Backflow Preventer Testing and Repair in Brighton, CO
A backflow preventer stops used or contaminated water from reversing into the clean supply. Many devices need a test each year. If you received a notice, this page explains what the test is and what to expect from the visit.
Call (720) 794-0054- Annual testing
- Repair and replacement
- Documentation for the utility
What backflow is
Water normally flows from the main to your taps. If pressure drops in the main, or rises on your side, water can flow the wrong way. Without a barrier, water from a sprinkler head, boiler or pool line could enter the drinking supply.
The preventer itself is a valve assembly built to block reverse flow. Common types include double check assemblies, reduced pressure assemblies and vacuum breakers. Which one a property needs depends on the hazard.
Why you may get a notice
- A lawn sprinkler system connected to the house supply.
- A commercial building with a boiler, a fire line or a process line.
- A property with a pool or a fill line that could carry contaminants.
- A new device that has just been installed and needs its first test.
- A device that failed its last test and needs a retest after repair.
Requirements are set by the water provider, so a notice from your utility is the best source for dates and forms. Share it with the dispatcher when you call.
What happens during a test
- Locate the deviceIt is often outside near the meter, in a vault or in a mechanical room.
- Attach a test kitA calibrated gauge is connected to the test ports.
- Run the test sequenceCheck valves and relief valves are tested one by one.
- Record the resultPass or fail is documented on the utility's form.
- Repair if it failsWorn rubber parts, springs and seats are the usual culprits.
Water is shut off for a short time during the test. Tell people on site before the visit.
Got a testing notice?
Read out the due date and device location to the dispatcher. They will book a test window.
Who may test a device
Many water providers require tests by a certified tester and paperwork submitted to them. Ask the dispatcher about the tester's credentials before booking, and confirm the utility's rules for your address. Do not assume that any plumber's report will be accepted.
Also ask who sends the result to the utility and by what date.
Winterizing and freeze risk
Above-ground devices are exposed to the weather. A device that freezes can crack. Many owners insulate the exposed pipe or shut off and drain it before winter. See frozen pipe repair for cold weather steps. If a device leaks or discharges water from the relief port, it needs repair. Do not plug the port.
Commercial and multi-unit properties
Larger buildings often have several devices on domestic and fire lines. A schedule for annual tests keeps paperwork current. Property managers should keep a list of each device with its location and last test date. See commercial plumbing for other building-level work.
Preparing for the test visit
- Find the notice and note the due date and the device location.
- Clear snow, vegetation and storage from around outdoor devices.
- Unlock gates and mechanical rooms before the visit.
- Tell staff or tenants that water will be off briefly.
- Have the previous test report on hand, if you have one.
A short checklist saves time on site. A device buried in overgrown shrubs or locked in a room costs extra minutes, and sometimes a second trip.
After a failed test
A failed test is not unusual, especially on older devices. The plumber identifies which part failed, usually a check valve, a relief valve or a seal, and gives a repair quote. After repair, the device is retested and a passing report goes to the utility.
If a device is badly worn or obsolete, replacement may make more sense than another repair. Ask for both options and keep the paperwork for your records.
What changes the price
Pricing depends on how many devices, their size and whether a repair is needed. Ask the dispatcher for a clear quote before work starts.
Number of devices
Each device is tested separately.
Device size and type
Larger assemblies take longer.
Access
Vaults and mechanical rooms take more time.
Repair parts
A failed test may need a kit or a new assembly.
Reporting
Ask who files the result.
Questions callers ask us
Many providers require annual tests. Your notice or the utility will state the interval.
It is repaired and retested. Worn parts are the usual cause.
Most connections to the house supply need one. Ask the utility what applies at your address.
Yes in most cases. Share where it is and how to get in.
Briefly, yes. Plan for a short interruption.
Ask when you book. Confirm the due date and the method.
Yes, as part of a planned project. Share the line size and type.
Keep the test current
Call to book a backflow test or repair and get the paperwork ready for the utility.