During annual testing, you have discovered a backflow preventer that fails. The question now is… do you repair or replace it? The answer is not always so obvious. You will want to make a decision that ensures safety and works well for your customer.
Here are the insights you will need to make the best decision that will stand up to scrutiny from your peers.
Your Customer Matters
You might think you will repair the assembly because your truck has all the necessary parts. But think again. The most important person in the equation is your customer. A big part of your job is giving your customer the best value possible with
every job. Since almost every business with a water connection needs the backflow prevention assembly tested and serviced, almost every assembly in town is being serviced by either you or your competition. As word gets out, ensure you make
the best decisions for your customers.
Also, in today’s world, online reviews can be brutal. Next time you repair or replace a backflow preventer, make sure you take a moment to check three important boxes…
- Safety of the drinking water is ensured
- You explained the work you performed to your customer
- You cleaned up the work area
Once you have checked all three boxes, do not hesitate to ask for a positive online review. Today, many business owners regularly check reviews on Google, Yelp, and others. Make sure your reviews are good.
Repair or Replace
There are times when replacement is the only option. On the other hand, many backflow prevention assemblies can be easily and economically repaired. As a backflow technician, it is ultimately up to you to make the best decision to repair or replace
based on three basic factors:
- Your training, knowledge, and experience
- Cost of labor
- Cost of materials
Since the ultimate objective is to give your customer the best value, you will need to evaluate each job, exercise good judgment, and make the right call for your customer, ensuring safety.
When Replacement Makes Sense
When it comes to decision-making for smaller backflow prevention devices, it would be best if you had a general policy where you replace the assembly below a certain size. It does not make sense economically to replace parts in assemblies that
are one-inch and smaller. If one of those smaller assemblies fails the annual test, you should not attempt to replace parts; swap it out with a new assembly.
That policy works for your customer and you because you do not need to carry smaller assembly parts you will never use. But make sure to carry an assortment of smaller replacement assemblies in your service truck. Also, make sure to inform your
customer that it is less expensive for the new replacement assembly than it is to repair the old one.
When Repairing Makes Sense
For larger assemblies, the opposite is most often the case. In other words, repairing and replacing parts is most often the correct decision from an economic standpoint. You will need to compare the cost of replacing the assembly vs. the cost
of labor and materials. The best choice is the one that will save your customer money.
Condition of the Assembly
When a larger backflow preventer fails the annual test, the first thing to look at is the overall condition of the assembly. If installed for many years or even decades, it may be very worn, experiencing some cracking or sealing problems that
cannot be resolved with the tightening of components or gasket replacement. You will also find that some of the main components become brittle over time. Age-related wear and deterioration cannot be resolved by replacing internal parts.
It is always best to first evaluate the assembly and determine if it is worth fixing or whether it is time to replace it. Repairing parts in an assembly that should have been replaced would be a shame. Remember, you cannot justify the repair time
if the invoice says “replacement.”
Labor Costs
The time it takes you to replace or repair a backflow preventer assembly translates to billable hours. The labor rate (cost per hour) usually depends on your experience. If you work for a firm that has been in business for many years, your wages
are typically based on your education and experience. If you are an apprentice, you are gaining on-the-job training. You will receive a lower hourly rate than the technician doing the actual work. But eventually, you will be sent out on jobs
by yourself. Once you begin to work efficiently and get more done for each hour worked, you will likely get a higher hourly rate.
Material Costs
When determining whether to repair or replace, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. In other words, look at the cost of every option. This is where Brooks Equipment can help you. We have knowledgeable, experienced staff to help you match
the rebuild to the right parts or to find the best replacement assembly.
Pricing individual parts is often not your best option. Some part kits are often packaged to make your job easier, so you will have the right parts, the correct quantity, and parts intended to work together. Even if you do not use all the components
in a kit, it is often the most cost-effective route. For example, if you need 8 out of 10 parts in a kit, the cost is typically cheaper than purchasing individual parts. You will also benefit from getting all the necessary parts, and they
will be the right ones for the job. The worst-case scenario is returning to a job site because you had wrong or missing parts. You are less profitable if you visit the same job site multiple times for one repair job!
Make sure to do a little research and compare kits. Choose the most appropriate repair kit for the rebuild. For example, buy the rubber repair parts kit instead of the complete internal parts kit if you only need a rubber kit.
Parts Availability
Before diving into a repair and parts replacement job, check the parts’ availability. If you run into an old assembly, some parts may be obsolete, and there could be no compatible parts that can be used. Only begin a project after properly evaluating
the availability of the parts you will need. This is a four-part process:
- Determine which parts need replacement.
- Check availability of parts.
- If parts are obsolete, check for other compatible parts.
- Proceed only when you have completed your parts evaluation.
Consider Employing Newer Technologies
One of the most critical considerations is the age of the backflow preventer that failed testing. Older assemblies employed older technologies. Our industry has evolved, and many new technologies used in newer assemblies work better, last longer,
and are easier to work on. You will likely enjoy working on the newer assemblies, which often take less time to repair, saving your customers money. When you replace an old assembly with a new one, inform your customer of the upgrade to a
modern model that works more efficiently and repair/replacement costs over the lifetime of the new one.
Brooks Has Your Back!
Repair parts are available from Brooks for repair and replacement for virtually every backflow prevention assembly. That means we have the necessary parts in stock and can get them to every area of the country with next-day shipping. We stock
parts for all manufacturers’ products in the sizes and materials you need. This allows you to access the parts they need on time, without the cost and space required to store them locally. Brooks is not only your service partner and parts
supplier; we provide expert repair advice.
Technician Knowledge and Resources
You’ve obviously received some training as a backflow technician, but you can always get a refresher. Look into the course offered by the FED Learning Center (https://fedlearningcenter.com).
The course teaches the fundamentals of backflow, including manufacturer’s products, components, cross-connections, prevention devices, testing, and equipment. But classroom teaching can only go so far.
You will need to take the knowledge you have gained and apply it in the field. Do not be afraid to take on a job you have never done before. You will eventually need to attempt a repair you have never done. There will be a learning curve that
equates to more time on that first job but look on the bright side; you will improve your skills through experience. Gaining invaluable experience only comes with doing the work and sometimes performing challenging tasks.
Ask The Experts
As a Brooks customer, you have access to the backflow prevention experts on staff. You can ask questions, including which replacement parts you will need on which devices, and obtain information on them. Experienced technicians are here to help
you do the job right the first time.
Always remember to evaluate each job and exercise good judgment. That way, you will make the right call for your customer, ensuring safety.
