Reduced pressure zone assemblies (RPZ Valves) are extremely important. They’re used to keep contamination or pollution out of your water.
All across the country, municipalities and engineers are requiring the use of RPZ backflow preventers to protect the water supply. You may be in an area that suddenly requires RPZ level protection, where single checks or double checks with their low hazard level protection was once acceptable. Because the RPZ provides the highest level of protection for your water supply, many areas are now requiring their use on all domestic and fire service lines.
Why is an RPZ Better?
Backflow preventers work by letting water flow through them in one direction, but prevent water from flowing back through them in a reverse direction. This is how the water supply is protected. A house or business or cyanide plant can use all the water it wants, but once the water has passed through the backflow preventer, it will not be allowed back into the water supply. An RPZ provides the best level of protection because it has a built-in relief valve, which will open up and actually dump the backflowing water out of the valve, in order to prevent any chance of contaminated water re-entering the water supply.
RPZ stands for Reduced Pressure Zone. This zone of pressure within the valve lets you know that the valve is working properly. If you walk up to an RPZ and there is no water dumping out of the relief valve, then you KNOW that backflow preventer is working properly. Now that’s some great peace of mind. If the relief valve is dumping out water, or spitting out small or large amounts of water, then you know that something is not right and maintenance on the valve is required. This peace of mind is what municipalities and engineers are requiring more and more to protect our precious water supply.
What About RPZ Installation?
Because an RPZ is designed to dump water, the surrounding area is going to get wet. An RPZ that is dumping water is working exactly how it’s supposed to. Unfortunately, this is not a good situation if the RPZ is installed inside a mechanical room or in a utility closet as the surrounding area will be damaged by the water pouring out of the backflow preventer. Incredibly, these devices are even installed up in the ceiling or attic sometimes. The RPZ will absolutely protect your water supply, but if installed in the wrong space, it can potentially destroy your property. It is important to use best practices when installing an RPZ, and the best place to call for installation is Three Amigos Plumbing of Monroe.
We specialize in RPZ replacement and installation so contact us and we will send our technicians to inspect and satisfy your plumbing needs!
📞 Monroe: (305) 367-3902
📞 Miami-Dade: (305) 248-3333
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