Top Backflow Repair Parts Every Plumber Should Have in San Diego
In San Diego, backflow prevention devices are a common thing in households, businesses, and industrial locations. They are often required, and regular testing is also necessary. As a plumber, you should be equipped to handle testing needs as well as any repairs that might need to take place after testing. Having a supply of backflow repair parts in San Diego is the best way to ensure you are prepared for the majority of needs when you are out handling testing in the community.
With backflow testing and repair being an annual requirement, plumbers and certified backflow specialists should always have parts on hand to take care of these needs and keep clients in operational capacity. While you may not be able to have every single part every single time, there are many common parts you can keep on hand to prepare when the need arises. In this guide, we take a closer look at some of those common parts so you can be prepared to handle the most common issues efficiently.
Why Backflow Repairs Matter in San Diego
Whether you’re a local resident, a business owner, or a plumber, you likely are already familiar with the local codes in San Diego. There are many structures, both homes and businesses alike, that are required to use these devices. And whether you are required to or not, if you have a backflow prevention device, the regulations state you must have it tested annually and repaired as necessary.
Backflow is a term for when contaminated water flows backward in your water lines. This reverse flow causes contaminated water to infiltrate your clean water supply, which leads to hazards that can affect your space, as well as others throughout the city. Plumbing systems often incorporate a backflow preventer device into that helps to prevent this situation from occurring. There are several different kinds of backflow preventers, depending on your needs or usage.
San Diego has strict guidelines to follow, as do many surrounding cities, when it comes to backflow testing and repair. Their interests lie in protecting the public water supply, and if you don’t comply, you can pay hefty fines or even face service disruption.
Essential Backflow Repair Parts Every Plumber Should Have
Plumbers and backflow specialists should do their best to have common elements on hand that would support testing needs as well as basic repairs. We know you can’t keep everything on hand all the time, but just having common elements available will save you and your customers a lot of hassle.
Let’s take a look at the essentials in more detail.
Check Valve Assemblies and Replacement Kits
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Perhaps one of the most common things you will need are replacement kits or assembly kits for a check valve. These are the primary components of the most popular preventer devices, covering both double check valves and reduced pressure zone assemblies. The check valve pretty much does the work in these systems, so it’s common to wear out and need replacement. If you have replacement kits or assemblies on hand, you’re already prepped to handle that work.
If you want to have common items for the check valves, these are what you should stock:
- Check valve springs
- Rubber discs or seats
- O-rings and sealing gaskets
- Poppets or plungers
Keep in mind that there are different brands and models. You likely want a variety of repair kits that have all the necessary internal parts for those brands. Purchasing the complete repair kits for popular brands you service will typically have all of these. They will sometimes have more items in them, too. It prepares you for common repair needs.
Relief Valve Repair Kits
A relief valve applies primarily to an RPZ backflow preventer, but it’s a very important part of the system. If you service many RPZ systems or want to prepare, we highly recommend relief valve repair kits. The components on the relief valve can wear out over time because of the fluctuating pressure they encounter.
For relief valve repairs, you will need relief valve diaphragms, relief valve springs, seat assemblies, retaining clips, and caps. Having the kits ready and on hand means you will be able to make swift repairs and will likely prevent extra service calls, too.
Test Cocks and Test Cock Plugs
Backflow assemblies have test cocks that perform the annual testing on the devices. However, those can sustain damage over time. They can also become clogged or leak, so it’s a good idea to have a few test cock replacement parts on hand to be able to comply with testing and get accurate diagnostics in the process.
Retaining Caps and Bonnet Assemblies
Older devices or those serviced a lot might have some deeper needs. These are parts you likely won’t need as often, but you should have some available in case the bonnet assembly of the device needs attention. Retaining caps and bonnet assemblies can crack, warp, or get thread damage over time, which will lead to pressure loss or even complete failure if not addressed. Have threaded bonnet, retaining nuts and bolts, and lubricants or sealants available for these needs.
Identification Tags and Testing Forms
This last one isn’t necessarily a part, but it’s still important for testing and repairs. Testing tags and forms are something you’re going to use every time you complete tests and repairs in San Diego. You must log, label, and submit those backflow devices – and it’s up to you to handle that with the proper authorities.
Prepare with Backflow Repair Parts in San Diego with One Stop Backflow Supply
If you handle backflow testing and repair processes, you need equipment – and that’s where we come in. At One Stop Backflow Supply, we keep all of the supplies you could possibly need for repair and installation, offering supplies for every backflow device you might have.