Backflow Testing in Centreville, VA

Signs it is time for backflow service

• A year has passed since the sprinkler assembly was last tested, or nobody knows when it was
• The device near the foundation drips or sprays while zones are running
• You moved into a subdivision off Braddock Road or Route 29 and the irrigation came with the house but no paperwork
• A landscaper added zones or moved the assembly
• The body or a test cock cracked over the winter
• A pool, hot tub fill or other equipment was connected to the household supply

Local conditions in Centreville

Centreville is the most populous community in Fairfax County and is not incorporated, so County agencies handle both utilities and permits. Fairfax Water supplies most of the county, drawing on the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir, and works with Fairfax County Land Development Services on cross-connection control. The County's rules apply to testable assemblies on lawn irrigation, in-ground pools, directly connected hot tubs and fire sprinklers, and the tester must be on the County's authorized vendor list. Installing or replacing an irrigation assembly also needs a plumbing permit through the County's PLUS system.

Housing here is mostly newer, with a median year built of 1991, and many homes off I-66 and Route 28 got their sprinkler systems when the subdivisions were built. That means a lot of original assemblies are now old enough for rubber checks, springs and seals to wear out. Fairfax Water reports moderately hard to hard water, so mineral deposits on check seats are another reason a device stops holding a clean reading.

What affects the cost

• Pass or fail. A clean test is quick. A failed check or relief valve adds a rebuild and a second test.
• Assembly type. A reduced pressure assembly has more internal parts than a pressure vacuum breaker or a double check.
• Replacement and permit. A new assembly involves parts, labor and a County plumbing permit.
• Access and freeze damage. A device buried in shrubs or split by ice takes longer to deal with.

What happens when you call

You are connected with an independent plumber who works in Centreville. Mention what the assembly protects, when it was last tested and whether a notice arrived. Ask the plumber to confirm they hold the state certification and are on Fairfax County's authorized list, so the report is accepted. If water is pouring from the device, close the irrigation shutoff or the main valve until the plumber arrives.