Chris' Plumbing & Backflower Preventer Services

What is a Backflow Preventer?

Chris’ Plumbing specializes in the inspection, repair and installation of backflow preventer assemblies. A backflow prevention assembly prevents the water in a private plumbing system from flowing back into the public water system. A backflow prevention device is used to safeguard drinking water supplies from contamination or pollution caused by backflow. Backflow prevention assemblies protect against both back-siphonage and back-pressure of contaminated water into the public potable water supply.

Public water supply systems normally maintain enough pressure to enable water to flow from the tap, shower, or other water fixture. However, water pressure can be reduced or fails from a water main burst, pipe freeze, or unexpected, high demand on a water system. In cases like these, reduced water pressure in the pipe can create a condition where contaminated water is drawn into the system from the soil, storage tanks, leaking sewage or other sources.

Backflow Preventer Services

Backflow Preventer Inspections
Backflow testing is required to be done every year or when repaired or replaced. A backflow preventer inspection must be made by a licensed Louisiana state plumbing board plumber with a Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS) endorsement on their license, or a individual with a tester only certificate. ( Can only test not repair or replace.)
Backflow Preventer Repairs
Following a failed field test inspection, a backflow preventer must be returned to its original factory working specifications. Backflow preventer repairs must be made by a licensed Louisiana state plumbing board plumber with a Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS) endorsement on their license. Someone with a tester only certificate cannot repair, replace or install a backflow preventer assembly.
Backflow Preventer Installations
The purpose of a backflow preventer devices is to prevent contaminated water from getting into the drinking water system. Installation of a backflow must be done by a licensed Louisiana state plumbing board plumber with a Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS) endorsement on their Master plumbing license. A technician with a tester only certificate cannot repair, replace or install a backflow preveter assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Backflow?

Backflow is the reversed flow of water into water lines that can contaminate drinking water. Municipalities control water quality up to the point of a private property. After that point, water quality can be degraded or contaminated within a private property. When backflow occurs, water from inside a private property can be pushed or pulled back into the community’s drinking water supply. On a smaller scale, backflow can be isolated within a single property when water from a source, like a sprinkler system, pushes or pulls water back into the property’s drinking water supply.

What Causes Backflow?

Backflow happens when water is pulled (backsiphonage) or pushed (backpressure) into a plumbing system. Backsiphonage occurs when a “reverse siphon” is caused due to pressure fluctuation or loss of water pressure. Water main breaks or sudden, large water uses, like open fire hydrants, can cause backsiphonage to happen.
Backpressure is caused when the force of water at a private property overcomes city water pressure. Generally, backpressure is attributed to pumps, but can also be caused by tall buildings (due to the height and weight of the given column of water).
Backflow prevention assemblies are, like their name, used to prevent backsiphonage and/or backpressure.

What is a Backflow Preventer System?

Do Backflow Preventer Systems have to be Inspected?

Who Can Inspect a Backflow Preventer System?

What Happens if an Inspection isn't Done?

How Long Will an Inspection Take?

How Long Will the Water Be Off?

How Much Does an Inspection Cost?

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Types of Backflow Peventers

Reduced Pressure
An RP is a mechanical backflow preventer that consists of two independently acting, spring-loaded check valves with a hydraulically operating, mechanically independent, spring-loaded pressure differential relief valve between the check valves and below the first check valve. It includes shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and is equipped with test cocks. An RP is effective against backpressure backflow and backsiphonage and may be used to isolate health or nonhealth hazards.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker
A PVB is a mechanical backflow preventer that consists of an independently acting, spring-loaded check valve and an independently acting, spring-loaded, air inlet valve on the discharge side of the check valve. It includes shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and is eqipped with test cocks. The PVB may be used to isolate health or nonhealth hazards but is effective against backsiphonage only.
Double Check Valve
A DC is a mechanical backflow preventer that consists of two independently acting, spring-loaded check valves. It includes shutoff valves at each end of the assembly and is equipped with test cocks. A DC is effective against backpressure backflow and backsiphonage but should be used to isolate only non-health hazards.