Backflow Preventers
Backflow Preventers | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Powell
Protect your business, patrons, and the Powell community with HEP’s specialized backflow preventer services. Our certified technicians install, test, and maintain devices that stop contaminated water from reversing into your clean lines—keeping your operations sanitary, compliant, and interruption-free. We understand the local codes and seasonal challenges unique to East Tennessee, so each solution is tailored for restaurants, medical facilities, manufacturing plants, and multi-tenant buildings alike.
When you call HEP, you’re partnering with a crew that treats every job as mission-critical commercial plumbing. We offer 24/7 emergency response, transparent pricing, and digital reports you can hand straight to inspectors. From annual certifications to full system retrofits, trust the hometown experts who have safeguarded Powell businesses for over two decades.
FAQs
What is a backflow preventer and why is it required for commercial properties in Powell?
A backflow preventer is a mechanical device installed on your water service line that stops contaminated water from flowing backward into Powell’s public water supply. Commercial properties often have complex plumbing, chemical usage, irrigation, or fire-sprinkler systems that can create back-pressure or back-siphonage. To protect public health, the City of Powell and the State of Ohio Plumbing Code mandate approved backflow prevention assemblies on most commercial services and require proof of annual testing.
How often do backflow preventers need to be tested in Powell?
Powell follows Ohio Administrative Code 3745‐95, which requires all testable backflow assemblies in commercial buildings to be inspected and certified every 12 months. A certified tester must submit a signed report to the city’s Cross-Connection Control Office within 30 days of the test. Failure to submit current test results can lead to fines or a temporary shut-off notice until compliance is restored.
What types of backflow preventers are typically used in commercial plumbing systems?
The three most common assemblies we install and service in Powell are: • Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Assemblies – used where there is a high hazard, such as chemical mixing, medical facilities, and restaurants. • Double Check Valve Assemblies (DCVA) – suitable for low-hazard applications like apartment complexes or standard office buildings. • Pressure Vacuum Breakers (PVB) – often installed on dedicated irrigation lines. Our licensed plumbers will evaluate your site, hazard level, and local code requirements to recommend the correct device.
What are the signs my backflow preventer is failing?
Warning indicators include: water leaking or spraying from relief ports; unusual pressure loss in downstream fixtures; visible corrosion, cracks, or rust on the body; sudden discolored water or debris in service lines; and failed annual test results. If you notice any of these conditions, shut off the isolation valves if possible and call us immediately to inspect the assembly before contamination occurs.
What is the process and cost to install or replace a backflow preventer in a Powell commercial property?
1. Site Survey – We visit your facility, review plumbing drawings, and identify the correct assembly type and location. 2. Permitting – We file the required plumbing permit with the City of Powell Building Department. 3. Installation – Our licensed commercial plumbers shut down the water, remove any obsolete device, install the new assembly, and add proper valves and freeze protection if needed. 4. Testing & Certification – A certified backflow tester performs the initial test and submits Form 3309 to the city. Costs vary by size and type: a 1" DCVA averages $700–$900 installed, while a 2" RPZ can range $1,800–$2,500. We provide firm quotes upfront and offer after-hours change-outs to minimize downtime.
Who is qualified to test and repair backflow preventers in Powell, and do you handle the city paperwork?
Only state-licensed backflow testers with a valid Ohio Backflow Certification (OBBS) may perform the annual test and sign the city’s report. All of our technicians hold this credential, carry full commercial liability insurance, and use calibrated test gauges. After each test or repair, we complete the City of Powell Backflow Test Report, email a copy to you for your records, and file the original directly with the Cross-Connection Control Office, ensuring you remain 100 % compliant without any administrative hassle.