Bruton Backflow and Irrigation, LLC
is primarily a backflow prevention assembly testing company that also maintains and services small, typically residential, irrigation systems. We care about our clients and the quality of the services we provide for them. It is difficult to cover all of the scenarios involved with services and pricing, but the following information should take most of the guess work out of it. We invite all to inquire further if any clarification is needed.
Basic Test Pricing
Our commitment to our customers and the safety of the public drinking water supply: In the event of a failed initial test, on all standard* residential irrigation assemblies 1" or smaller, our test fees include cleanout and repair, or replacement of small internal parts as needed, to obtain passing results and full compliance with State regulations.
Assembly 2" or Smaller:
Standard* Single Assembly--------------------------------------------------------------- $55.00
Newly Installed Assembly, Test report printed on site------------------------------$85.00
Assembly Over 2":
Large Assembly, requires additional time for gate valves, alarms & chains and/or contacting an alarm company etc.-----------------------------------------------------$100.00
Newly Installed Large Assembly, Test report printed on site--------------------$125.00
Rush Service Fee----------------------------------------------------------------------------- $38.50
*Note: "Standard" means an approved assembly installed according to proper installation guidelines, Ground boxes and Vaults should be properly maintained so as to be accessible for testing, maintenance, and repairs. Proper assemblies include usable handles and functional test ports and access to all components needed to test or open and perform maintenance. See the images to the right for reference to some of these assemblies; they give good examples of what your assembly should look like. The images below give some practical examples of difficult assemblies to test.
(See also service bundling at the bottom of this page.)
Proper installations with standard test fees
Backflow testing in the NW can get tricky
Assemblies needing maintenance, potentially increasing test costs
Images of Vaults and Confined Spaces
Vaults and Confined Spaces
Each vault must be evaluated individually for hazardous atmospheric conditions and other safety concerns such as depth of vault without a ladder or deep standing water. Also many assemblies in vaults have alarms that must be put into test mode and chains with locks that must be unlocked. They also have large, hard to turn handles and stems. These conditions cause delays and increase testing or return trip costs. The following fees are applied in addition to the basic test price as listed above.
Confined Space:
(entry fee each)----------------------------------------------- $45.00
Vault Pump Out:
(depending on depth and time)-------------Minimum $99.50
Confined spaces with observed atmospheric hazards requiring additional personnel and safety equipment will be assessed individually and a quote will be given for acceptance before a test is performed.
Note: In this particular industry, confined spaces like unvented vaults or manholes with measurable atmospheric hazards are actually rare, but do exist. The vast majority we test in are charged at standard rates. We at Bruton Backflow however, will not compromise our safety for profit or put our clients liability at risk.
Backflow Prevention Assembly Maintenance & Repairs*
All Backflow Preventers have internal parts. Most are made of plastic and rubber and do wear out over time, or get debris caught in them causing the assembly to fail.
The proper operation of these parts is what the annual testing is all about. We offer services and new parts to maintain your backflow preventer in good working order, protecting all our drinking water from potential contamination. If an assembly fails testing, we will contact you, explain needed maintenance and provide an estimate for repairs.
Backflow Repair: Due to varied sizes and parts costs all repairs require estimates. Estimates include repair labor, parts costs and a half priced retest and submission.
We leave any worn out, damaged or otherwise faulty parts with the assembly for our clients to inspect at their leisure.
Backflow Removal: obtaining permit, digging out and removing water line back to original connection point, capping off line, coordinating inspection and refilling excavation. Providing report to inspector and sending report to the water purveyor (requires estimate)
Backflow Replacement: Due to a wide variety of installations and their complexity, backflow replacements all require estimates.
*Note: Our licensing allows the repair of any "Non-Potable" Irrigation system plumbing, including lawn sprinklers/fountains/water features/ponds/sump pumps/ etc. Special licensing and training may be required to repair assemblies on piping systems where people will be consuming the water they supply, (potable water lines). In many of these cases only a licensed Plumber can perform "Plumbing" repairs on potable water systems. Bruton Backflow and Irrigation will advise on site.
Irrigation Maintenance and Repairs
NOT ALL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ARE CREATED EQUAL!
Basic System Adjustment:
Running a system zone by zone and evaluating all components for proper type, position and function in their existing configuration.
Each individual irrigation system has its own characteristics and concerns. Many have been installed by professionals and many by homeowner's just trying to save some money. Therefore, each system must be evaluated individually, as no two systems are alike.
We work as efficiently and diligently as we can to get the job done properly to save our clients unnecessary expense. We also stand behind our work so that if there is a problem, we follow through to fix it.
System Evaluations:
Irrigation system evaluations vary greatly due to size, complexity and age as well as previous alterations or deferred maintenance to both the systems and the landscaping.
Spring & Winter Seasonal Services
(TSO) Turn water on to system ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$55.00
All components needed to close system are located in or near backflow box. Includes checking meter for static condition when complete.
(TSO 2) Turn water on to system, close components-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------$80.00
Property must be walked to discover and close all open components before system can be pressured up to static. Includes checking meter for static condition when complete.
(ADJ) Irrigation system adjustment. This service includes turning the system water on if needed and confirming static condition. Running the full irrigation system checking for proper function of all available and accessible components
in their existing configurations including water flow, valves, individual heads, nozzles and drip tubing. Also
included is the leveling of heads, *(if possible). Replacing broken or malfunctioning heads and/or nozzles, minor drip
tubing and emitter repairs, **(if needed). Setting the timer, ***(if possible and if needed). Providing an evaluation of any observed damage or deficiencies beyond the scope of the adjustment, (estimate or referral provided).
1-4 zones---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$99.00
5-8 zones--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$198.00
9-12 zones------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$297.00
13-16 zones-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$396.00
17-20 zones-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$495.00
Systems over 20 zones------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Estimate required
Materials-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------billed separately
*Individual heads in irrigation systems often cannot be routinely leveled if they are found in certain settings such as
but not limited to roots, concrete, surrounding sleeves, decorative rock, taller heads in sensitive areas or in hard pan soil, etc.
**Often on the first trip, irrigation systems are found to be in significant disrepair with many malfunctions in potentially
costly components. In this case we will complete the adjustment and provide an evaluation for the customer to decide their next course of action.
***Timers vary in type, configuration and quantity of zones and fail for many reasons. Issues vary greatly including age and
inherent behaviors, winter power surges, physical mismanagement, power supply interruptions, etc. Often customers know
how to use their timers and do not want them changed. Some are inaccessible or do not need to be accessed to run
systems when all zones valves are accessible and functional. If timer replacement is needed an estimate will be provided.
(TOD) Turn water off to system and decompress: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$55.00
a. Turn off primary shutoff, if available, and confirm fully off. If there is no primary shutoff or it is damaged,
hidden or inaccessible, we will use the #1 shutoff of the backflow prevention assembly and confirm the
water is fully off.
b. Open remaining shutoffs of backflow assembly and open all test cocks and drains in backflow assembly
box 45 degrees, (if they are ball valves and if they are usable) and cap all test cocks to keep assembly clean.
(TODO) Turn water off, decompress and open full system: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------$80.00
a. Same as turn off and decompress plus:
b. Search entire property for all visually available zone valves, drains or hose bibs and manually open all
components allowing system to drain. Drainage of system is dependent on its design and installation.
(TODOI) Insulation no longer offered. See note below.
(BO) Full System Blowout up to an 6 zone system-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$99.00
-------------------------------------------------------- per each additional zone $15.00
a. Turn off primary shutoff, if available, and confirm fully off. If there is no primary shutoff or it is damaged,
hidden or inaccessible, we will use the #1 shutoff of the backflow prevention assembly and confirm the
water is fully off.
b. Connect to irrigation system with compressed air and thoroughly blow out all water for 100% guarantee
against damage due to freeze.
c. Leave all components properly configured to just turn system on in the spring, saving time and expense.
Note: All services include a leak check at the meter and/or backflow assembly to determine that the irrigation system is static before we leave. Also, as a professional courtesy, if we see anything wrong with your system, we will let you know.
Note: Customers may add a practical, waterproof, plastic insulation, (no fiber glass batting or materials degradable by moisture), to all ground boxes for additional protection if desired. If they have experienced any below ground freeze damage in their irrigation winter history a blowout is recommended.
Extremely large irrigation systems will incur added cost due to the extra time and materials needed to service these larger systems. Each larger system will need to be assessed for size, configuration, condition and cost.
Bundling Services
Depending on when your backflow test is due, you may choose to bundle the test with the corresponding seasonal service as follows:
Backflow test plus Fall TOD-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$55.00
Backflow test plus Spring TSO----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$55.00
Backflow test plus spring TSO 2 (if property must be walked to close components before charging system)--------------------$80.00
Backflow test plus fall TODO------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$80.00