Where backflow devices are found
- Restaurant kitchens with chemical dispensers and carbonators.
- Medical and dental offices with treatment equipment on the water line.
- Buildings with boiler make-up water or fire sprinkler connections.
- Irrigation systems on plazas and condo grounds.
Inside a yearly assembly check
- Notify the occupants, since water is briefly shut off at the device.
- Connect the test kit to the device's test cocks.
- Read differential pressure on check one, check two and the point where the relief port starts to spit.
- Log those numbers on the report sheet, reopen the supply and watch the fixtures run.
Clues pointing to backflow assembly checks and rebuilds
- Water meter spinning with every tap closed.
- Green crust or pinholes on old copper.
- Brown rings growing on drywall under a bathroom.
- Pressure dropping when two taps run together.
Failed readings and rebuilds
Failures are usually caused by debris on a check seat, a torn rubber part or a weak spring. We rebuild with the maker's repair kit where one exists, retest, and replace the assembly only when the body itself is damaged.
Markham operates a cross-connection control and backflow prevention program for properties with a risk of contamination. Check the current requirements and filing process with the city before your due date.
Keeping records straight
- Keep each test report with the building's maintenance file.
- Note the device make, size and serial number in one place.
- Book the next test before the current one expires.
Straight from the phone log
How long does a backflow test take?
Most single-device tests take well under an hour, including the shut-off and restore.
What happens if the device fails?
We explain which part failed, quote the rebuild or replacement, and retest once it is repaired.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.