Because these devices work with atmospheric principles, they cannot be installed in an environment that has air contaminants that should not get into the water. Another limitation of this device is that the potable water line (the line that’s protected) needs to be upstream from the non-potable water source. The most common use for these kinds of valves is for irrigation systems.

This is where pumps come in. What if hot water never got a chance to just sit there in the pipes and cool off? What if water flowed through all of the hot water pipes in a big loop so that it was constantly being kept nice and hot by the water heater?

If the shut-off valves/supply lines/etc… are old and deteriorated, they may need to be addressed during the installation (new fixture shut-off valves, new water heater valve and supply lines, etc…).

They can save money spent on water, but they do make the water heater work more. This is because the water heater is now keeping the entire hot system warm instead of just the water inside the tank. The larger the system is, the more heat loss occurs (which makes the water heater turn on more frequently to compensate). This decrease in efficiency and the small amount of electricity they use will offset some of the savings.

For these purposes, these pumps are highly recommended. They also tend to be very reliable as well – as long as they are manufactured by one of the larger, reputable companies like Grundfos, Taco, Etc…

The pump itself is very similar. Instead of being mounted on a hot water return line, though, it is usually mounted on the hot water outlet of the water heater. That way, it’s pushing water out of the tank and down the normal hot water pipes to the fixtures.

But wait a minute! Without a loop or some way to return the water, there would be no flow. That’s where the crossover tee comes in. Sometimes called a “bridge valve”, this ‘tee’ fitting is installed under the sink that is farthest away from the water heater. It is installed between the hot and cold pipes of the sink so that it “bridges” between the hot and cold water systems.

These incidents of contamination typically happen in “cross-connections” or connections between two water systems wherein one is potable and the other isn’t. Here are some common examples of cross-connections in the home:

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If you want to get ‘instant’ hot water or want to save water usage in your home, a recirculation pump is a great way to do that!

Because of these factors, the initial investment of the pump/installation, and the added cost of maintenance, a recirculation pump isn’t high on the list as a way to save money. Convenience and comfort are the main motivations when choosing to add one of these pumps to your system.

This is the problem in a nutshell. Unless you have a mini water heater under every faucet, you can’t have instant hot water.

Now, when hot water is being pushed down the pipes by the pump, this valve allows the cooled-off water to cross over into the cold water system where it loops back to the water heater. Very ingenious! Furthermore, these valves have a mechanical wax thermostat inside them that closes when hot water reaches the fixture. That way it doesn’t put too much hot water into the cold water system.

Basically, this type of system creates a pure, simple loop in the hot water system. Hot water flows circuitously through this loop alone. The loop is designed in such a way that all of the hot water fixtures are very close to the path that it takes so there is never any substantial wait time across the whole system.

Feel free to reach out if you have any recirculation-related questions. We are an award-winning gas line plumber in the north DFW area, and our reputation for integrity, craftsmanship, and upfront pricing speaks for itself.

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The dedicated return line pumps are installed on a special hot water return line that is plumbed to the farthest fixture. These are usually installed when the house is built. They are often required for larger square footage homes. Otherwise, the wait time would be ludicrous.

There are two main categories of hot water recirculation pumps – dedicated return line pumps and retrofit crossover-style pumps.

If it has been hours since the faucet was last used, it could take 3 – 5 minutes before you feel hot water. That wastes a lot of water and can be quite annoying sometimes. Gallons of water can easily be wasted every time this happens.

If you need backflow preventers installed in your home/building or if you need to repair the backflow preventers that you currently have, then get in touch with a trusted plumber. At PlumbWize, we ensure quality service for all your plumbing needs. We make it a point to get the job done right the first time and give you reliable and long-lasting plumbing solutions.

However, incidents such as breaks in the main water line or when a fire hydrant is used can reduce the water pressure in your home or building. When water pressure is reduced or fails completely, water won’t be pushed forward into your home and fixtures – instead, it will flow backwards into the city lines. Thus, without a backflow preventer, contaminants such as fertilizers, chlorine, soap, and human waste can be siphoned back into the public drinking supply due to the negative pressure.

Did you know an estimated 76 million homes in the US have cast iron piping in various stages of disrepair?  If you live in a

We covered the basics in this article, but if you are dealing with other types of systems (like with tankless water heaters) or more complicated setups (multiple hot water zones/loops) it can get more complicated. Designing and troubleshooting these setups can start to resemble designing a hydronic heating system – which is a science in and of itself. Fortunately, though, this isn’t common in your typical North Dallas residential application.

A tankless water heater is no different, either. Tankless water heaters do not provide instant hot water to the faucets – this is a common misconception. A tankless water heater heats water instantaneously as it passes through the heater, but it can’t magically get that hot water instantly to the faucets on the other side of the house.

These pumps are typically installed right next to the water heaters on the return line so they are pushing water toward the water heater. Sometimes they are set to run all the time. Other times, they are set to run on a timer so that the homeowner can save a little electricity when quick hot water isn’t necessary.

Under normal circumstances, wherein your plumbing system is in tip-top shape and your home or building is providing a steady supply of water, backflows don’t happen even without a backflow preventer. This is because the water pressure, by itself, would be flowing strong enough through your pipe network – thereby keeping water still or flowing in one direction.

Depending on the house floor plan, it may take more than one of the crossover valves to get hot water quickly to all of the faucets. Also, because of the way it works, there sometimes is lukewarm water that comes out of the cold side of the faucet for a few seconds when it is turned on.

Unlike other types of backflow preventers, an air gap is completely non-mechanical. For sinks and bathtubs, an air gap can be created just by putting the faucet high enough above the flood rim of the sink or tub. In situations that this can’t be done, an air gap device is used. Air gap devices are common for water softeners and dishwashers. The air gap, whether achieved through proper fixture placement or using a device, provides a physical break between the water source and the container of non-potable water.

The atmospheric vacuum breaker or (AVB) is typically made of brass and is bent at a 90-degree angle. Inside an AVB, there is a poppet valve that is held up and out of the way by normal water pressure. In this state, air cannot enter. However, if the pressure is reduced and backflow is about to happen, the poppet valve is dropped and blocks the line. Along with this action, air is allowed into the system to break up any kind of back-siphonage.

As implied by the name, a hose bib vacuum breaker is typically used for outdoor faucets where a hose connects. This threaded device can be screwed onto the faucet and prevents backflow with its single spring-loaded check valve. The valve opens and closes depending on the water pressure, thereby allowing water to flow only one way, preventing the back-siphonage of non-potable water (e.g. from a pool, puddle, bucket of soapy water) via the hose’s end.

Every hot water faucet has a hot water pipe that travels from that faucet back to wherever your water heater is located in your home. In the North Dallas area where we work, the water heaters are mostly located in the garages and attics. (In older homes like those in parts of Carrollton, Richardson, southeast Plano, etc… water heaters can also frequently be found inside closets off of the main hallway in the house.)

A double check valve or double check assembly (DCA) is a device that has two spring-loaded check valves that are placed in a series. Since these two valves operate independently, one of the main advantages of having this backflow preventer is that even when one valve fails, the other can take over. Moreover, if both valves are functioning, the closure of the first valve reduces the pressure differential across the other valve, resulting in a tighter and more reliable seal against backflows. The most common application for DCAs is preventing backflow in fire sprinkler systems.

Installing a retrofit pump or replacing a dedicated return line pump are usually pretty straightforward jobs for a plumber. The biggest variable is the soundness of the pipes that the new parts will attach to.

If you have any questions for us or would like to get started with backflow preventer installation, repair, or replacement, please feel free to give us a call!

There are numerous types of backflow preventers with their own mechanisms and unique applications. Your plumber will be able to advise you on the best type for your home and what is required by your municipality. In this section, we will talk about the different kinds of backflow preventers, how they work, and where you can typically find them.

The length of this hot water pipe determines how long it will take for hot water to get to your faucet after it leaves the tank. When not in use, the hot water cools off in the water pipes and is the first to rush out when a faucet is turned on.

In cases when backflow will result in significant harm, these devices are considered suitable for the job – because they can effectively and reliably prevent back pressure and back-siphonage. The redundantly secure design of this device makes it suitable for protecting drinking water.

Backflow preventers are devices installed in the pipes of your home or building to ensure that water flows in one direction and never the opposite. These kinds of devices protect potable water supplies against contamination from various kinds of cross-connections, thereby keeping drinking water safe and clean for everyone. If you would like to learn more about the types of backflow preventers, how they work, and what they’re typically used for, then you’re in the right place!

What if your house wasn’t installed with a dedicated recirculation return line? It would be a big project to go back and install a new hot water plumbing line in a house after everything has been covered up in sheetrock and trim.

A reduced pressure zone device (RZPD) is a device used specifically to prevent health hazards. RZPDs are equipped with two independently-action spring-loaded check valves. In between these two valves is a pressure-monitored chamber called the “zone.” The pressure in this zone is maintained by a differential pressure relief valve. This third valve will open to the atmosphere in the event that both check valves fail. The two independent valves can also take over for each other in case one of them fails – similar to how double check valves work.

Pressure vacuum breakers (PVBs) have a very similar mechanism to AVBs. The difference, however, is that PVBs have a spring-loaded poppet valve. Because of this difference, PVBs can be installed in systems where the potable water line (the line that’s protected) is downstream from the non-potable water source. These devices usually have test cocks where calibrated gauges are attached to ensure that the device is working properly. The most common application for PVBs is in preventing backflow in underground sprinkler systems.

Have you ever turned on a hot water faucet only to have to wait FOREVER for the water to get warm? Read this article to learn how you can get instant hot water to your kitchen and bathroom faucets.

This is the essential concept of the hot water recirculation pump. It keeps the water moving through the hot water system like an invisible circular bucket brigade so there will be no more water wasted down the drain and instant hot water at your faucets!

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There is a less-common variation of the retrofit style pump called an “on-demand” recirculation pump. This pump is mounted at the faucet instead of at the water heater. It has either a button or a sensor that turns it on so that it runs only when someone enters the room.