What to Do If Your Backflow Test Fails

It means one or more parts of the assembly did not hold the readings it is required to hold. A check valve may not be sealing tightly, or on a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assembly, the relief valve may be opening at the wrong point or not closing all the way.

A failed test does not mean anything bad has happened to your water. It means the assembly might not stop backflow if the conditions for it came along. That is exactly what the yearly test is there to catch.

The usual causes are simple wear and tear:

• Debris, like sand or scale from the water line, caught on a check valve seat.
• Worn or hardened rubber discs and seals.
• Weak or broken springs.
• A relief valve that will not seal on an RPZ.
• Freeze damage on outdoor assemblies, which can crack the body or push out parts.
• Shutoff valves that no longer close fully, so the assembly cannot be tested properly.

Most of the time, yes. The parts that wear out are made to be replaced. A certified repair technician cleans the assembly, replaces worn parts with manufacturer-approved repair parts, and puts it back together.

We are certified for both backflow testing (#ATT-1102) and backflow repair (#RT-466). That means a failed assembly can typically be repaired on-site, often during the same visit as the test.

Replacement is the better choice when:

• The body of the assembly is cracked, often from a freeze.
• The shutoff valves are seized and cannot be rebuilt.
• The assembly keeps failing year after year.
• Repair parts are no longer made for that model.
• Your water provider requires a different type of assembly for the hazard.

If the assembly cannot be repaired, we will walk you through replacement options and let you decide.

The assembly gets retested with a calibrated test kit. Once it passes, the updated report is submitted to the water authority. Your water provider then has a passing result on file, and you are set until next year's test.

That depends on your water provider. The notice you received usually lists the deadline for a passing test. Do not wait until the last week. Properties that do not comply may receive a compliance notice or have water service interrupted, and a business cannot afford either.

Yes. If another tester failed your assembly, any certified repair technician can do the repair and retest. Just make sure whoever you hire is certified for repair and testing, so the retest report will be accepted. Bring the failed test report along, because it shows what did not pass.

Protect outdoor assemblies from freezing with an insulated cover or enclosure, and drain irrigation assemblies before hard freezes if your system allows it. Keep the area around the assembly clear so it can be reached and inspected. And test every year on time, because small problems are cheaper to fix than a cracked body.