Full Answer
Are back flow covers necessary?
You will definitely need one if you are in a cold-weather climate and your backflow preventer is being installed outside the building (where it's supposed to be). Backflow covers can be heated, which will keep your equipment from freezing. It will also protect it from other elements like wind and rain.
What is the function of a backflow protector?
A water backflow prevention device is a device that works to protect potable water from contamination or pollution due to backflow. In layman's terms, it's essentially a device that stops water from flowing backward in your pipes.
How do you cover a backflow preventer?
Wrap it with towels, a fleece blanket, sleeping bag, or sweatshirt. Use duct tape to keep the wrapping in place. Then place a heavy-duty garbage bag over the BPA to keep the wrapping dry. Don't seal the bag too tightly — just enough to keep the bag and wrapping from blowing off.
What is a backflow blanket?
The Backflow Blanket is designed to protect the backflow from the elements. Insulated blankets for backflow devices help protect against sudden cold snaps.
How much does it cost to install a backflow preventer?
On average, it costs around $300 to install a sewer backflow preventer in your home. However, you could wind up paying between $600 and $800 (or more) if extensive labor is required due to labor costs. The parts necessary to complete the job yourself cost as little as $100.
How do you know if you have a backflow preventer?
How do I know if my property has a backflow prevention assembly? You can check to see if you have a backflow prevention assembly by looking at where water enters your property (usually in a basement by the water heater, a crawl space, or in a mechanical room).
Should I remove the backflow preventer for winter?
If water freezes in the backflow preventer or the ball valves it can cause internal damage or possible crack the device or valve. To minimize the risk of freezing, it is almost always necessary to “winterize” your irrigation system and backflow preventer.
How do you winterize a backflow device?
1:413:39How to Winterize a Backflow Device - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo with our main valve off and our drain valve open we're going to open these test cocks. And thatMoreSo with our main valve off and our drain valve open we're going to open these test cocks. And that drain all the excess water out of the inside of the backflow. And we close each of these valves a
What temperature will backflow preventer freeze?
Unfortunately, backflow preventers have precise and integral components that can be easily damaged by the forces of frozen water. Be prepared to protect your backflow preventers when the temperature drops below 32 degrees…or be prepared to repair and replace all the valves in your system.
What is a water hot box?
The Hot Box ® is designed to enhance the installation of backflow prevention, pump, and sprinkler assemblies, pressure vacuum breakers, air release valves, etc. in the most economical, accessible location Y outside, above ground.
Does a backflow preventer reduce pressure?
It's also essential to note that both types of backflow preventers reduce available downstream water pressure.
What is the difference between a check valve and a backflow preventer?
Check valves use a hinged plug that allows water to pass through the pipeline but blocks it from coming back. Backflow preventers, on the other hand, apply an increased amount of pressure on a pipe to ensure the water can only flow one way.
Why is it important to have a backflow preventer on domestic water systems?
Why are backflow preventers important? Drinking contaminated water can make you sick, which is why it's important to install a backflow system. Backflow preventers not only protect your health against pollutants and parasites, but they also protect your neighbors who draw from the same public water supply.
Where should backflow preventer be installed?
You should have your backflow prevention assembly installed inside an above-ground enclosure. It's the safest and most cost-effective place to put it. Installing your backflow preventer above ground in an outdoor enclosure allows you to protect your backflow preventer and maintain easy access to it.
Backflow Cover: Protection from Vandalism
Theft is a common occurrence. A thief will steal when they can see and take something that requires little effort. There are stories told of truckloads of small diameter backflow preventers showing up at scrap yards. A backflow preventer needs a backflow cover so that the thief will not know what’s inside.
Backflow Cover: Protection from Freezing
A backflow cover provides insulation and heat to prevent the backflow preventer from freezing during cold weather. During the winter of 2021, many southern states experienced a prolonged period of cold weather. The backflow preventers that were installed without an enclosure or those that were installed inside a cage froze.
Backflow Cover: Improves Aesthetics
In many southern states, backflow preventers are installed outside the building and above ground. This is the best practice location. In addition to the freezing risk mentioned previously, without an enclosure to cover the backflow preventer, the aesthetics are very poor. Nice-looking buildings with an exposed backflow preventer ...
What is a backflow enclosure?
Protection: Some backflow enclosure models provide freeze protection through the use of a "positive means of heat" and R-8 thermal insulation, others provide frost protection only through thermal insulation and most do not provide protection from freezing temperatures. These backflow covers are designed to protect the equipment from thieves and vandals but do not have a locking mechanism. They can be made of plastic or fiberglass depending on the manufacturer.
How much does a fiberglass enclosure cost?
Prices: $300 to $6,000. Important to Note : While fiberglass is able to withstand caustic conditions, these covers are susceptible to fiber bloom and cracking because of UV rays. In larger sizes, fiberglass enclosures are comparable in price to aluminum.
Do backflow cages have insulation?
It will also protect it from other elements like wind and rain. Backflow cages have no insulation to provide frost or freeze protection but do provide some vandal, accident and theft protection as they are powder-coated steel and include a locking mechanism.
Does a backflow enclosure protect against freezing?
Protection : Some backflow enclosure models provide freeze protection through the use of a "positive means of heat" and an insulated bag, others provide frost protection only through the insulated bag and most do not provide protection from freezing temperatures.
Can thieves get to backflow preventer?
Thieves can’t get to your backflow preventer either, as long as it is covered. Your equipment is built with valuable materials like copper and brass that some people try to sell as scrap. A backflow cover also provides you the peace of mind of knowing that someone can’t come by and vandalize your equipment.
Do I need a backflow cover?
Backflow covers can be heated, which will keep your equipment from freezing. It will also protect it from other elements like wind and rain.
Why use a backflow cover?
Backflow covers are an excellent source for protection against the cold. Look around and see why so many of our covers are covering America's pipes. Don't let freezing weather take a bite out of your back flow valve assembly in your water system. With a Backflow Thermal Cover, you have a cost effective solution.
What is a backflow cover made of?
What a cover is made from is important. Our backflow covers are made from a very tough mesh fabric that is coated with vinyl making it waterproof with a high resistance to dirt, mildew, oil, salt, chemicals and UV. Outstanding strength. Made of top quality materials, it will not tear, stretch, crack, or rot.
What is a backflow prevention device?
Is Backflow is a term in plumbing for an unwanted flow of water in the reverse direction. It can be a serious health risk for the contamination of potable water supplies with foul water. In the most obvious case, a toilet flush cistern and its water supply must be isolated from the toilet bowl. For this reason, building codes mandate a series of measures and backflow prevention devices to prevent backflow. When was the last time you checked to make sure your device is working properly? Click here for help. Is your device protected with a Backflow Cover?
How long can a backflow cover withstand freezing?
Our Backflow Covers Preventer Insulated Insulation Freeze Protection Covers help you to prevent your Backflow Device from freezing! Our covers can withstand the cold for up to 10 hours in zero degree weather*.
How long does it take to ship backflow insulation?
Cover it today! Click here to go to the order page. We can usually ship your Backflow Insulation Cover in 1 - 3 business days after payment is received.
Are they rugged?
One of the common concerns with outdoor fiberglass covers is how easily they can develop holes. Weekly landscaping can quickly cause big problems as a weed eater will cut through the fiberglass over time. Once that happens, it becomes hard to prevent freezing and causes the heater to use more electricity.
How long do they last?
Fiberglass backflow covers are susceptible to ultraviolet light deterioration. Over time, the fibers weaken and can eventually deteriorate. The typical UV protection shield many manufacturers add to their products only acts as a temporary safeguard against th e inevitable fiber blooming.
Can you customize them?
Fiberglass is tough to modify and machine. Because of this, you're usually limited to only the models the manufacturer makes available. It is especially difficult to add holes or cutouts because the fiberglass is likely to chip or crack. It is also dangerous to cut, because the fine dust that occurs is abrasive to both skin and lungs.
Are they attractive?
It is unlikely that you, the architect, and the building owner think large beige boxes on the side of the road are particularly beautiful. The way you get around that is by getting that backflow cover to blend in. Most leading manufacturers of fiberglass covers make them in one color - off-white.
How much do they cost?
This may come as a surprise, but in most markets aluminum is comparable in price to fiberglass. For instance, the price for a popular brand fiberglass enclosure sized to fit a .75" - 1" backflow preventer with heat is $550. A similarly sized aluminum enclosure, the 100S-AL, with heat from Safe-T-Cover is $567.
Decide what's important
If all you need is a small, temporary solution, or if your application involves corrosive materials, then some of these questions may not apply to you. Most likely, you're looking for a strong, heated, attractive pump or backflow preventer cover that will last as long as the equipment inside it.
What is backflow in water?
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. Most home and business owners are unaware that this is even possible. They assume that when they turn on ...
Does Texas require backflow preventers?
The State of Texas requires, naturally, that all backflow devices (preventers) be tested annually as well as during installation and during any repairs to your water system. Unfortunately, there are so many backflow preventers in the State of Texas that it is impossible for officials to notify individual homeowners and businesses ...
Is there a backflow test in Fort Worth?
City Backflow Testing is licensed with the state and is registerd in many cities in the metroplex including backflow testing in Fort Worth. We make sure that your check valve is working properly and meets the standards set down by the State of Texas. Double checks, Pressure Vacuum Breakers, Rain/Freeze Sensors and testing and repairing fire line backflows, we do it all and we do it well.
