Own or manage a commercial building in Melbourne? So many things to keep an eye on, right? In the day-to-day running of your property, it may be easy to tend to the aspects that are visible to the naked eye, but do you give enough attention to some of the hidden ones?
An important item on your to do list should be your backflow prevention system. So, when did you last check it and is it time to call in commercial plumbing Melbourne company to help prevent a disaster?
Read this to get insight into this important situation, so you can avoid catastrophes and know when it’s time to call the best commercial plumbers Melbourne has.
Backflow Prevention Fails—What Exactly Happens?
Firstly, let’s clarify the device under discussion. Your backflow prevention system is responsible for ensuring that water only flows in one direction in the building. You can imagine what can go wrong if there’s a backflow. For one thing, your drinking water can become contaminated.
In a commercial building with a much more intricate plumbing system than a normal house, this system is even more crucial. Unfortunately, it can happen that valves in the system fail. This will allow used, dirty and contaminated water back into the system, affecting the drinking water that’s supposed to be clean.
You or anyone using the building’s water system will notice that it failed in one of many ways:
- Water can smell bad or have a dirty, brown colour
- The flow of water can be different than usual, often much slower
- Water may be draining slower than before
These descriptions may seem like minor problems but the smell you notice could be sulphur and there may even be rust particles in the water. So, it’s already clear why backflow management is a priority and why experts advise you to do preventative maintenance at least once a year.
Reasons to Prioritise Backflow Prevention Maintenance AND Testing
For Banjo Nominees clients we suggest backflow testing every 12 months, because without it, you face the following potential problems:
- Risks on site: Above, we mentioned the possibility of sulphur in the water and there are other contaminants that also carry health risks if someone consumes them. As a property manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure a safe environment for anyone on your premises and maintaining the quality of the water is vital for this. You don’t want anyone developing an illness such as diarrhoea because of negligence in plumbing maintenance.
- A sub-standard system: Perhaps you plan on skipping your testing this year, thinking that a water filter is enough to manage water quality. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. Though it creates a physical barrier, you need a fully functional backflow valve to ensure continuous success in your plumbing.
- Costs: Skip your plumbing maintenance and you’re setting yourself up for unnecessary expenses. What you pay for a simple backflow testing procedure will be much less than having to fix a dysfunctional system later on. You will also prevent harming your reputation when tenants or the public complain about conditions that you weren’t managing properly.
Luckily, with a simple act such as backflow testing you can ensure you keep risks low and that your backflow valves are in proper working condition. This is a much better alternative than trying to manage the situation—from expenses to complaints—after something went wrong.
In Conclusion
Yes, backflow is a serious property management issue but with proper backflow prevention testing, you can stay in control of the situation. Take it one step further for your own peace of mind and partner with the best commercial plumbers in the business.
In Melbourne, call for Banjo Nominees on 03 9397 1111. We’ve been helping locals with backflow testing since the 1950s, so we know what it takes to get it right the first time. You can contact us on john@banjo.com.au.