwork your NJ town needs.

Backflow Testing

As a safety precaution, your backflow prevention device needs to be periodically tested to make sure it’s working correctly. These devices have numerous internal components, like springs, seals, and moving parts, that can become rusted or worn out. Most experts recommend backflow testing in Upper Saddle River at least once a year. Certified professionals use specialized calibrated testing equipment to ensure that the device works correctly. It’s important to have backflow testing performed annually for several reasons:

Protecting drinking water mains. For public health reasons, it’s incredibly important that any water used for drinking should be clean. Backflow prevention and testing helps keep harmful substances like metals, poisons, and pathogenic bacteria from causing illness due to contaminated drinking water.
You may be legally required to have testing done. each town in NJ requires annual backflow testing. This is especially applicable if you own a business or an apartment complex.
Proper testing will help extend the lifespan of your backflow prevention device. Any machine will last longer when it’s properly maintained. Installing a new device can be expensive, and annual testing helps you get the most out of the one you already have.

If you’re not sure when you last had your backflow prevention device professionally tested, call us today at Quest Plumbing, at 201-399-2160. Our friendly technicians provide comprehensive backflow testing in Upper Saddle River for homeowners and business owners, helping keep our community’s water pure and clean.