What is a backflow device?

To answer that question, we must first talk about the phenomenon of back flow.

What is backflow?

A backflow condition occurs when there is a sudden drop in water pressure in the piping system which carries your water from the city water supply to your home or business.  This actually happens more often than you would think.  Now imagine contaminated water from your home or business suddenly flowing back towards the city’s potable water supply.  Obviously this would be catastrophic if it were not controlled in some way, and a backflow device is the way it is controlled.

How do backflow devices work?

Back flow devices have sensors, and those sensors shut down the flow of water by either using a valve or by creating an air gap which blocks the flow of water.  They are remarkably simple in design but also remarkably efficient in their performance, especially the ones produced by trusted backflow device manufacturers like Ames Backflow Devices or Febco Backflow Preventers. These are trusted names that all backflow testers are aware of and trust.

Who are these backflow testers?

Every city in most states has a backflow prevention program, and every city also has a list of backflow testing companies who have employees/owners who are specially trained in the installation and repair of backflow systems.

Who must have backflow testing done?

The specifics of backflow regulations differs slightly for each city, but most, if not all cities in the United States require yearly backflow inspections on commercial buildings, and also annual testing for residential buildings which have fire and irrigation systems.  The reason for this is because more water is used by commercial buildings and homes which have fire and irrigation systems, and more water means a higher chance of backflow occurring.

How does this backflow inspection system work?

Each year it is the business owner’s responsibility to have an inspection of the backflow system on his/her property. They must contact a licensed and approved backflow tester, and that tester must then conduct a thorough and approved backflow test.  After the test is completed, forms must be filled out and filed with the city by the backflow tester, and this is all repeated the following year, and the following year, etc.

After the initial testing, an experienced backflow tester will then make a computer entry for a particular company, and then each year will send a reminder to that property owner that an inspection is due.  The city, of course, also keeps records, and if the annual inspection/testing is not done, fines are levied upon that particular property owner.

If you have any questions about backflow testing, we would be happy to answer them for you. We are City Backflow Testing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area.  Our number is (817) 996-2000, and we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.  And if you live in the Greater Fort Worth area, and you need an experienced backflow tester, we would be happy to give you a quote for our services.  We install, inspect, and repair all backflow devices and systems, and we are trusted backflow inspectors for most cities in the Fort Worth area.