Backflow preventer testing and maintenance is mandated by law in the state of Florida. In the name of public health and safety, the use of testable backflow prevention devices is required of SOME residential property owners (as opposed to ALL commercial property owners). Much depends on the plumbing code and water authority having jurisdiction over your locale.
Homeowners who are required to install and test a backflow prevention device are typically expected to:
- Secure a plumbing permit for a legally required backflow preventer’s initial installation, replacement or relocation;
- Possibly undergo a regular backflow preventer inspection by a certified backflow prevention inspector; and
- Contract a periodic backflow preventer test by a certified backflow prevention tester, such as READY Plumbing & Fire Protection.
- Submit an authority’s official backflow preventer test report within 45 to 60 days from receipt of notification and form.
For COMMERCIAL backflow preventer testing services, click here.
Backflow prevention requirements and services
Different local cross connection control, backflow prevention and plumbing codes and programs exact different backflow prevention requirements on residential property owners. So, it pays to become familiar with the specific edicts that apply to your property. Check your county, city or water utility website for information and helpful contacts. Or, call our certified READY backflow plumbing specialists for assistance.
The backflow prevention requirements that follow generally apply to residential properties within our eight-county service area.
Lawn irrigation backflow preventer
Homeowners with irrigation systems that use potable water — or a secondary water source that’s not connected to their water authority’s irrigation meter — are required to have an irrigation backflow preventer installed on their residential water service line. It usually must be tested every two years. A Reduced Pressure (or, RPZ) backflow preventer type is often required for new and retrofit irrigation systems, with Double Check Valve (or, DCVA) preventers acceptable for irrigation service installed prior to a specific date.
READY Plumbing can help you install, regularly test and maintain your irrigation backflow preventer.
Potable, auxiliary and reclaimed water backflow preventer
Homeowners who use reclaimed water for irrigation — or who draw water from an auxiliary source, such as a well, lake, river, spring, stream and so on — are required to install a backflow preventer on their potable water line, to be tested every two years. RPZ and DCVA backflow preventer assemblies are the typically approved devices for these systems.
READY backflow plumbing contractors can help you with reclaimed and auxiliary water backflow preventers as well.
Residential fire sprinkler, swimming pool and other water system backflow preventer
Residential fire sprinkler, swimming pool, hot tub, spa and similar water system service lines generally do need an installed backflow preventer, but may or may not require periodic testing. The installed device must be maintained as part of a homeowner’s responsibility, optionally tested periodically and/or replaced after five to ten years. RPZ and DCVA backflow prevention devices are generally recommended on the service lines of these systems, although a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB), Spill-resistant Vacuum Breaker (SVB) or Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) assembly will sometimes suffice.
READY Plumbing can help you assess, install, test and maintain these backflow preventers on your residential fire sprinkler system.
Approved commercial backflow preventer types
While there are several types of backflow prevention devices available on the market, you should choose and use the type that is specified by your governing authority or be deemed non-compliant. Water districts in our service areas tend to favor the RPZ and DCVA backflow preventer types above all others.
READY Plumbing is adept at installing, testing and repairing these preferred (and other) assemblies, which each use a different mechanism to effectively prevent backflow. For instance, a DCVA uses two single, spring-loaded check valves and two tightly closing gate valves in one body to do the job. An RPZ leaks excess water when a backflow incident occurs to effectively equalize pressure and stop cross-contamination in its tracks.
Backflow testing procedures and what to expect
Like everything else plumbing, your backflow preventer springs, seals and moving parts will wear down over time. Its periodic testing is really the only way to make sure that it is in good, reliable working order.
BACKFLOW TESTING REQUIRES VERY LITTLE FROM YOU. Simply inform other home occupants of the appointed testing time and that water will be shut down during testing. Also, make sure that any secured backflow preventers are unlocked and accessible prior to our arrival. Finally, if we are testing a fire sprinkler backflow preventer, notify the fire department, as well as your fire insurance and alarm companies of the test. That’s it — short, sweet and stress-free!
Here’s how our READY backflow plumbing contractors would then proceed:
1 Once on site, our certified backflow testers will initiate the backflow test by attaching a test kit to your backflow preventer. The testing process itself is short and simple. Allow between 10 to 20 minutes per tested device; more if cleaning or repair is needed.
2 With pressure test gauges connected, we will pressurize the assembly and then isolate and check each part’s performance under pressure. For check valves and other backflow preventer components to pass the test, they must be able to hold a minimum pressure.
3 For seemingly worn out backflow preventer parts, we will proceed in this order: CLEANING, REPAIR, REPLACEMENT. We’ll disassemble the device to clean its parts, and then re-test. If it fails the test again, then we’ll repair the device with the parts we have on hand, and then re-test. If replacement parts or a new device are required, we’ll first secure your approval of any additional costs and time for the needed items.
4 Upon completing our backflow preventer testing work, we will turn your water service back on, clean up our work area, fill out your water authority’s backflow test report and complete your invoice.