Ham Lake Plumbing FAQ: What is a Pressure Vacuum Breaker?

We get a lot of Ham Lake plumbing questions from our customers, and one we get frequently is about pressure vacuum breakers. The plumbing experts at Air Mechanical Heating, Cooling & Plumbing want to help answer all your questions. Call us any time if you would like information about your plumbing system or the services we provide. Here’s a basic description of a pressure vacuum breaker and how it works. A pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) is a device that helps prevent the risk of waste water getting back into your fresh water supply. This is why they are also called backflow prevention devices. PVBs use a spring-loaded valve that blocks the waste water from flowing in the wrong direction. The opening of the valve is determined by the pressure of the water inside the check valve, which only holds up to 1psi at a time. The valve will only open when the pressure is greater than 1psi. Therefore, the water leaving the home on the other side of the check valve cannot enter back into the water supply because there’s no pressure behind it. Keep in mind that your vacuum breaker valve must be tested periodically by a certified plumber who is familiar with local codes. We recommend that you have your backflow prevent devices inspected at least once a year. The life of the components depends on several factors, including the condition of your water. Corrosive water conditions may limit the lifespan of the equipment; however, routine inspections and maintenance will help ensure that the internal parts are working properly and extend the life of the machinery. Any type of backflow prevention device needs to be maintained according to the regulations of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), so it is imperative that you make sure that you hire a plumber certified to handle these kinds of inspections. Call the Ham Lake certified plumbers at Air Mechanical for all your backflow prevention needs.