Every year in Colorado, businesses are required to have their backflow preventers checked. Homeowners don’t have the same requirement, but that doesn’t mean they should ignore their PVB or its importance. Read on to learn what PVB stands for, why it’s important and how Garvin’s Plumbing and Sewer can help.
What Is A PVB?
PVB is short for pressure vacuum breaker and it is a type of backflow prevention. When you’re watering your grass, you likely aren’t thinking about your PVB and probably don’t know its role in your safety.
Pressure vacuum breakers prevent back pressure by allowing pressure to escape, without allowing water to be siphoned into the system as the valve only opens in one direction.
Why Is A PVB Important?
Without a PVB — or backflow prevention more broadly — unclean water can be siphoned back into your home or business. Without it, people have been poisoned by fertilizers that were pulled into their drinking water from irrigation systems.
Others have become sick due to cross-contamination from soapy sink water or even toilet waste. While these cases are rare, any case of backflow into drinking water is bad news.
We recommend installing or replacing a PVB whenever there is a chance of cross-contamination. This will ensure you and your family have access to clean water safe for drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning.
How Do I Know When To Replace My PVB?
Plumbing fixtures consist of parts that wear out over time and this means eventually, they do need repair or replacement. When you start experiencing these symptoms, it is likely time to have a plumber come do an inspection and test to determine the best next steps.
Leaking Around The Valve
If you notice leaking at or around the PVB, it is possible a ring or other component has failed. It could also mean the PVB itself is broken. Either way, Garvin’s plumbers can fix the problem.
Water Quality Issues
Discolored or foul-tasting water can be another symptom of a failed PVB. Don’t drink any water that has changed color, smell or taste and contact a plumber right away to determine the source of the problem. Your local water department may also have released information about any changes to water conditions. They are usually posted on the local water department or city website.
Water Flow Issues
If the water pressure in your house seems to be too low, that is a sign that your PVB or other valves aren’t working correctly. In some cases, water flow issues can also be related to pipe failure, so it is recommended a plumber come troubleshoot and identify the cause.
Call Garvin’s Plumbing And Sewer
Experiencing issues with a leaking outdoor faucet, poor water quality or water pressure issues? Garvin’s Plumbing and Sewer has been serving the Greater Denver and Boulder areas plumbing issues for over 80 years. Our knowledgeable, professional plumbers are here to troubleshoot the problems and solve them the same day. Contact us today for an appointment.
