Spa & Hot Tub Plumbing
Fix leaking spa lines, hook up a new tub to supply and drain, and winterize the plumbing.
Gas, backflow and commercial ยท Lafayette, CO
Backflow Testing and Prevention in Lafayette, CO
A backflow preventer is a valve set that stops used water from creeping backward into the clean supply. You will typically find one on a sprinkler system, fire line or commercial supply, and it must be tested regularly.
Ask your water provider how often your device must be tested.
Where backflow devices live
- Lawn sprinkler systemsUsually a vacuum breaker or a double-check assembly.
- Fire lines and commercial waterLarger assemblies on the main.
- Spas and boilersSmaller devices at fill points.
Why backflow matters
If pressure drops in the main, water in a lawn sprinkler system or a boiler can be pulled backward into the home's supply, bringing fertilizer, soil or chemicals with it. A backflow preventer closes a valve and stops that flow.
The device only works if its internal valves seal. Rubber parts wear, springs weaken and debris sticks in a check valve. That is why testing is required for many devices.
What a test checks
A certified tester connects a gauge to the test ports on the device and measures the pressure differences across each check valve. A device that holds the expected pressures passes. One that fails needs new rubber parts or a replacement.
The tester files a report, and in many places sends it to the water provider. Keep your copy with the home's records.
In Lafayette
Irrigation, restrictions and testing in Lafayette
The City of Lafayette's utility billing page says year-round water restrictions are in effect, and the city monitors drought. A sprinkler system that leaks wastes water that the city is trying to save.
Ask the City of Lafayette how often it requires testing for your device and who receives the report. Requirements vary by device type and by property.
Cost
What affects backflow service costs
A routine test is a short visit. A repair or replacement is more.
Ask whether the test fee includes the report and a re-test after repair.
Types of device
A pressure vacuum breaker sits above the highest sprinkler head and has a cap with a vent. A double-check assembly has two check valves and test ports, and can sit below ground in a box. A reduced-pressure assembly has a relief port and is used for high-hazard cases.
The right type depends on the hazard and the local code. A plumber can tell you what is installed and whether it suits the use.
Winterizing the irrigation system
In fall, the irrigation system is shut off and blown out with compressed air, and the backflow device is drained. Water left in the device freezes and splits the body.
Open the test cocks, set the shutoff valves at 45 degrees and insulate the device if it stands above ground. Come spring, open the valves gradually to prevent water hammer.
Records and deadlines
Your water provider may send a notice when a test is due, or you may need to track it yourself. Keep every test report with the home records, along with the device's make, model and serial number from the tag on the body.
If you sell the property, a recent test report shows the buyer that the device works. If the device fails and you fix it, keep the repair invoice and the passing re-test together.
Signs a device needs attention
Water spraying from the relief port, constant dripping from the vent, or a device that sits crooked after a mower strike all call for a look. Debris in the line can hold a check valve open, which shows up as a leak at the vent.
Do not cap or plug a relief port to stop a drip. The port exists to protect the supply, and blocking it defeats the device.
Other outdoor water work
Faucet & Sink Repair
End drips, weak flow, stuck shutoffs and dripping outdoor spigots.
Commercial Plumbing
Keep plumbing running in shops, offices, restaurants and small multi-unit buildings.
Common questions
Answers on Backflow
Often once a year, but the local provider sets the rule.
It is repaired with new parts or replaced, then re-tested.
Most homes with an irrigation system have one. A plumber can check yours.
Ring at any hour. Standard tests are booked for daytime, but a device that sprays or drips deserves an immediate report. The dispatcher will describe what the contractor can do.
Backflow test due?
Call and tell the dispatcher about the device and the property, and ask about scheduling a test.