How frequently do parts like check valves, relief valves, or rubber components need replacement?

Backflow prevention assemblies—RPZs (Reduced Pressure Principle Assemblies), DCVAs (Double Check Valve Assemblies), and PVBs (Pressure Vacuum Breakers)—protect drinking water by stopping contaminated water from reversing into the potable supply.

Inside each device are wear items: check valves, relief valves, diaphragms, O-rings, and springs.

These parts live in moving water, collect debris, and endure fluctuating pressures and temperatures—so they don’t last forever. Knowing when to service or replace them is essential for safety and compliance.

Below, we outline realistic service intervals, what accelerates wear, and the proactive maintenance plan our Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend to keep you compliant and avoid emergency shutdowns.

Typical replacement intervals at a glance

Every site is unique, but these ranges reflect manufacturer guidance and field experience in Southern California:

• RPZ (Reduced Pressure) assemblies

  • Relief valve rubber/diaphragm and spring: 3–5 years in normal conditions; 2–3 years with hard water, chloramines, or frequent thermal expansion events.

  • First and second check valve rubbers (disc/seat O-rings): 3–5 years; 2–3 years in harsh water or sandy lines.

  • Check valve springs or poppets: 5–8 years, or when test results show low differential.

  • Complete rebuild kit: Every 3–5 years is the Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend for high-reliability sites (healthcare, food service, multifamily).

• DCVA (Double Check Valve Assembly)

  • Check valve rubbers/seat rings: 3–5 years; 2–4 years for irrigation with seasonal debris.

  • Springs/poppets: 5–8 years, replace when differential falls below spec.

• PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker)

  • Air inlet valve and check rubber/spring: 2–4 years due to outdoor exposure; inspect annually for UV and heat damage.

  • Bonnet/float assemblies: Replace as needed if cracking or deformation appears.

• Gaskets, O-rings, and seals

  • Any device: Replace whenever disassembled and at each rebuild interval to prevent seepage.

• Device body or cover

  • As needed: Replace only if cracked, pitted, or corroded beyond service limits; most bodies last decades with proper maintenance.

These are proactive targets. Actual replacement should be based on test data and visual inspection performed during the Backflow Testing process.

What accelerates wear (and how to slow it down)

• Water quality

  • Hardness, chloramines, and sediment abrade rubber parts and pit seats.

  • Mitigation: Install or service strainers upstream, flush lines after main repairs, and consider treatment where appropriate.

• Pressure and hydraulic shock

  • Rapid spikes from a failing pressure reducing valve (PRV), pump cycling, or solenoid valves cause seat cutting and spring fatigue.

  • Mitigation: Keep building pressure 50–75 PSI, add water hammer arrestors, and service/replace PRVs on interval.

• Thermal expansion in closed systems

  • Water heaters increase system pressure; without a functioning expansion tank, the RPZ’s relief valve works overtime.

  • Mitigation: Install and correctly precharge a thermal expansion tank; replace when the bladder fails.

• Usage profile

  • High cycle counts (large multifamily, commercial kitchens, car washes) wear components faster.

  • Mitigation: Shorten rebuild intervals and keep a spare kit on hand.

• Environment

  • Outdoor PVBs and RPZs face UV, heat, irrigation overspray, and debris; coastal sites see salt air corrosion.

  • Mitigation: Use ASSE 1060-rated enclosures, ensure drainage, and maintain a rock perimeter instead of mulch.

Our Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend that your maintenance plan matches your actual conditions.

Signs it’s time to rebuild or replace parts

• RPZ relief valve dripping or dumping

  • Intermittent weeping after hot water use: check thermal expansion tank.

  • Continuous flow with downstream shut: first check leaking, worn relief diaphragm, or debris on seats.

• Failed test results

  • Low differential across checks, relief failing to open at spec, or inability to hold pressure indicates worn rubbers/springs.

• Chatter, banging, or pressure swings

  • Can point to spring fatigue, cut seats, or upstream PRV issues.

• Visible leakage

  • Moisture at body joints, test cocks, or shutoff stems suggests O-ring or gasket deterioration.

• Frequent nuisance service calls

  • Recurring minor leaks or drips after recent cleaning usually mean it’s time for a full rebuild kit, not just debris flushing.

If you see these symptoms, schedule with our Backflow Testing Orange County experts. We recommend to pinpoint the failing component before it becomes an outage or compliance violation.

A proactive maintenance schedule that works

• Annual certified testing (minimum)

  • Required by most water purveyors. This is the baseline the Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend to confirm protection and catch trends early.

• Rebuild cadence

  • RPZs: Full rubber and spring rebuild every 3–5 years in normal service; 2–3 years for harsh water, high demand, or critical facilities.

  • DCVAs: 3–5 year rubber rebuild; springs as performance dictates.

  • PVBs: 2–4 year rubber/float rebuild due to outdoor exposure.

• Event-driven service

  • After city main breaks, construction, irrigation startups, or water heater/PRV replacements, test and clean checks—debris spikes are common.

• System support

  • Verify PRV setpoint annually; replace failing PRVs.

  • Check and precharge expansion tanks to match static pressure.

  • Add upstream strainers where sediment is present and clean them on schedule.

• Recordkeeping

  • Keep device make, model, size, serial, last rebuild date, and test results. Atlas Backflow Services maintains a digital log and sends reminders so you always hit the Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend.

Rebuild vs. replace: how to decide

• Rebuild (most common)

  • Best for wear-related issues: leaking checks, weak relief spring, hardened diaphragms, or O-ring seepage.

  • Benefits: Lower cost, minimal downtime, restores factory performance with OEM kits.

• Replace the device

  • When the body/cover is cracked, heavily pitted, cross-threaded, or out of certification.

  • When repeated failures persist despite proper rebuilds—often due to chronic upstream pressure or debris problems that also need correction.

  • When upgrading to meet current code or size demands.

Atlas Backflow Services carries OEM kits for major brands and sizes, ensuring your rebuild meets specifications and passes the Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend.

How to extend component life (and reduce emergency calls)

• Install an ASSE 1017/PRV and maintain it to keep building pressure in the sweet spot.

• Ensure a properly sized and charged thermal expansion tank on closed systems.

• Use and maintain upstream strainers to stop sand and scale before they reach the checks.

• Provide drainage and enclosures so RPZ reliefs can discharge safely without submerging the device.

• Replace mulch with rock and keep vegetation trimmed to reduce debris and corrosion.

• Test before irrigation season and after any plumbing project that could introduce debris or alter pressures.

These simple steps align with what the Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend and typically cut emergency service by 30–50% over the life of the assembly.

Why Atlas Backflow Services

• Certified specialists: RPZ, DCVA, and PVB testing, repairs, and OEM rebuilds across leading brands.

• Data-driven maintenance: We trend your differential pressures year over year to predict rebuild timing—no guesswork.

• Compliance made easy: We file test reports with your water purveyor and send reminders for the Backflow Testing Orange County experts recommend.

• Rapid response: Local Orange County techs stocked with the right kits to minimize downtime.

If your backflow preventer is starting to drip, fail tests, or cycle more often, it’s likely time for a targeted rebuild.