Backflow Assemblies Tested, Repaired and Reported on Time
Annual testing of reduced pressure, double check and vacuum breaker assemblies, with rebuilds done on the spot and paperwork sent where it needs to go.
Your water supplier requires testable backflow assemblies to pass an inspection every year, and missed deadlines can lead to notices or a water shutoff. We test, repair and document backflow devices for homes and businesses across Central Point, OR.
- Serving Central Point, OR since 2008
- NATE and EPA 608 certified
- 24/7 emergency dispatch
- Flat-rate pricing approved first
Why Backflow Prevention Exists
Water in the public main is kept under pressure so that it always flows toward your building. If that pressure drops, because of a main break, heavy firefighting demand or a large valve failure, water can reverse direction. When it does, whatever is connected to your plumbing can be pulled back into the drinking water supply. Irrigation lines carrying fertilizer, boilers with treatment chemicals, fire sprinkler water that has sat in pipes for years and commercial equipment of every kind are all potential sources of contamination.
A backflow prevention assembly is a set of spring-loaded check valves, and in some designs a relief valve, installed where the risk exists. It allows water to flow in only one direction. Because springs weaken, rubber seats harden and debris lodges in valves, these assemblies can fail without showing any outward sign. That is why water suppliers and plumbing codes require testable assemblies to be checked by a certified tester when installed, after repair and at regular intervals, typically once a year.
The annual test is not a formality. It is the only way to confirm the device is still protecting the water your neighbors drink.
Received a backflow testing notice? Call to book the test and a flat-rate price before your deadline.
Common Assemblies and What the Test Checks
Each assembly type has its own test procedure. These are the ones we see most often.
| Assembly | Where you find it | What the test verifies |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced pressure zone (RP) | Boilers, commercial kitchens, medical and industrial connections, high-hazard irrigation | Both check valves hold and the relief valve opens at 2.0 psid or higher |
| Double check valve (DC) | Fire sprinkler lines, lower-hazard commercial connections | Each check valve holds tight at a minimum of 1.0 psid |
| Pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) | Residential and commercial irrigation systems | The air inlet opens and the check valve holds at 1.0 psid |
| Spill-resistant vacuum breaker (SVB) | Irrigation and indoor process connections | Air inlet and check function without spilling during normal operation |
The water supplier decides which assembly is required based on the hazard at the connection. If your existing device does not match the hazard, we explain what the supplier is likely to require before any work is quoted.
Our Backflow Test Visit
A proper test is a precise, documented procedure performed with a calibrated differential pressure gauge.
Identify the assembly and its record
We record the make, model, size and serial number and compare them with the supplier's records so the report matches the device on file.
Notify and shut down briefly
The test requires closing the downstream shutoff valve, so we let you know when water service to that line will be interrupted, usually for a short period.
Connect the test kit
Hoses from a calibrated differential gauge attach to the test cocks, and each is flushed to clear debris before readings are taken.
Measure check valve performance
Each check valve's pressure differential is read and compared with the minimum the standard requires for that assembly type.
Test the relief valve or air inlet
On RP assemblies the relief valve opening point is verified, and on vacuum breakers the air inlet is checked for proper opening.
Restore service and record
Valves are returned to their normal positions, water is restored and the readings are entered on the report form your supplier requires.
When an Assembly Fails
A failed test usually comes down to a few causes. Debris from the water main or from recent plumbing work can hold a check valve open. Rubber discs and seats harden or become grooved over time. Springs lose tension. Relief valves on RP assemblies discharge constantly when the first check leaks, which is often the first sign a homeowner or facility manager notices.
Most failures are corrected with a rebuild: cleaning the internals and replacing the rubber parts, springs or seats with manufacturer repair kits. We carry kits for the common brands and sizes, so many repairs are done during the same visit. The assembly is then retested, because a passing test after repair is what the water supplier needs to see.
When an assembly is badly corroded, frozen and cracked, or no longer supported by the manufacturer, replacement costs less over time than repeated repairs. We quote both options when that decision is close and never proceed without your approval.
Signs a Backflow Device Needs Attention Before Its Test
Relief valve spitting or running
Water discharging from the relief port of an RP assembly points to a leaking check valve or pressure fluctuations upstream.
Visible cracks after a cold snap
Outdoor assemblies that were not drained or protected can split their bodies or bonnets when water inside expands.
Sprinkler heads weak after repairs
A partially closed shutoff or debris in the assembly can restrict flow through irrigation zones.
Test cocks leaking or seized
Corroded test cocks make the test impossible and usually need replacement before readings can be taken.
Protecting Outdoor Assemblies Through Winter
Irrigation backflow devices sit above ground and hold water inside their bodies. When temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands, cracking brass bodies and plastic bonnets. The repair after a hard freeze is often a full replacement, so prevention is worth the effort.
Before the first freeze, the irrigation supply should be shut off inside, the assembly drained through its test cocks and the valves left partly open so trapped water can escape. Insulated covers help but do not replace draining. For RP assemblies that must stay in service all year, such as those protecting a commercial building, a heated and drained enclosure is the right answer. When pipes elsewhere on the property are vulnerable, our Frozen Pipe Repair team can help plan protection for them as well.
Reports Filed Where They Belong
The test is only complete when your water supplier has the results. We fill out the supplier's required form with every reading, the gauge calibration information and the tester's certification details, then submit it through the method the supplier uses. You receive a copy for your records, which is useful if a notice arrives before the supplier's system catches up.
Backflow Testing Questions
Most water suppliers require testing once a year, plus a test after installation and after any repair. Some high-hazard connections may be scheduled more often. Your supplier's notice lists the due date.
Testing must be performed by a certified backflow tester using a calibrated gauge. Water suppliers generally accept reports only from testers who meet their certification requirements.
Only the line served by the assembly is affected, and only while the test is running. For irrigation that usually goes unnoticed. For a building's main supply, we schedule around your operations.
We explain the reading that failed, quote a flat-rate repair, rebuild or replace the parts with your approval, retest and submit the passing report.
Services that pair with Backflow Testing
Get Your Backflow Test Done Before the Deadline
Tell us the assembly type and your due date. We schedule the test, repair anything that fails at a price you approve first, retest and submit the results to your water supplier.