Backflow repair refers to the repairing of backflow devices and the entire backflow system at your home or business.  Because this is such an important  and complex system with regards to a clean water supply, it should always be done by a certified backflow technician.

The first step in any backflow repair is to always conduct a field test on the backflow preventer and the backflow system to determine if a repair is needed.  If the system is not functioning properly, a diagnostic test is done to determine what the exact nature of the problem is.  At that point the necessary repair or replacement is done.  Usually the most common problem is the accumulation of dirt and debris that flows through the pipeline.  This debris can foul up and block the check valve, which in turn will hinder the valve movement, the opening and closing of it.  In harsher climates it is also possible for a back flow preventer to freeze in cold weather, or salt air in Gulf States can help rust parts and shorten the life of a good preventer.

There are basically eight different types of residential backflow preventer in use.  They are the Double Check Valve Assembly, the Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly, the Pressure Vacuum Breaker, the Spill Proof Vacuum Breaker, the RP Detector Assembly, the DC Detector Assembly, the Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker, and the Dual Check.  As you might suspect, each of these backflow devices have several internal components, the most important of which is the check valve, which consists of a poppet, spring, guide, seat, and seating-surface.  All of these parts can experience normal wear and require service and/or replacement.

And why is all of this so important? Why care about backflow prevention? What is backflow?

Well, first of all, you have to care about it because backflow preventers, their maintenance and inspection, is required by law.  However, on a more personal note, backflow is a very serious problem which, if left unattended, can cause contamination of the public potable water supply.

It does something like this . . .

Under normal conditions, water flows from the city water supply to your home or business by means of water pressure.  Pressure is supplied by the city and that pressure forces water to flow through the pipes to your home.  But there are some occasions, like when there is a major fire and fire hydrants are opened, when water pressure drops, and it may drop so much as to reverse the flow of water, which will then flow, contaminated, from your home or business back to the potable water supply.  There is also backflow preventer leaking which, of course, must be fixed.

This must be avoided at all costs, obviously.

Thus the need for certified and licensed backflow preventer repairmen and technicians.  Backflow prevention certification is a must when choosing a technician.

City Backflow Testing has been serving much of the State of Texas for a good number of years now. They are your trusted backflow prevention center, licensed, certified, and ready to handle any problem in your backflow preventer system.