What Causes Backflow and Why It Matters
Backflow happens when pressure in the public main drops or your private line pushes water backward. A sudden main break, a fire hydrant draw or a pump on your property can reverse the normal direction.
Without a working device, water that has sat in irrigation lines, boilers or fixtures can enter the drinking supply. That is a health issue, not just a plumbing nuisance.
Signs Your Backflow Preventer Needs Attention
Water weeping from the relief port, a device that will not hold pressure or a failed annual test tag are the usual warnings. Discolored water at one tap after a main repair can also point to backflow.
Some devices discharge a small amount during normal operation. A steady drip or a sudden spray is different and needs a plumber.
Testing, Repair or Replacement: What Applies When
A device that fails its test is often repairable with a rebuild kit if the body is sound. Cracked housings or obsolete models are usually replaced instead.
We test, document the result and carry out the repair or replacement the device needs.