What a backflow preventer protects against
Water normally moves from the city main to your taps. If pressure in the main drops, because of a break or heavy fire flow, water in your pipes can be pulled backward. Without protection, anything connected to your plumbing can be drawn into the supply: fertilizer in an irrigation line, boiler chemicals, or dirty water from a hose left in a bucket.
A backflow assembly uses check valves or an air gap to make that impossible. Because the parts are springs and rubber seals, they wear, and a device that worked last year may not hold today.
Backflow assemblies are made to published standards, such as ASSE 1013 for reduced pressure assemblies, ASSE 1015 for double check assemblies and ASSE 1020 for pressure vacuum breakers, and the plumbing code (IPC) that El Reno adopts requires protection wherever a cross connection exists.
Common assemblies and where they are used
| Assembly | Where you see it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hose bib vacuum breaker | Outdoor faucets | A small cap that should never be removed |
| Pressure vacuum breaker | Lawn irrigation | Must sit above the highest sprinkler head |
| Double check assembly | Lower hazard commercial lines | Tested on a schedule |
| Reduced pressure zone | Higher hazard commercial and some irrigation | Discharges water when it fails |
| Air gap | Sinks, drains and appliances | No moving parts |
What to do when a backflow assembly is leaking or spraying
Steps to take
A reduced pressure assembly is designed to dump some water when it senses a problem. That is a sign it is working, but a continuous discharge means something has failed.
- Close the shutoff valve upstream of the assembly if you can reach it safely.
- Keep the area clear of electrical equipment, since the discharge can be heavy.
- Do not drink or use water from a line whose assembly you think has failed until it is checked.
- Call the 24/7 line and describe what you see.
Assembly leaking or overdue?
Call the line. A licensed plumber can be scheduled the same day when available.
Who requires testing and who may do it
Requirements come from the water supplier and the state, and they vary by the type of hazard. Many utilities require a test when a device is installed and on a regular schedule afterward, and they require the tester to hold a certification. Ask the City of El Reno at 405-262-4070 whether your property needs a test and what paperwork to file.
Do not assume a plumber can pull a permit or file a report in every case. Ask whoever you hire whether they hold the testing certification the city expects, and keep the test report with your property records.
Where homes commonly have backflow devices
- Lawn sprinkler systems, usually at the house or at the main line.
- Outdoor hose bibs, with a built-in vacuum breaker.
- Home fire sprinkler systems.
- A boiler or a water treatment loop connected to the supply.
- A shop, pool or detached building with its own water connection.
What affects the cost of testing and repair
Backflow testing questions
Yes. The line is answered 24/7. A licensed plumber is scheduled the same day when one is available. Close the upstream valve if it is safe.
It depends on the utility and the hazard. Many require an annual test. Ask the City of El Reno at 405-262-4070.
A worn seal, a stuck check valve or a debris problem can cause it. A reduced pressure device may discharge briefly when pressure changes. Continuous flow needs repair.
No. It protects your drinking water. If it is damaged, replace it.
Often yes. Ask the city and the plumber who installed the system.
Related services
Business plumbing
Commercial plumbing covers restaurants and shops.
Service line
Water line repair handles the pipe before the device.
New hookups
Plumbing installation covers new connections.