Routine Backflow Testing
Routine Backflow Testing | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Old Fort
From bustling breweries along Catawba Avenue to historic storefronts on Main, Old Fort businesses trust HEP to keep their water systems safe, compliant, and running at peak efficiency. Our licensed specialists perform routine backflow testing with precision instruments, verify every valve and assembly, and file the paperwork your insurer and the county demand—so you can focus on serving customers instead of wrestling with regulations. It’s the same meticulous standard we apply to every facet of commercial plumbing, delivered with the neighborly courtesy you expect from a local crew.
When you schedule annual testing with HEP, you’re guaranteed punctual arrivals, transparent pricing, and digital reports delivered before we leave the parking lot. Should our inspection uncover a hiccup, we stock a full inventory of repair parts on the truck to restore protection against reverse flow right then and there. Safeguard your potable water, avoid costly shutdowns, and show your patrons you care about their health—all with one quick call to the backflow pros at HEP.
FAQs
What is backflow testing and why is it important for commercial properties in Old Fort?
Backflow testing is the annual inspection of a mechanical device—called a backflow preventer—that stops contaminated water from flowing backward into the municipal drinking-water system. Because most commercial buildings in Old Fort have cross-connections (irrigation lines, fire-suppression systems, chemical mixing stations, etc.), state and local plumbing codes require these devices to be installed and tested regularly. Routine testing protects public health, prevents costly fines, and keeps your business in compliance with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and Old Fort Water Department regulations.
How often does my business need to schedule backflow testing?
In Old Fort, commercial backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least once every 12 months. Certain high-hazard sites—restaurants, medical facilities, industrial plants, and sites with chemical processes—may receive notices from the water authority requiring more frequent testing. If you install a new assembly or repair/relocate an existing one, you must also have it tested immediately and submit the results within 30 days.
What happens during a routine backflow test?
1) Our certified backflow technician arrives with calibrated gauges and test kits. 2) We locate each assembly, verify its size, make, model, and serial number against municipal records, and shut off downstream water briefly. 3) The technician records static line pressure, checks for visible damage or leaks, and performs a series of differential-pressure tests on the check valves and relief valve(s) to ensure they close, seal, and open at code-specified pressures. 4) Results are logged on the official Old Fort Backflow Test Report; we submit the paperwork electronically to the city and leave a copy for your records. 5) If the device fails, we provide an on-site quote for repairs or replacement, handle the permit, and retest the assembly once corrective work is complete.
Will testing interrupt my business operations?
Interruptions are minimal. Most tests take 20–30 minutes per device and require shutting off water downstream of the assembly only, not the entire building—unless your plumbing design lacks isolation valves. We coordinate testing during low-demand hours (early morning, lunch breaks, or after close of business) to keep workflow, manufacturing, or restaurant service running smoothly.
How much does commercial backflow testing cost in Old Fort?
Prices start at $85–$125 per device for standard ¾"–2" assemblies when multiple devices are tested on the same visit. Larger fire-line or RPZ assemblies (2½"–6") range from $150–$350 depending on size, accessibility, and quantity. Volume discounts, multi-year contracts, and same-day repair options are available. The cost of not testing can be much higher—non-compliance fines run up to $1,000 per occurrence, and cross-connection contamination can trigger expensive shutdowns and liability claims.
What should I do if my backflow device fails the test?
Don’t panic—approximately 10–15% of devices fail each year due to debris, worn springs, or seal fatigue. Our team will: • Explain the failure points and provide photographs if requested. • Present a fixed-price repair or replacement estimate, typically covering new check seats, springs, O-rings, and retesting. • Obtain any required plumbing permits and schedule repair at your convenience, often the same day for common parts. • Submit the passed retest results to Old Fort’s water authority, closing out your compliance file. Keeping spare repair kits on site and performing periodic cleaning can reduce future failures and prolong device life.