BACKFLOW TESTING
& REPAIR
Your irrigation backflow preventer keeps lawn water, fertilizer and soil from being pulled back into your home's drinking water. We help with required testing, repair assemblies that leak or fail and replace units that are past saving, so your system stays safe and in line with your water provider's rules.
WHAT A BACKFLOW PREVENTER DOES
Your sprinkler system is connected directly to the same water supply that feeds your kitchen tap. Under normal conditions, water only flows one way: out to the sprinklers. But a sudden drop in supply pressure, like a water main break or firefighting nearby, can reverse that flow and siphon water from the irrigation lines back toward the house. That water can carry fertilizer, pesticides, soil and bacteria.
A backflow prevention assembly stops that from happening. It uses check valves, and on some models a relief valve or air inlet, to make sure water can only move in one direction. On most Texas irrigation systems, it's the brass or bronze device near the house or the water meter, usually with two small shutoff handles and several test cocks.
Because these devices protect the public water supply, water providers and cities set rules for installing and testing them. In Texas, tests must be performed by a backflow prevention assembly tester licensed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and results are submitted on the form your water provider requires.
Installation height and location also matter. A pressure vacuum breaker, for example, has to sit above the highest sprinkler head on the system to work properly. When we see an assembly installed in a way that doesn't meet requirements, we'll point it out and explain the options.
Signs Your Backflow Preventer Needs Attention
- Water dripping or spraying from the assembly
- Water discharging from the relief valve on an RPZ
- Low pressure across every zone
- A notice from your water provider that a test is due
- A failed test result
- Cracked body or bonnet after a freeze
- Stiff, stuck or leaking shutoff handles
- Corroded, damaged or missing test cocks
HOW BACKFLOW SERVICE WORKS
Whether you need a test, a repair or a replacement, the process is straightforward.
Identify the Assembly
We identify the type of assembly (PVB, double check or RPZ), its size and condition, and note any visible leaks, damage or freeze cracks.
Review Your Requirements
We look at what your water provider or city requires, such as test frequency, forms and deadlines, so the work lines up with their rules.
Test the Assembly
The assembly is tested with calibrated gauges by a TCEQ-licensed tester to confirm each check valve and relief component is working within required limits.
Repair What Fails
If a component fails, we rebuild it with the correct repair kit: new checks, springs, seats, O-rings or poppets, depending on the model.
Replace if Needed
Assemblies that are cracked, badly corroded or not practical to repair are replaced with an appropriate model, installed to local requirements.
Retest & Document
Repaired or new assemblies are retested and the results are documented on your water provider's form so you have a record.
BACKFLOW ASSEMBLIES WE SERVICE
Different properties use different assemblies depending on local rules and the level of protection required.
Pressure Vacuum Breakers (PVB)
Common on residential irrigation. A PVB uses a spring-loaded check and an air inlet, and must be installed above the highest sprinkler head.
Double Check Assemblies
Two independent check valves in series, often installed below grade in a box. Used where local rules allow for irrigation protection.
Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
RPZ assemblies add a relief valve between two checks and provide a high level of protection. They're required in some areas and for some properties.
Repair Kits & Rebuilds
Checks, springs, seats, O-rings and bonnets replaced to restore a failing assembly without replacing the whole unit.
Enclosures & Insulation
Insulated covers and enclosures help protect exposed assemblies from freezes and from damage.
Shutoff & Test Cock Repair
Leaking or seized shutoff valves and damaged test cocks replaced so the assembly can be tested and isolated properly.
BACKFLOW AND THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM
On many Texas homes the backflow preventer sits above ground, exposed to the weather. That makes it one of the first parts of the system to crack in a hard freeze. Insulating it, and knowing how to shut off and drain it before severe cold, can prevent an expensive replacement. See winterization and spring startup.
The assembly also affects the whole system's pressure. A partly closed shutoff handle or a failing check can reduce pressure to every zone, making heads spray weakly across the yard. When pressure is low everywhere, the backflow preventer is one of the first places we look.
Backflow work is also a good time to check the rest of the supply side. Leaking unions, a corroded supply line or a shutoff that won't close fully can all be fixed at the same time, which saves a second visit and makes the system easier to shut down in an emergency.
What We Check Around the Assembly
- Shutoff handles fully open after testing
- Supply pressure to the irrigation system
- Freeze damage and insulation
- Leaks at unions and connections
- Correct height for PVB installations
- Clear access for testing and service
TESTING RULES VARY BY WATER PROVIDER
There isn't one testing schedule for every Texas property. Your city or water provider decides when testing is required, which forms to use and where results go. Many require a test when an assembly is installed or repaired and on a recurring basis after that. If you've received a notice, keep it handy and share the deadline with us.
It's also worth knowing where your assembly's shutoff valves are. If the assembly is leaking or cracked, closing the shutoffs, or the irrigation supply valve, stops the water until it can be repaired.
If you're not sure what kind of assembly you have or when it was last tested, we can identify it and help you figure out what your provider needs.
BACKFLOW SERVICE ACROSS OUR TEXAS SERVICE AREAS
We provide backflow preventer testing coordination, repair and replacement throughout our Texas service areas, including Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston Metro communities as well as the Austin and San Antonio areas. We service residential and commercial irrigation assemblies. See all the cities we serve or request service online.
BACKFLOW TESTING & REPAIR FAQ
MORE WAYS WE PROTECT YOUR YARD
Winterization & Spring Startup
Freeze prep in the fall and a careful system restart in spring.
Learn moreLeak Detection & Line Repair
Hidden main and lateral line leaks found and repaired.
Learn moreNew Sprinkler System Installation
New irrigation systems designed around your yard, soil and plants.
Learn moreBACKFLOW TEST
DUE?
Got a notice, a leak or a failed test? We'll help you get the assembly tested, repaired or replaced.