Services
Winterizations
Understanding whyWinterization is the way you can protect your investment in your irrigation system. Freezing is enemy number one when it comes to any water system, especially backflow preventers. When water, in any kind of piping, freezes, it turns into ice and ice expands as it turns solid. This kind of internal to external force is what breaks your backflow device. Sign up here and protect it today!
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Service, Price & LogisticsWhat you will receive by requesting a winterization: - Backflow test as required by your water purveyor - Fall Shutdown - Spring Startup Price: $125 - $145 The price is either $125 or $145 depending on the water provider that supplies your home because of the fees they charge us to submit records into their system about your backflow test We offer our winterization service from November 1st to mid-March Spring Startups begin mid to late march depending on the weather forecast regarding freezing temperatures and we are usually finished with them by April 15th. |
ProcedureHow our process works:
1) Go to our home page and click on the "Winterization Form". 2) Once you have answered the questions and clicked "Submit," your job will be on our list. 3) You can expect your job to be completed in one week; but if we are already experiencing freezing temperatures, we move winterizations into priority-one status and try to complete the work in one business day. 4) You will receive a notification to your provided email when the work is completed. 5) You will receive via email your backflow test (if required in your area) along with an invoice. 6) Once the invoice is paid, we will add your job to the Spring Startup list to return and start up your system when the warmer temperatures arrive in mid March to early April. The Spring Startup is included with the Winterization. |
Testing
Price, Logistics & Process
Price:
Pricing is based on what size bracket your backflow preventer is in and in certain areas, a surcharge may apply.
3/4" - 2" Pipe size is $60/each
Ex: Home irrigation or small business
2.5" - 12" Pipe size is $85/each
Ex: Commercial properties or multi-unit residential properties
Surcharges:
- If you purchase your water from one of the following water purveyors we will add $25 to your invoice. The reason for this charge is the following water purveyors utilize a third party to manage their backflow department and they charge us for each backflow test that we submit:
-City of Kannapolis
-Town of Harrisburg
-Union County Public Works
-Aqua America
-Lincoln County
*If you are unsure what size backflow preventer you have, this information can be found on the "Annual Testing Notice for Backflow Preventer" letter that your water purveyor sent you. Also, you can usually find such information on the identification tag on the backflow preventer itself or stamped on the body of the shutoff valves on either end of the device.
Logistics:
Untestable devices:
- The most common situation we find when we are unable to perform a test on a backflow preventer is when it has already been winterized before we arrive. Active water pressure is necessary in order to test your backflow preventer. So, if it is in a winterized condition and the water has been turned off, a backflow test is not possible. This situation usually poses its self during the winter months and early spring. We will work with your water purveyor that is mandating the test to be done and reschedule it for a month during the spring. We will call you to see if it has been started up before we come. Please note that we supply winterizations and will provide the mandatory test with it to avoid this inconvenient scenario.
Failed Tests:
- We would love to report that every backflow preventer passes every test, every time. Unfortunately, that is not so. If a backflow preventer needs just a simple clean out or a small part, it is not uncommon for us to make the repair on the spot for no charge. Freezing is responsible for more irreparable backflow preventers than any other reason. Winterization is key! The second reason is that the backflows simply become old and the internal parts need to be replaced. Some backflow preventers are able to withstand more stress than others while some are fragile by comparison. If your backflow preventer fails the test, we will notify you of the failure and send you the quote to repair/replace it. A test is always included and free with a repair/replacement.
Past Due Tests:
- Charlotte is now home to many transplant citizens that are not familiar to the area and its rules. It is not uncommon that we will receive a test request that is due by the water purveyor the next day, the very near future, or is already past due. Do not worry; we are in constant communication with every water purveyor in the Greater Charlotte Area. We will let them know that you have submitted your test to us and that we are in the process of getting it tested ASAP. While your water purveyor has the power to fine you for being late, we have found that if they know that you have submitted the test request to us, your account is handled with greater patience.
Process:
1) Go to our home page and click "Backflow Tests"
2) Once you have answered all the questions click "Submit"
3) When the work is completed, you will be notified via email.
4) We will send all of the paperwork to the city for you, and we will send you a copy of the test report along with the invoice.
Installations
Service, Price, Logistics & Process
Service:
When you order an installation from us, we will provide:
-Permit (Through Code Enforcement over your area.)
-Inspection (By Code Enforcement over your area.)
- Either Apollo Model RP4A or Wilkins Model 975XL.
-ASSE-1060 certified backflow cover
-We will create the tap into the domestic line; considering it is legal to do so according to the water purveyor in your area, or we will tap onto the separate irrigation meter if that applies.
-One backflow test, if required by the water purveyor servicing the property. We will submit all paperwork to the water purveyor on your behalf and send you a copy of the test report along with the invoice.
Price:
The price varies depending on the package that you select.
3/4" backflow installations with a cover are $1350
1" backflow installations with a cover are $1500
If you do not wish to have a cover provided, $150 will be deducted from your package price. A cover with the ASSE1060 rating will be necessary to pass Code Enforcement's inspection.
Logistics:
(The following are the irrigation contractor's responsibilities)
As the irrigation contractor, your responsibility is to trench the ditch 12" deep from the tap location (or irrigation meter) to the location of where the backflow will be located. Most often the residential backflow preventer should be installed beside the house without having to go through fences to obtain access at a later time. When that ditch is prepared and the schedule 40 line is in, we will connect on both ends at the water source and install the backflow preventer with all of its copper piping.
You will need to answer a few questions on our website at least 2 days before you are ready for us to come install the backflow preventer and make the tap. This will give us enough time to get the permit and any other paperwork we may need to register with the correct municipality.
Process:
1) Go to our home page and click "Backflow Installations". This should be filled out by the irrigation company.
2) Please fill out the form and keep in mind that we are required by the NC Licensing Board to bill the owner of the property.
3) Select as your "Work Scheduled Date"
4) When the work has been completed, you will be notified via email.
5) When the Code Enforcement inspection has passed, you will be notified via email.
6) The invoice will be sent to the email address you entered for billing purposes. By North Carolina law, it is required that we be paid directly by the homeowner (The builder if it is a new construction.) From our experience, it logistically works better if you pass our invoice onto the homeowner considering you have been in sole communication with them and sold your system installation service as well.
When you order an installation from us, we will provide:
-Permit (Through Code Enforcement over your area.)
-Inspection (By Code Enforcement over your area.)
- Either Apollo Model RP4A or Wilkins Model 975XL.
-ASSE-1060 certified backflow cover
-We will create the tap into the domestic line; considering it is legal to do so according to the water purveyor in your area, or we will tap onto the separate irrigation meter if that applies.
-One backflow test, if required by the water purveyor servicing the property. We will submit all paperwork to the water purveyor on your behalf and send you a copy of the test report along with the invoice.
Price:
The price varies depending on the package that you select.
3/4" backflow installations with a cover are $1350
1" backflow installations with a cover are $1500
If you do not wish to have a cover provided, $150 will be deducted from your package price. A cover with the ASSE1060 rating will be necessary to pass Code Enforcement's inspection.
Logistics:
(The following are the irrigation contractor's responsibilities)
As the irrigation contractor, your responsibility is to trench the ditch 12" deep from the tap location (or irrigation meter) to the location of where the backflow will be located. Most often the residential backflow preventer should be installed beside the house without having to go through fences to obtain access at a later time. When that ditch is prepared and the schedule 40 line is in, we will connect on both ends at the water source and install the backflow preventer with all of its copper piping.
You will need to answer a few questions on our website at least 2 days before you are ready for us to come install the backflow preventer and make the tap. This will give us enough time to get the permit and any other paperwork we may need to register with the correct municipality.
Process:
1) Go to our home page and click "Backflow Installations". This should be filled out by the irrigation company.
2) Please fill out the form and keep in mind that we are required by the NC Licensing Board to bill the owner of the property.
3) Select as your "Work Scheduled Date"
4) When the work has been completed, you will be notified via email.
5) When the Code Enforcement inspection has passed, you will be notified via email.
6) The invoice will be sent to the email address you entered for billing purposes. By North Carolina law, it is required that we be paid directly by the homeowner (The builder if it is a new construction.) From our experience, it logistically works better if you pass our invoice onto the homeowner considering you have been in sole communication with them and sold your system installation service as well.