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Sadie Welch★★★★★
“We had a great experience with Halpin Plumbing. Everyone was friendly, responsive, and professional.”
Backflow Testing, Repair and Installation in Cincinnati
Protect Your Water. Pass Your Test.
Leaking or failed backflow preventer? Halpin’s licensed backflow testers and installers repair, replace, and install backflow devices, and handle your annual backflow testing, for homes and businesses across Cincinnati.
$25 OffAny repair or service. Mention it when you book.
1951Serving Cincinnati Since
3rdGeneration, Family Owned
4.9★Average Google Rating
OH+KYLicensed Master Plumbers
What it is
What Is Backflow Testing?
Backflow happens when water in your plumbing reverses direction and flows back into the clean water supply. A drop in city water pressure can pull water from an irrigation system, boiler, or equipment back into the drinking water lines, along with whatever is in it.
A backflow preventer is a valve assembly that stops that from happening. Backflow testing checks that the valves inside it still close and hold the way they should. A certified tester connects calibrated gauges to the device, runs it through a set of checks, and records whether it passes.
- Licensed backflow testers and installers
- Annual backflow testing
- Backflow preventer repair and replacement
- Residential and commercial properties
Why it is required
Why Backflow Testing Is Required
Backflow preventers protect everyone on the water system, not just your building. That is why testing is required, not optional.
01
Ohio Backflow Rules
Ohio’s backflow prevention rules, Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-95, set the standards public water systems follow for protecting drinking water.
02
GCWW Annual Testing
Greater Cincinnati Water Works requires backflow devices to be tested every year by a certified plumber or backflow tester.
03
Clean Drinking Water
A failed device can let irrigation water, fertilizer, chemicals, or boiler water back into the lines your neighbors drink from.
04
Devices Wear Out
Springs, seals, and check valves wear over time, and debris can keep them from closing. A device can fail without any sign you would notice.
05
Hamilton County Properties
Commercial and industrial buildings and properties with irrigation systems are among the most common places devices are required.
06
Stay in Compliance
Testing on time keeps your property current with your water provider and avoids last-minute scrambles.
Who needs it
Who Needs Backflow Testing?
If your property has a backflow preventer, it needs to be tested every year. These are the most common.
Commercial Buildings
Offices, retail, and mixed-use buildings often have a backflow preventer on the main water service.
Industrial Properties
Facilities with process water, chemicals, or equipment connected to the water supply carry a higher backflow risk.
Lawn Irrigation Systems
Sprinkler systems sit in soil and fertilizer, so they need a backflow preventer, including at many homes.
Multi-Unit Buildings
Apartments and condos with shared water service frequently require a tested device.
Medical and Dental Offices
Equipment connected to the plumbing makes backflow protection especially important.
Boilers and Equipment
Boilers, chillers, and other equipment that connects to the water supply often need a backflow preventer.
Got a backflow test notice?Call us. Our licensed backflow testers can schedule your test and take care of any repairs the device needs.
Call 513-631-2001
What we do
Backflow Testing, Repair, and Replacement
Halpin’s licensed backflow testers and installers handle the whole job, from the annual test to fixing or replacing a device that fails.
Backflow Testing
Annual testing of backflow preventers on homes, businesses, and irrigation systems with calibrated test gauges.
Backflow Repair
If a device fails, we repair it, replacing worn springs, seals, and check valves, then retest it.
Backflow Replacement and Installation
When a device is too old or damaged to repair, or a new one is required, we install the right backflow preventer.
How it works
How Our Backflow Testing Works
Simple, on schedule, and done right.
- 1
Schedule
Call or book online. Let us know if you received a test notice and when it is due.
- 2
Test the Device
Our certified tester checks each valve in your backflow preventer with calibrated gauges.
- 3
Repair if Needed
If it fails, we explain why and give you the price to repair or replace it before any work starts.
- 4
Retest and Record
We retest after any repair and record the results for your water provider.
$25 Off
Any Repair or ServiceMention the offer when you book. Cannot be combined with other offers.
Backflow repair
Signs Your Backflow Preventer Needs Repair
You do not have to wait for your annual test. Call us if you notice any of these.
Water Leaking From the Device
Drips or puddles around the backflow preventer usually mean a worn seal, a loose fitting, or a cracked body.
Relief Valve Keeps Discharging
On a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) device, water that keeps spilling from the relief valve is a sign an internal part is not sealing.
The Device Failed Its Test
A failed annual test means a check valve or relief valve is not holding. It has to be repaired or replaced and retested.
Low Water Pressure
Debris or a stuck valve inside the device can restrict flow to your building or irrigation system.
Freeze Damage, Rust, or Cracks
Outdoor devices that are not drained or protected can freeze and crack during Cincinnati winters.
An Old or Outdated Device
Older devices wear out and parts get harder to find. Sometimes replacement is the better value.
Backflow preventer leaking right now?Call us. Our licensed backflow installers repair and replace leaking devices.
Call 513-631-2001
Device types
Common Types of Backflow Preventers
The right device depends on how much risk the connection carries.
| Where It Is Used | Protection Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) | High-risk connections, like chemicals or process equipment | Highest |
| Double Check Valve Assembly | Lower-risk connections, like many building water services | Moderate |
| Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) | Lawn irrigation and sprinkler systems | Back-siphonage |
Questions about the small backflow preventer on your outdoor faucet? Read our guide to hose bib backflow problems.
Why Halpin
Why Cincinnati Trusts Halpin for Backflow Testing
Halpin has protected Cincinnati’s water and plumbing since 1951. Our licensed backflow testers and installers can test, repair, and replace your device in one visit when possible, so you are not calling a second company when a test fails.
- Licensed backflow testers and installers
- Third generation family company
- Residential and commercial service
- Upfront pricing before work starts
Reviews
What Cincinnati Homeowners Say
Where we work
Backflow Testing Across Cincinnati
Based on Fishwick Drive, we provide backflow testing, backflow repair, and backflow installation for homes and businesses throughout Cincinnati.
Hyde ParkIndian HillOakleyWyomingMontgomeryNorwoodBlue AshMadeiraPleasant RidgeSharonville
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Backflow Testing FAQs
Do not see your question? Call us and ask. You will get a plumber on the phone, not a script.
What is backflow testing?
It is a test of your backflow preventer to make sure its valves still close and stop water from flowing backward into the public water supply. A certified tester uses calibrated gauges to check each part of the device.
Why is backflow testing required?
Ohio has backflow prevention rules to protect public drinking water, and Greater Cincinnati Water Works requires backflow devices to be tested every year by a certified plumber or backflow tester.
How often does a backflow preventer need to be tested?
In GCWW’s service area, backflow devices must be tested once a year.
Who can do backflow testing?
Testing must be done by a certified plumber or backflow tester. Halpin has licensed backflow testers and installers on staff.
What happens if my backflow preventer fails?
We explain what failed and give you the price to repair or replace it before any work starts. After the repair, we retest the device.
Why is my backflow preventer leaking?
Common causes are worn seals or springs, debris holding a valve open, a loose fitting, or freeze damage. On an RPZ device, water from the relief valve means an internal part is not sealing. We find the cause and repair or replace the device.
Do you install new backflow preventers?
Yes. Our licensed backflow installers install new backflow preventers when one is required and replace devices that are too old or damaged to repair.
How much does backflow testing cost?
It depends on the type and size of the device and how many you have. We give you the price up front, and you can take $25 off any repair or service.
Do I need a backflow preventer on my hose bib?
Most outdoor faucets should have one to keep hose water from siphoning back into your plumbing. Click here to learn more.
Do you test residential irrigation systems?
Yes. We test, repair, and replace backflow preventers on home lawn irrigation systems as well as commercial properties.
Plumbing Problem? We’ll Make It Halpin.
Call our Cincinnati office or book online.