My backflow assembly failed the test — what now?

First: a failed test isn't a fine or a citation. It just means a valve inside the assembly isn't holding pressure the way it should — usually worn rubber parts, debris, or freeze damage. It's fixable, and the path is well-worn.

The sequence

1. The failure gets reported. Your tester files the failed result with the water provider, same as a pass would be.
2. Repair or replace. Worn internals can often be rebuilt with a parts kit. Old, obsolete, or freeze-cracked assemblies usually get replaced — see repair vs. replace.
3. Retest.After any repair or replacement, the assembly must be tested again and a passing report filed. That retest — not the repair — is what closes out your compliance.

Keep the clock in mind

Your compliance deadline doesn't pause while you arrange repairs. If the failure happened close to your due date, tell your water provider a repair is in progress — documented, in-motion repairs are treated very differently from silence.

How to keep the cost down

• Ask the tester who failed it whether they do repairs — they're already on site and know exactly which check valve failed, and many will fold the retest into the repair price.
• If you get a separate repair quote, share the failure report — it tells the plumber which parts to bring.
• If the assembly is decades old, price a replacement before paying for a rebuild — parts for obsolete models can cost more than a modern assembly.