Choosing a Backflow Testing Company: What to Look For

You need your backflow preventer tested. Maybe you got a notice from the city. Maybe your property manager told you it's due. Maybe you just bought a property and realized there's a device out back that needs annual attention. Whatever the reason, you need to find a backflow testing company — and you want to make sure you pick a good one.

We're 1-A Services, a family-owned backflow testing company based in Boyd, TX. We've been serving the DFW Metroplex and beyond for years, and we've seen the full spectrum of backflow testing companies out there — from excellent to questionable. We're obviously biased (we think we're pretty great), but we also genuinely want you to make an informed choice, even if you don't choose us.

Here's what to look for when you're evaluating backflow testing companies.

1. Valid TCEQ Backflow Tester License

This is non-negotiable. In Texas, backflow preventers must be tested by an individual who holds a valid Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This license requires specific training, passing an exam, and maintaining continuing education credits.

Ask the company for their tester's license number. You can verify it on the TCEQ website. If a company can't provide a valid license number, walk away. An unlicensed test is worthless — the city won't accept the report, and you'll have to pay to have it done again by a licensed tester.

What about plumbing licenses?

A plumbing license and a backflow testing license are two different things. A licensed plumber can install and repair backflow preventers, but they can't test them unless they also hold the BPAT license. Similarly, a licensed backflow tester can test devices but may not be licensed to perform plumbing work. Some companies (like us) have team members with both licenses, which means we can test, diagnose, and repair all in one visit.

2. Calibrated Test Equipment

Backflow testing requires a differential pressure test gauge — a specialized instrument that measures the performance of each component in the backflow preventer. This gauge must be calibrated annually by a certified calibration facility. The calibration date is recorded on every test report.

If a tester shows up with a gauge that hasn't been calibrated in the past 12 months, the test results are technically invalid. Most cities will reject reports generated with an out-of-calibration gauge. A reputable company will always use properly calibrated equipment and can show you the calibration sticker on their gauge.

3. They Handle the Paperwork

A backflow test isn't complete until the report is submitted to your city's water utility. Different cities have different submission methods — some use online portals, some accept paper forms, some require specific forms unique to that city. A good backflow testing company knows the submission requirements for every city they serve and handles this for you.

Ask the company: "Do you submit the test report to the city, or do I have to do that myself?" If they hand you a piece of paper and tell you to figure it out, that's a red flag. Report submission is part of the service, and a professional company includes it as standard.

4. Repair Capability

Here's a scenario that happens all the time: the tester arrives, tests your device, and it fails. Now what? If the testing company can't also perform repairs, you're stuck scheduling a second appointment with a different company, waiting for parts, and then scheduling a third appointment for the retest.

Look for a company that can test, repair, and retest in a single visit (or at least within a day or two). The best companies carry common repair parts on their trucks — check valve kits, springs, seats, o-rings — so they can handle most repairs on the spot. This saves you time, money, and the hassle of coordinating multiple service calls.

At 1-A Services, we carry repair parts for the most common backflow preventer brands and sizes. When a device fails, we can often repair and retest it the same day. If we need to order a specific part, we'll get it scheduled as quickly as possible.

5. Experience with Your Type of Property

Backflow testing on a single residential irrigation system is very different from testing 30 devices across a commercial property portfolio. Make sure the company you choose has experience with your type of property and the scale of work you need.

Questions to ask:

Have you worked with properties like mine before? (commercial, multi-family, industrial, etc.)
Can you handle multiple devices across multiple locations?
Do you have experience with larger device sizes? (4", 6", 8", 10")
Are you familiar with fire line backflow devices?

A company that primarily tests residential irrigation backflow devices may not have the equipment or expertise to handle a 10-inch RPZ on a commercial fire line. Make sure their capabilities match your needs.

6. Insurance and Liability Coverage

Any company working on your property should carry general liability insurance at a minimum. Backflow testing involves working with pressurized water systems, and things can occasionally go wrong — a valve that breaks during testing, water damage from an unexpected discharge, or damage to surrounding property.

Ask for a certificate of insurance. A professional company will have no problem providing one. If they hesitate or can't produce proof of insurance, that's a major red flag.

7. Clear, Upfront Pricing

Backflow testing pricing should be straightforward. Most companies charge a flat fee per device, with the price varying based on device size and type. You should know exactly what you're going to pay before the tester arrives.

Watch out for:

Hidden fees: Trip charges, report submission fees, or "administrative fees" that aren't disclosed upfront
Unusually low prices: If someone is offering to test your backflow preventer for $25, ask yourself how they're making money. Corners are being cut somewhere — maybe they're not actually calibrating their gauge, maybe they're rushing through tests, or maybe they're not submitting reports properly.
Pressure to replace: Some companies make their real money on replacements, not testing. If a tester tells you your device needs to be replaced without first attempting a repair, get a second opinion.

Fair pricing for backflow testing in Texas typically ranges from $50 to $150 per device for standard residential and small commercial sizes, with larger devices costing more. Repairs are additional and depend on the parts needed.

8. Responsiveness and Communication

This one seems basic, but it matters more than you'd think. When you call a backflow testing company, do they answer the phone? Do they return messages promptly? Do they show up when they say they will? Do they communicate clearly about scheduling, pricing, and results?

Backflow testing is often time-sensitive — you've got a deadline from the city, and you need the test done before that deadline passes. A company that takes three days to return your call and then can't schedule you for two weeks isn't going to cut it.

At 1-A Services, we pride ourselves on being responsive. When you call, you talk to a real person. When we schedule a test, we show up on time. When the test is done, we submit the report promptly. It's not complicated — it's just good business.

9. Reviews and Reputation

Check Google reviews, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for patterns in the reviews — consistent praise for professionalism, reliability, and fair pricing is a good sign. Consistent complaints about no-shows, hidden fees, or poor communication are red flags.

Also ask around. If you're a property manager, ask other property managers who they use. If you're a business owner, ask your neighbors. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find a reliable service provider.

10. They Treat You Like a Person, Not a Number

This is where being a family-owned business really matters to us. We know our customers by name. We remember their properties, their devices, and their testing history. When you call us, you're not navigating a phone tree or explaining your situation to a different person every time.

A good backflow testing company builds relationships. They remind you when your test is due. They flag potential issues before they become problems. They take the time to explain things when you have questions. That's the kind of company you want on your side.

Give Us a Call

We're 1-A Services — family-owned, fully licensed, properly insured, and genuinely passionate about doing this work the right way. We serve the entire DFW Metroplex and beyond, and we'd love the chance to earn your business.

Whether you've got one device or a hundred, whether it's a routine annual test or an emergency repair, we're here for you. Give us a call or request a quote online. We'll take good care of you — that's a promise from our family to yours.