Backflow is the broad term for water flowing the wrong way, and backsiphonage is one way it happens. Understanding both helps you see why backflow prevention is required on certain fixtures.
The backflow
Backflow is any reversal of flow that could pull contaminated water into the clean supply, and it is the danger backflow preventers guard against.
The backsiphonage
Backsiphonage happens when a drop in supply pressure sucks water backward, the way a straw pulls liquid up.
The backpressure
The other cause is backpressure, when downstream pressure pushes water back, like a boiler or a pump.
The prevention
A vacuum breaker handles backsiphonage, while a double check or RPZ handles backpressure. hard water and mineral buildup are the norm, and the desert heat stresses outdoor lines and water heaters In Reno, the right device depends on the hazard.
The device
A vacuum breaker handles backsiphonage, while an RPZ handles backpressure. Matching the device to the hazard is what the code requires.
The call
Protect the supply from both. Call 888-217-3585 and Reno Plumbing Pros will match you with a Reno pro.
Plumbing in Reno: what to know
In Reno, hard water and mineral buildup are the norm, and the desert heat stresses outdoor lines and water heaters. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Storey County — from Sparks, Truckee and Carson to ZIP codes like 89503, 89557, 89501 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Reno?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Reno Plumbing Pros will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Reno.