Chicago Backflow Repair and Servicing
Backflow devices are outfitted to pipes and used to keep the water coming from your house flowing in one direction—out.
This is because there are instances where the main city water line will experience a drop in pressure, or become contaminated. When this happens, the water flowing out from your house can begin to flow back into it. If that water manages to make it inside, it could make the house’s water supply non-potable.
Backflow repair is a job that needs to be taken seriously, not just by the homeowner, but especially by the plumbers who’ve been called in to assess and fix it. Improper repairs for a backflow problem don’t just mean the water pressure doesn’t go back to normal—it could result in tainted water running through the faucets and showers and other water systems used by everyone in the house.
So if you’re in need of quality backflow repair, make sure you get someone you can trust when you call Parks’ Plumbing & Sewer today!.
Backflow Problem Signs
Foul Odor
One of the first signs of bad water is a bad smell. If there’s a smell coming from any of your sinks, your shower or tub, or even your toilet, that is stronger and more pungent than what you’ve smelled before, that could be a sign of a backflow issue.
Rust-colored water
Any orange or brown colored water is an immediate sign to any observant homeowner that there’s a problem with the plumbing.
It’s advised that, if this problem is observed with any of the fixtures, everyone in the home is kept from using the showers or faucets. This is because the contamination may not be localized to that fixture, but could also be present in other areas of the house as well.
Bad Taste
If you notice an off-taste with your water—anything from it tasting somewhat like copper, to it tasting practically rancid—absolutely do not drink it. If you think you may have ingested something toxic, call your local Poison Control immediately, and warn the other members of your household that the water in your home is non-potable.
Stages of Backflow Installation and Repair
Inspection.
Once an issue is detected, a plumber will be called. They’ll begin by checking the fixtures to make sure that the problem is actually with the backflow of the house and not with any specific sink, faucet, toilet, or other fixture or system.
Repair.
After the inspector finds the source of the backflow issue, the plumber will make the necessary repairs. This could involve removing a clog, fixing a valve, installing a new pump, or a number of other steps and processes. Each of these will be specific to the context and status of the backflow system.
Test.
With the problem found and the repair made, the plumber will test the system to ensure the solution works and the problem is solved. If that’s the case, they’ll be off and away, and your home will once again have a functioning backflow system. If that’s not the case, the above steps will be repeated until the problem is located and solved.
Parks' Plumbing & Sewer Flood Control Systems
A good home needs a strong backflow prevention system, and that means good flood control. Lucky for you, that’s our specialty, and we’ve spent forty years designing and building specialty equipment to tackle the job. Some of our patented technology includes our:
- ‘DOUBLE GUARD’™ VALVE: The Parks’ ‘DOUBLE GUARD’™ VALVE is a flood control backwater valve system designed personally by us, for you. It’s made from red brass, a metal with an average lifespan of over 200 years and it uses two brass flappers that open and close, allowing sewage and wastewater to flow from the house to the street, but preventing sewage and wastewater from entering the house backflowing into your home. Also, our valves are all metal, with a cast iron housing and stainless steel parts. Other companies use a galvanized metal box with plastic parts and Styrofoam pieces. You definitely don’t want any plastic parts in a valve with that kind of pressure, especially not one that’s supposed to keep your house safe from City Sewer backup. After over forty years of installations, this system still holds a 99% success rate, and of it, we are justly proud.
- J-Vault™: The J-Vault™ is our patented flood control inspection and maintenance vault. Unlike most other vaults—which are made from concrete—the J-Vault™ is built from fiberglass, which means it has a lifespan fifty years longer than regular concrete vaults, and it’s also prone to less damage. This vault can be installed simply and with a clean finish that makes it easy on the eyes.
