Are you in the market for a backflow preventer repair technician?  Do you even know what one is? This article will help you with the second question, and point you in the right direction for the first.  If you have further questions after reading this, call (817) 996-2000.  We are City Backflow Testing, and backflow prevention is our business.

What does a backflow preventer repair technician do?

Backflow prevention is something that happens every single day in every single city across the United States, but few people are even aware of it.  Backflow prevention technicians are hard at work in every city, doing their backflow repair work, again in relative anonymity.

As the name suggests, a backflow preventer prevents backflow from happening.  Backflow is the reversal of water flow within a city’s water system.  In other words, backflow is the flow of polluted water from a home or business back into the city’s potable water supply.  Obviously this would be an extreme health risk if it were not for the Clean Water Act of 1972 and regulations stemming from that act.

Backflow is prevented by use of backflow devices, known as backflow preventors. They are mechanisms consisting of one-way valves which do not allow polluted water to reverse flow, and most cities require that those backflow preventers be inspected annually.  At the time of the backflow inspection, any backflow repairs, or a brand new backflow installation, will be made by the licensed and certified backflow technician.

How do you know how to find a backflow preventer?

Every city has a list of licensed and certified backflow technicians.  Despite what you might think, not all plumbers are licensed in backflow repair. It takes special training and schooling to gain that certification.  Simply contact your city’s Health Department, or Public Works Department, and a list of certified backflow technicians can be obtained.  Those on that list will then be required to do the following for a backflow inspection:

Notify- Notify the customer we are here for testing

• Identify- Make sure serial number is correct and that we have the right assembly
• Inspect- Make sure there are 4 test ports and 2 Shut off handles
• Observe- Attach test equipment and follow proper testing  procedures  for this assembly
• Test Reports- Enter values for the  assemblies
• Turn in all test Reports to the local water Purveyor or City

Backflow prevention also includes only using approved backflow parts, parts made by the leading backflow parts companies like FEBCO and Ames.

How do you know if you need a backflow inspection?  Again, the Public Works Department will have that information for you.  Generally speaking, commercial buildings need backflow inspections, as do properties with an irrigation system. But every city is different, so you really do need to call your city official’s to make sure of your status.

Again, you can give us a call if any of this is confusing. We are City Backflow Testing, and we handle backflow problems in most cities in Tarrant County, Texas.  If we can’t answer your backflow question, the answer probably doesn’t exist.