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A back pressure valve is a control valve used on production vessels, such as separators, treaters, and free water knockouts. The valve holds pressure until a set point is reached, and then releases upstream pressure to reset. Back pressure valves are not safety mechanisms. Instead, they are regulators designed to keep the fluid, gas, or liquid mixture in a system at a certain pressure level to prevent bursts and other incidents.

Meanwhile, a backflow preventer is a safety mechanism that kicks in when the pressure has already failed and contaminated water flows in the reverse direction. Most backflow preventers consist of two one-way valves, or check valves assembled together. This design only allows water to pass through in one direction but not the other.

If your pipes are newly installed, or you recently had plumbing work done, it's normal to have some air in the pipes, which will likely work its way out naturally after using the plumbing a few times. But if you continually hear banging or gurgling due to air bubbles, you might have an air leak, which is best addressed by a plumber. 

Yes, the thawing process is often the reason frozen pipes burst in the first place. Though it may seem like the freezing itself causes a pipe to burst, it's actually the pressure that builds inside the pipes in your home that really contributes to the pipe bursting. As the ice melts, more pressure builds in the pipes. That pressure increases further if some of the water thaws only to refreeze.

Yes, sewage smells can originate from a floor drain. If the P-Trap in the floor drain dries out or if there's a clog or other issue in the plumbing system, sewer gasses can escape through the drain, causing nasty odors. Regularly pouring water into the drain helps maintain the water seal and prevent those smells, but if the smell persists, you should have a plumbing professional inspect the drain for potential problems.