Falls Church gets its water from Fairfax Water, and state law requires backflow assemblies to be tested at installation, yearly and after repair or replacement, with reports filed through Fairfax County's program. The City also reimburses homeowners for sewer backflow devices installed under a plumbing permit. For either, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Falls Church.
Falls Church in brief
Falls Church is a small independent city where US 29 and Route 7 meet, just inside the Beltway, and its mailing area spreads well into Fairfax and Arlington counties; Seven Corners, for example, has a Falls Church address but is in Fairfax County. Fairfax Water supplies the city. The median home was built in 1971, and about half the homes are older than that, so many sprinkler systems are retrofits. Two kinds of backflow device come up here: the assembly that protects drinking water, and a sewer backflow device that keeps sewage out of the house.
What to do now
- Sort out which device you mean. Sprinkler or pool assemblies protect the water supply; a sewer backflow device sits on the line leaving the house.
- Confirm you are inside the city. City permits come from Code Administration at 300 Park Avenue (703-248-5080); addresses outside go to Fairfax or Arlington County.
- Check the last test date on a water assembly; if it is over a year, schedule one.
- Stop active leaks by closing the irrigation shutoff.
- Ask about the sewer program before a sewer device is installed, since reimbursement depends on a plumbing permit.
- Keep records of test reports and permits.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Relief port dripping on a sprinkler assembly | First check not sealing |
| Spray from a vacuum breaker at start-up | Worn float or seal |
| Sewage at a basement floor drain in heavy rain | Backup from the sewer; a sewer backflow device may help |
| Cracked brass after winter | Device was not drained |
Cost factors
- A clean test versus a rebuild and retest
- Type and size of the water assembly
- For a sewer device, how deep the lateral is and whether the floor or yard must be opened
- Permits and inspections, which also matter for the City's sewer reimbursement
When you call, you are connected with an independent plumber who works in Falls Church. Say which device you are dealing with, whether the address is inside the city, and when a water assembly was last tested. For a test, ask the plumber to confirm their state backflow certification and Fairfax County listing. Drain outdoor assemblies before the first freezing night, and plan the yearly test for spring.
Backflow Testing questions in Falls Church
Is a sewer backflow preventer the same thing as a water backflow assembly?
How can I tell which water utility serves my address?
How often does a backflow assembly need to be tested here?
How does the test report reach the water utility?
More plumbing services in Falls Church
Backflow Testing nearby
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