Backflow Prevention Testing in Ajax

Telltales that call for backflow prevention testing

Most single-family homes in Ajax do not have a testable backflow device. The people who call us usually have a lawn irrigation system, a home business with special equipment, a boiler with chemical treatment, or a letter from the Region of Durham asking for a test report on a commercial or multi-unit property.

• A lawn sprinkler system tied into the house supply
• A notice from the Region requesting a test
• A boiler or hydronic heating system fed from the water line
• A new device that needs a first test after installation

How we do the work

Testing is done with calibrated gauges by a certified backflow tester. The tester checks each valve inside the device to confirm it closes and holds as it should, then records the readings. If the device passes, the report goes to the property owner and, where required, to the Region. If it fails, the usual fix is cleaning or replacing internal parts and testing again.

For new installations, we look at the hazard the device has to protect against, pick the right type, and fit it with shut-offs and room for future testing.

On Ajax streets

The Region of Durham runs a cross-connection control program that focuses on industrial, commercial and institutional properties. Homeowners with irrigation systems should still have a proper vacuum breaker or backflow device, and every outdoor tap should have a vacuum breaker on the hose bib.

Price swings on

A test on an accessible device is routine. Repairs depend on the parts needed, and new installations depend on the size of the line and the device type required.

Worth asking the plumber

• Does my property need a testable device, or only a simple vacuum breaker?
• Who files the test report?
• How often should it be retested?

Common devices

Homes and small buildings use a handful of device types. Hose bib vacuum breakers are the simplest. Pressure vacuum breakers often protect lawn irrigation. Double check valve assemblies and reduced pressure zone assemblies are found on larger or higher-risk systems. Only the testable kinds need annual checks with gauges, and each has its own rules on where it can be installed.

Devices exposed to frost need draining or insulating before winter, since a cracked body means a full replacement.

We keep a copy of each test on file, so next year we know the device, its location and its history before we arrive. That shortens the visit and makes any change in performance easy to spot.

Call ahead of any deadline in a Region notice so there is time for repairs if needed.