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How do you monitor and maintain backflow prevention devices year-round?
Hey everyone, so I've got this irrigation setup at my place and last summer I noticed the backflow preventer was kinda dripping a bit after I shut off the water—nothing major, but it got me thinking about how these things hold up over the whole year. Winters here can get pretty cold, and then spring hits with all the pollen and debris flying around. How do you guys actually keep an eye on and take care of your backflow prevention devices year-round? Do you just wait for the annual test or do little checks yourself in between? Last year mine froze a tiny bit because I forgot to drain it properly, and ever since I've been paranoid about missing something. Curious what routines others have nailed down to avoid surprises.











Yeah, that freezing issue sucks—I’ve been there too. For me, I try to peek at the device every couple months, especially after heavy rain or when the pressure feels off in the house. Mostly visual stuff like looking for leaks around the valves or weird buildup on the relief port. I don’t mess with testing it myself since that needs a certified person anyway, but catching small problems early saves headaches. Around here, a lot of folks end up calling Plumbers in Golden Valley, AZ when something looks iffy or right before the yearly certification—those guys seem to know the local quirks with hard water and all. Personally, I think keeping it accessible and not buried under junk helps a ton, plus I wrap it in insulation when frost warnings pop up. It’s not rocket science, but staying on top of it keeps the water safe without turning into a full-time job.