Q: What is backflow?
A: Backflow is when the water in your fresh water supply pipes flows backwards. Let's say there is a fire in your area and the fire department connects to a hydrant close to you. It is very possible that the demand of water at the hydrant is so great that water from pipes upstream (beyond) of the hydrant begins to flow backwards towards the hydrant. Let's further say that a building is close by with a cooling tower on it's roof. If water from this cooling tower were to flow backwards into the supply piping system it could become contaminated with hazardous chemicals and potentially cause people to get sick or die. In this case the freshwater supply system has to be protected from a backflow occurrence. This is just one of many examples. Another example would be a fire sprinkler system. The water in these pipes can sit for long periods of time and become stagnate. If the stagnate water in these pipes mixes with the fresh water supply system it could cause people to get sick. That's why all fire sprinkler systems have a backflow device at the connection to the fresh water supply pipe. And finally, to be sure that a backflow device is working properly it has to be tested by a Backflow Technician. All testable backflow devices are required to be tested annually. Galaxy Plumbing & Drain is certified to test backflow devices. Call us if you need yours tested.

Q: What is the purpose of a grease trap?
A: Well, not to sound simple but the purpose of a grease trap is to trap grease. Almost all commercial establishments that prepare food are required to have a grease trap. Restaurants are the most common place where they are used. Some grease traps are small and located indoors. Some are large and are located underground outside of a building. They all do the same thing. When a drain gets blocked it can cause serious problems and property damage. If a municipality gets a blockage in one of their lines that causes an overflow onto the ground, they can even get fined by the EPA. Fats, oils, and greases are a serious problem when it comes to our drainage system so it is vitally important that we take necessary steps to keep these types of back-ups to a minimum. Using grease traps and cleaning them regulary is a must if you are in the food service industry. Galaxy Plumbing & Drain is experienced in the installation and maintenance of all types of grease traps. Call us for service.

Q: I own a restaurant and my floor drains are constantly clogging. Is there something I can do to prevent this from happening?
A: First, don't let your employees sweep debris into your floor drains or floor sinks. Next, if you have greasy floors, mop them frequently and dispose of the mop water into a drain that is connected to your grease trap system (if possible). You can also use a water hose and flush the drains periodically (once per month) with water pressure to help keep them flowing. And finally, there are degreasing solutions on the market that are designed to prevent grease build-up. You can have an automatic dispenser installed or apply them yourself for preventive maintenance. If you are having consistent back-ups you should consider having the problem drains snaked/cleaned first and then follow the advice I've just given. Call Galaxy Plumbing & Drain to help with your drainage problems.