Built for mountain & desert homes
Frozen lines in Jackson and Flagstaff, hard water in St. George, high-altitude heaters in Durango — we know your climate.
Backflow Testing
A small valve that guards the whole water supply
Water is supposed to flow one way: from the main into your home and out to the sprinklers. If pressure drops in the main, during a line break or heavy firefighting, that flow can reverse. Without protection, water sitting in irrigation lines, carrying fertilizer, weed killer and soil, can be pulled back into the drinking water. A backflow prevention assembly stops it, but only while its valves are working, and annual backflow testing is how you know they are.
That’s why most water providers require backflow assemblies to be tested every year. We test the check valves and relief valve, record the results and file the report with your water provider, so the paperwork is handled. If an assembly fails, the cause is often a worn seal or debris, and we can usually repair it on the spot. This service is offered by our St. George team, serving St. George, Hurricane and nearby towns.
- Paperwork Filed We send the test report to your water provider.
- Repairs Same Visit Many failed assemblies are fixed while we’re there.
- Yearly Reminders Annual testing scheduled so the deadline doesn’t slip.
When to Call
Times you’ll need a backflow test or repair
Some are routine and some are warning signs.
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A Notice from the City
Your water provider has sent a reminder that this year’s test is due.
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Water Spitting from the Valve
The relief valve on the assembly is dripping or discharging.
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Odd Taste After Watering
Discolored or strange-tasting water after the sprinklers run.
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New Irrigation System
A new sprinkler or drip system needs a preventer before it’s connected.
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Buying or Selling
A sale is a good time to confirm the assembly passes and is on record.
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Freeze Damage
A cracked body or bonnet after a cold night on an exposed assembly.
What We Do
Backflow testing, repair and new assemblies
Everything a backflow preventer needs, from first install to yearly test.
- Annual Testing Check valves and relief valve tested with calibrated gauges.
- Report Filing Results submitted to your water provider, with a copy for you.
- Assembly Repair Worn seals, springs, diaphragms and debris dealt with after a failed test.
- New Installations The right type of assembly for irrigation and other connections.
- Replacements Old or damaged assemblies swapped out when repair doesn’t make sense.
- Commercial Testing Testing for businesses and multi-unit properties with required assemblies.
How It Works
How a backflow test works
Routine for you, thorough for the assembly.
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Book Before the Deadline
Schedule online or by phone; have your notice handy if you received one.
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Test the Assembly
We attach our gauges and check that each valve holds as it should.
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Repair If Needed
If it fails, we explain why and price the repair before doing it.
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File the Results
We send the report to your water provider and give you a copy.
Local crews. Mountain-tough service.
Local in five communities
Real offices and crews in St. George, Hurricane, Durango, Jackson and Flagstaff — not a call center.
Award-winning work
Voted Best of Southern Utah Gold in 2025 and 2026, and Best of Iron County 2025.
Here 24/7
Burst pipe at 2 a.m. or no heat on a Sunday — a real technician answers the call.
Backflow test due?
Our St. George team tests, repairs and files the paperwork across Washington County.
Maintenance Membership
Ready for desert summers & mountain winters.
Seasonal checkups for every system in your home.
Seasonal checkups catch small problems before they become emergencies — and keep your systems running efficiently all year.
- Annual whole-home plumbing inspection
- Water heater flush & safety check
- Seasonal heating & AC tune-ups (St. George & Hurricane)
- Priority scheduling for members
- Member savings on repairs
Backflow testing questions
Where does Element offer backflow testing?
Backflow testing is offered through our St. George location, serving St. George, Hurricane, Washington, Ivins, Santa Clara and nearby Southern Utah towns. Our Flagstaff, Durango and Jackson locations don’t currently offer backflow testing, but they can help with other plumbing needs; see plumbing repair.
Why do I need a test every year?
Backflow assemblies have springs, seals and moving parts that wear out or get fouled by debris, and you can’t tell from the outside whether they still hold. Most water providers require a yearly test to confirm they do. Missing the deadline can lead to compliance notices from your provider, so it’s worth putting on the calendar.
What happens if my assembly fails?
A failed test doesn’t automatically mean a new assembly. Often it’s a worn check valve seat, a tired spring or grit lodged in the relief valve, which can be cleaned or rebuilt. We’ll explain what failed, give you the price, and retest after the repair so the report shows a pass.
Does my home have a backflow preventer?
If you have an underground sprinkler or drip system, you very likely do. It’s usually a brass assembly above ground near where the irrigation line leaves the main, often in a planter bed or a box. Not sure? We can find it and tell you what type it is during your first visit.
Can a backflow preventer freeze?
Yes. Southern Utah gets enough freezing nights in winter to crack an exposed assembly. Shut off and drain irrigation for the season if you can, and use an insulated cover. If yours has split, we can replace it. For other cold-weather plumbing trouble, see leak repair.
*Offers cannot be combined with other promotions or applied to dispatch fees. No cash value. Must present offer at time of service. Call for details.