Protect Your Water Supply with Professional Backflow Testing
Backflow prevention helps protect your drinking water from potential contamination caused by reverse water flow. Grant Mechanical provides professional backflow testing, installation, repair, and replacement services throughout Traverse City and Northern Michigan.
Our ASSE 5110-certified technicians can test qualifying backflow prevention assemblies and help ensure your system is properly protected.
Call Grant Mechanical today to schedule backflow testing or service.
Professional Backflow Testing in Traverse City
If you’ve received a notice from your water supplier stating that your backflow preventer needs to be tested, Grant Mechanical can help.
We have ASSE 5110-certified backflow prevention assembly testers on staff, allowing us to provide professional testing for applicable backflow assemblies.
Testing isn’t simply a matter of looking at the device. Testable assemblies have internal components that need to be checked to verify that the assembly is functioning properly.
Depending on the type of assembly, testing can include checking things such as:
- Check valves
- Relief valves
- Air inlet valves
- Differential pressure
- Opening points
- Overall assembly operation
If repairs are necessary, Grant Mechanical can also help determine whether the assembly can be repaired or should be replaced.
Need a backflow test?
If you’ve received a backflow testing notice, don’t wait until the deadline.
Contact Grant Mechanical to schedule your test with our ASSE 5110-certified technician.
What Is Backflow?
Your plumbing system is designed for water to flow in one direction—from the water supply into your home or business.
Backflow occurs when water flows backward through the plumbing system.
Changes in water pressure can create conditions where water from irrigation systems, equipment, boilers, pools, hoses, or other sources could potentially flow back toward the potable water supply.
If that water contains contaminants, chemicals, fertilizers, stagnant water, or other substances, it could create a potential health hazard.
Michigan’s cross-connection control program is specifically designed to identify and prevent these types of risks.
What Is a Cross Connection?
A cross connection is a plumbing connection or arrangement that could allow contaminated or non-potable water to enter the potable water supply through backflow.
Cross connections can occur in both residential and commercial plumbing systems.
Common examples include:
- Lawn irrigation systems
- Hose bibs
- Swimming pools
- Boilers and hydronic heating systems
- Fire protection systems
- Commercial equipment
- Chemical-handling equipment
- Water treatment equipment
- Other plumbing connections involving non-potable water
A properly selected and installed backflow prevention assembly helps protect against these potential connections.
Backflow Prevention Services
Grant Mechanical provides comprehensive backflow prevention services for homeowners and businesses in Traverse City and surrounding Northern Michigan communities.
Backflow Testing
Our ASSE 5110-certified technicians can test qualifying backflow prevention assemblies.
We can test applicable assemblies such as:
- RPZ — Reduced Pressure Zone assemblies
- PVB — Pressure Vacuum Breakers
- DCVA — Double Check Valve Assemblies
Michigan EGLE identifies these as testable backflow assemblies.
Backflow Preventer Installation
If your plumbing system requires backflow protection, the correct type of assembly must be selected based on the application and potential hazard.
Grant Mechanical can install appropriate backflow prevention equipment as part of your plumbing system.
Backflow Preventer Repair
Backflow assemblies contain mechanical components that can wear or fail.
If your assembly doesn’t pass its test, repair may be possible. Our plumbing team can inspect the device and determine the appropriate repair.
Backflow Preventer Replacement
If an existing assembly is damaged, obsolete, improperly sized, or beyond economical repair, replacement may be necessary.
Grant Mechanical can help with removal and replacement of the backflow prevention assembly.
Do You Need Your Backflow Preventer Tested?
If you received a letter or notice from your water supplier requiring backflow testing, yes—you should take that notice seriously.
Michigan EGLE explains that public water supplies have cross-connection control programs that include inspection, testing, recordkeeping, and education. Customers with testable backflow preventers may periodically receive notification that the device needs to be tested by a professional tester with ASSE 5110 certification.
Testing requirements aren’t necessarily identical for every property.
They can depend on:
- The type of backflow assembly
- The degree of hazard
- The plumbing application
- Manufacturer requirements
- Your local water supplier’s cross-connection control program
Grant Mechanical can help you determine what testing or service your backflow preventer needs.
How Often Does a Backflow Preventer Need to Be Tested?
Testing frequency depends on your backflow assembly, application, manufacturer requirements, and local water supplier’s cross-connection control program.
Backflow Testing for Irrigation Systems
Lawn irrigation systems are a common application for backflow prevention.
An irrigation system can potentially expose water to soil, fertilizers, lawn treatments, and other substances. A change in water pressure could create conditions where that water moves backward toward the potable water supply.
Proper backflow protection helps prevent this type of cross connection.
Grant Mechanical can help homeowners and businesses with:
Backflow Testing • Installation • Repair • Replacement
Commercial Backflow Testing
Commercial properties can have significantly more complicated plumbing systems and multiple potential cross connections.
Grant Mechanical provides backflow prevention services for businesses and commercial properties throughout Traverse City and Northern Michigan.
We can assist with:
- Required backflow testing
- Existing assembly testing
- Failed backflow tests
- Backflow preventer repairs
- Backflow preventer replacement
- New backflow prevention installations
If your business has received a testing notice from your water supplier, our ASSE 5110-certified technicians can help you take care of it.
What Happens If My Backflow Preventer Fails?
A failed test doesn’t automatically mean that you need an entirely new plumbing system.
Depending on the condition of the assembly, the problem may be repairable.
Grant Mechanical can:
- Test the assembly
Determine what component or function is causing the failure. - Identify the problem
Determine whether the issue is related to a check valve, relief valve, air inlet, or another component. - Repair when appropriate
If the assembly can be properly repaired, our plumbing team can address the problem. - Replace when necessary
If replacement is the appropriate solution, we can help install a new backflow prevention assembly. - Retest the assembly
After applicable repairs, the assembly can be tested again as required.
Michigan guidance requires testable assemblies to be tested after repair.
Why Choose Grant Mechanical for Backflow Testing?
ASSE 5110-Certified Testing
Grant Mechanical now has ASSE 5110-certified backflow prevention assembly testers, giving our customers access to qualified backflow testing right here in the Traverse City area.
Local Plumbing Experience
Backflow prevention is part of a larger plumbing system. Having an experienced plumbing company involved means we can look beyond the device itself and understand how it fits into the property’s plumbing.
Testing & Repair
If a test identifies a problem, you’re not necessarily left looking for another contractor. Grant Mechanical can help with the next steps, including repair or replacement when appropriate.
Residential & Commercial
We provide plumbing services for both homeowners and businesses throughout Traverse City and Northern Michigan.
Backflow Prevention FAQs
What is a backflow preventer?
A backflow preventer is a plumbing device designed to prevent water from flowing backward into a potable water supply.
What is an ASSE 5110 certification?
ASSE 5110 is the certification associated with backflow prevention assembly testing. Michigan EGLE states that accepted testing for public water supplies must be performed by a tester meeting the applicable Michigan requirements and holding an active ASSE 5110 certification.
Can Grant Mechanical test my backflow preventer?
Yes. Grant Mechanical has a ASSE 5110-certified technician who can perform applicable backflow prevention assembly testing.
What types of backflow preventers can be tested?
Common testable assemblies include RPZ, PVB, and DCVA assemblies. The appropriate testing requirements depend on the specific assembly and application.
How often should my backflow preventer be tested?
Testing frequency depends on the assembly type, hazard level, manufacturer requirements, and local water supplier requirements. Some higher-risk assemblies require annual testing, while certain lower-risk assemblies may have longer intervals.
What if my backflow test fails?
A failed test may mean the assembly needs repair or replacement. Grant Mechanical can evaluate the device and help determine the appropriate solution.
Do residential properties need backflow protection?
Potentially. EGLE notes that residential properties can have cross-connection risks involving things such as irrigation systems, sinks, toilets, and hose bibs.
Do I need backflow testing if I received a letter from my water supplier?
If your water supplier has notified you that a testable backflow assembly needs testing, you should follow the instructions and deadline provided by the water supplier.
Schedule Backflow Testing in Traverse City
Need a backflow preventer tested?
Whether you’ve received a testing notice, failed a previous test, need a new backflow preventer installed, or aren’t sure what your plumbing system requires, Grant Mechanical can help.
Professional backflow testing by an ASSE 5110-certified technician.
Serving Traverse City and Northern Michigan with professional plumbing and HVAC services.
Contact Grant Mechanical today to schedule your backflow testing or plumbing service.
