Keeping backflow preventer devices in good working condition through timely repairs is required by law and ensures public safety, regulatory compliance, and the ongoing integrity of the water system. It’s essential that any damage or malfunction is addressed quickly to avoid any risk to water quality and public health.
Backflow Test Pros backflow repair and replacement services provides timely backflow repair services and ensures that your water is not shut off due to leaking or damaged backflow assemblies.
Backflow Test Pros is 100% dedicated to ensuring your business meets local water authority annual backflow repair and maintenance requirements so you can avoid civil penalties and ensure your water is not turned off for noncompliance.
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When backflow preventers are faulty, failing, or damaged, it’s important to address these issues promptly to avoid disruption of your water supply. Regular maintenance and testing by qualified professionals can help identify and fix these common backflow repair issues before they lead to serious problems.
For more detailed review of backflow repair and replacement issues please check our
Backflow Repair & Replacement Frequently Asked Questions
All approved backflow preventer assemblies have check valves and seals that prevent water from flowing in the wrong direction. Over time, these components can wear out or become damaged due to age, pressure changes, debris buildup, etc.
Common issues include:
- Worn seals: This can cause leaks around the valve, allowing water to pass through when it shouldn't, leading to potential contamination.
- Damaged check valves: If the check valve is cracked or malfunctioning, water can flow in reverse, bypassing the backflow prevention mechanism.
- Damaged check valve seats: The seat where the check valve aligns to seal off potential backflow is integral to the backflow preventer's integrity. In most cases these check valve seats are replaceable.
Debris, rust, or sediment can accumulate in your backflow preventer. This can prevent the backflow prevention device from functioning correctly, leading to:
- Leaking Backflow: If the device is an Reduced Pressure Principle type of backflow, which is very common in California, debris in the line will most likely cause it to visibly leak.
- Failing Backflow: Even the smallest amount of debris in the backflow preventer can cause the results for its annual testing to be below acceptable values.- Faulty Backflow: If debris clogs the valve or chamber, it could prevent the device from opening or closing properly, making it unable to stop backflow.
- Restricted flow: Blockages can restrict normal water flow, leading to pressure issues in the system and potentially damaging the device over time.
The relief valve is a critical component to the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer (RPP). In the event that the check valves fail, the relief valve will always dump any backflow to the atmosphere through the relief valve vent. This is why the RPP is the preferred choice whenever a potential contaminant is connected to the potable water supply.
If the relief valve is damaged or malfunctioning, it can cause:
- Leaking Relief Valve: A common symptom of relief valve damage is leaking from the relief valve vent. This vent is directly underneath the backflow. Leaking vents waste water, and can cause serious water damage quickly if left unrepaired.
- Failure to Prevent Backflow: A relief valve that is failing to open will not properly prevent backflow from occurring. Usually relief valves stick in the closed position due to scale or hard water build up.
- Pulsating Relief Valve: Sometimes relief valves can pulsate, which is usually due to air being trapped inside the relief valve. This should be resolved immediately as the pulsating can get more and more intense causing plumbing damage.
Backflow preventer devices are often exposed to harsh conditions, including water with high mineral content, chlorine, or other problematic elements.
Over time, this can lead to:
- Corrosion of internal components: Corroded parts, such as metal components like springs, seats, and valves, may fail to operate as intended. In addition, the internal rubber/plastic parts wear down over time.
- Mineral deposits (Scale Build Up): Hard water deposits, and other minerals can build up inside the backflow device, causing improper opening/closing of valves. This is the most common cause of relief valves on Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventers not opening properly.
- Rust Accumulation: Rust can collect inside the shut off valves or the body of the backflow eventually washing into the critical areas of the valve. These pieces of rust can obstruct the backflow preventer from working properly, and cause leaks.
The main body of the backflow preventer is responsible for housing all the vital internal and external components. These components are integral for backflow prevention, and annual testing.
Vandalism, corrosion, warping, or fractures in the body can lead to:
- Leaks: Damage to the backflow body may cause the backflow preventer to leak. These leaks may result in wasted water and property damage. In some cases emergency water shut down may be necessary.
- Annual Testing Failure: Internal components depend on the integrity of the valve body to achieve acceptable backflow testing results. On the other hand, external components connected to the body are relied on by the certified backflow tester to confirm the backflow preventer is function properly.
- Repair Failure: Damage or warping of the backflow preventer body may result in repair attempts being unsuccessful. In such cases, the entire backflow preventer will need to be replaced. Installation will require an approved backflow preventer by your local water authority.
If your backflow preventer isn't installed correctly, it can lead to various ongoing issues, such as:
- Inadequate Backflow Prevention: Backflow preventers need to be installed according to code to ensure they are functioning as per their original design. Any installation deviation may lead to failure to prevent backflow.
- Water Supply Disruption: As soon as an improper installation is identified it must be corrected immediately. Failure to do so will lead to water service termination by the water department.
Most backflow preventers rely on springs to open and close valves in response to pressure changes.If the springs become worn, damaged, or corroded, they can:
- Fail to open/close properly: A weak or damaged spring might not allow the valve to open or close fully, preventing the device from effectively stopping backflow. This can also lead to leaks at the backflow preventer.
- Stick in one position: If the spring or valve mechanism becomes stuck, it can leave the device in either the open or closed position. This can cause the backflow preventer to leak and no longer properly protect the water supply.
Shut off or isolation valves are used during testing and maintenance to isolate the backflow preventer from the rest of the plumbing system.
f these components fail, it can lead to:
- Inability to repair the backflow preventer: Failing shut off valves make repairs to the backflow preventer more difficult. In some cases, shut off valves will need to be replaced before any repairs can be made to the device.
- Inability to test the backflow preventer: If shut off valves don’t close properly, the certified backflow tester will be unable to test the device. These results in a fail, and the shut off valve will need to be replaced before retesting. Usually we recommend complete backflow preventer replacement in such cases.
Backflow preventers often include moving parts such as springs, rubber parts, and plastic parts that all combined to guarantee water safety.Over time, wear and tear can cause these components to fail, resulting in:
- Leaking Backflow Preventer: Internal parts no longer sealing properly can cause the device to leak. Repairs should be made at first signs of leak.
- Annual Test Failure: Periodically, these parts do wear out, which is one of the main reasons for your annual testing. Once we identify the issue, we can replace, and rebuild almost any internal components to the backflow preventer.
Sudden pressure changes, or "water hammer," can damage a backflow device.Water hammer occurs when the flow of water is abruptly stopped or changed, causing a shockwave through the pipes.
This can lead to:
- Damaged components: The shockwave can damage internal components, such as check valves, leading to a leaking and failing backflow preventer.
- Leaks and fractures: Excessive water hammer can cause cracks or leaks in the body or valves of the backflow preventer.
- Relief Valve Spitting & Wasted Water: Excessive pressure fluctuations on a line with a Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer will result in constant spitting of the relief valve.
Our recommended solution to address both water hammer & pressure fluctuations is the installation of a soft seated check valve on either side of the backflow preventer.
Repairing and maintaining backflow prevention systems is essential to protecting Los Angeles County public water supply and avoiding liabilities resulting from backflow contamination.
Backflow Test Pros provides the best value in Los Angeles County backflow repair and replacement services by combining competitive pricing and unmatched expertise with expedited backflow repair services that ensure you avoid penalties or risk your water being shut off due to leaking or damaged backflow assemblies.
Our national, state and local municipality certified specialists ensure regulatory compliance and reliability in every backflow repair.
As a bonded and insured licensed contractor, we offer guaranteed quality workmanship with priority scheduling, same-day certification, repair coverage and multi-device discounts to help you meet your backflow testing, repair and maintenance compliance requirements.
Contact us to learn more about our backflow repair offers near you:
Repairing and maintaining backflow prevention systems is essential to protecting Orange County public water supply and avoiding liabilities resulting from backflow contamination.
Backflow Test Pros provides the best value in Orange County backflow repair and replacement services by combining competitive pricing and unmatched expertise with expedited backflow repair services that ensure you avoid penalties or risk your water being shut off due to leaking or damaged backflow assemblies.
Our national, state and local municipality certified specialists ensure regulatory compliance and reliability in every backflow repair.
As a bonded and insured licensed contractor, we offer guaranteed quality workmanship with priority scheduling, same-day certification, repair coverage and multi-device discounts to help you meet your backflow testing, repair and maintenance compliance requirements.
Contact us to learn more about backflow repair offers in your area:
Best price guarantee. Schedule your backflow repair knowing you're receiving best in class service for the most competitive price.
Because backflow preventer devices are critical to maintaining clean, safe water supplies, California State Water Districts, County Health Boards and Local Municipalities regulations mandate that only licensed and certified backflow technicians and plumbers who have the expertise, training, have the legal authority to perform repairs or replacements in compliance with regulations and with the necessary quality control to protect both your business and the public water system.
At Backfrlow Test Pros, our certified cross connection control and backflow prevention professionals are trained to perform repairs in a way that ensures the backflow preventer device functions as intended. By properly isolating the preventer device, shutting off the water supply, and carrying out repairs or replacements, our certified technicians reduce your risk of non-compliance and resulting liability.
