How To Repair A Backflow Preventer

If your backflow preventer isn't performing too as it should, you may exist forced to make a difficult decision. Should you repair or replace it? There are several factors to consider. To aid with this process we've outlined several tips and best practices for backflow preventer maintenance. Backflow preventer in above-ground enclosure

With proper maintenance and annual testing, backflow prevention assemblies tin can terminal for many years. But mechanical backflow prevention assemblies have internal seals, springs, and moving parts that are bailiwick to bottleneck, wear or fatigue. And in that location will come a time when you must decide what's more than cost-effective: Repairing or replacing?

And so, nosotros asked Sean Cleary, vice president of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the Backflow Prevention Institute® (BPI) his thoughts. Cleary has been in the backflow business for over 40 years. He's a licensed master plumber who'south worked in all phases of the cross-connection, plumbing, and mechanical industries. Permit'due south have a look at some of the factors he says you lot must consider when you're deciding whether to repair or replace your backflow preventer.

Size of Your Backflow Preventer Valve

"One of the first things to consider is the size of your valve," Cleary says. "A lot of times information technology's simply easier (and more affordable) to replace a smaller valve that's bad," Cleary says. "I know of a few plumbing contractors who stock their service vans with a half-inch, three-quarter, and one-inch assemblies, and if they have a failure while they're doing a test, it's more economical for the client to bandy the valve out."

Cleary also says it tin be tough to go parts for an assembly, depending on your location. That likewise can factor into the determination of replacing a smaller valve rather than repairing information technology.

When it comes to a larger valve, Cleary says at that place are other things to consider. "The cost of replacing a larger valve is then much more than the cost of replacing a smaller assembly," Cleary says. "Yous really accept to look at the condition of the valve."

Cleary says even if you can repair a larger valve, it may not hateful that you should repair it. "You lot may have a 35-year-old valve with its epoxy coating flaking off, and even though information technology may just cost a few hundred dollars to repair, y'all may be amend off installing a more mod valve that volition exist less expensive to maintain over the years." Cleary says. "Today's backflow preventers are shorter, they're lighter, there are fewer parts and they're easier to maintain."

Condition of Your Valve

When you're trying to determine if yous should repair or supercede, the status of your backflow preventer is one of the biggest considerations. Cleary says if you take a smaller valve whose checks are breakable and ready to cleft, you should consider replacing it. "If I have to supervene upon two checks, along with the rest of the rubber parts and everything else, it may be less expensive to supercede the valves."

Another factor to consider with smaller valves is where information technology's been installed. Take swimming pool equipment rooms, for instance. "The environment in these rooms may cause valve handles to rust away and touch the associates trunk itself," Cleary says.

In addition to the epoxy coating flaking off a larger valve, you should also consider the interior conditions of the valve — the valve brand upward. "If you have a larger valve with the epoxy coating coming off, the O ring won't make the proper seal. At that place'southward no way to set up the epoxy blanket, and the water is going to get-go eating at the valve torso itself," Cleary says.

Cleary adds that you too accept to pay attention to the shut-off valves on larger backflow preventers. If they're non holding properly, you lot accept to look at what's going on internally. "If you accept a 30-year-erstwhile valve that needs thousands of dollars in repairs, it's probably time to replace it."

The goal is to eliminate the take chances of a cross-connectedness. Whatever temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or the customer's potable water organisation and any source or system containing nonpotable h2o or other substances tin can be devastating.

Location of Your Valve

Another thing that may gene into your decision to repair or replace is where your valve is located. Backflow preventers in an outdoor, above-ground enclosure are easier to work on. "More valves are going in enclosures, more than valves are going above ground, and to be honest, that's where they belong," Cleary says.

A properly designed enclosure will accept removable panels and a removable roof to make it much easier to test, repair or replace your backflow preventer. "Placing an approved backflow assembly in an outdoor enclosure makes it easier to keep upward with annual testing and repairs considering it'southward more attainable," Cleary says. Placing your backflow preventer in an enclosure too helps to minimize alluvion risks.

Ask the water jurisdiction to provide a standard item for outdoor, above-ground backflow preventer installations. And for more than information on enclosures, our "Guide to Industrial Enclosure Design" can aid. Information technology will provide an overview of the key design considerations including size and strength, climate command, admission and maintenance.

aluminum enclosures

Topics: Backflow Preventers