Where backflow devices are found
- Main service entries in plazas, offices and industrial units.
- Boiler and chiller make-up lines carrying treatment chemicals.
- Irrigation systems with fertilizer injectors or buried heads.
- Fire sprinkler connections with standing water in the lines.
- Restaurant equipment: carbonators, dishwashers and chemical dispensers.
What a test involves
- We note the make, model, size and serial number of the assembly.
- We attach our calibrated gauge set to each test port.
- We confirm both checks hold tight and the relief valve opens at the right point.
- We record the readings and pass or fail on a report for your file.
- If it fails, we explain which part let go and quote the rebuild.
Water is usually off for the test itself, typically well under an hour on a common assembly. We book it when the building is quiet.
Signs of a failing assembly
- Water dripping or dumping from the relief port.
- Pressure drops on floors served after the device.
- Rust, frost damage or a missing test cock cap.
- No test tag or report from the past year.
Repairs and installs
- Rubber kits and springs for double check and reduced-pressure assemblies.
- Full replacement where bodies are cracked or parts are discontinued.
- Heated enclosures or relocation where a device keeps freezing.
- Drain provision for the relief discharge so it never floods a room.
The Town of Newmarket has operated a cross-connection control program under which many non-residential properties must fit approved devices, have them tested, and file the results. Ask the Town for today's deadlines and submission forms, and keep a copy of every report.
Questions people ask us
How often must a backflow preventer be tested?
Most programs expect a yearly test, plus a fresh one whenever the device is repaired or moved. Confirm the current requirement for your property with the Town.
Does a house ever need one of these tests?
Usually not, though some with irrigation systems or private wells may. Call and we will talk through your setup.