Frequently Asked Questions
Small amounts of water dripping from the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve generally indicates that the water pressure in your home is too high or that you may need to change or install a Thermal Expansion Tank.
Yes, water heater maintenance is included in our maintenance plan.
When large amounts of water discharge from the water heaters’ Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve it may be due to the tank overheating.
Arbor Plumbing installs a code-required appliance isolation valve within three (3) feet of the water heater. Take a look on the right side of the appliance just above the top of the tank and you should see the valve.
Premium installations include stainless steel water distribution system construction (piping coming to and from the tank), an inline sediment filtration system, and a full port ball valve drain assembly. Standard water heater installations include a like-for-like change-out installation with no upgrades.
Bacteria and other impurities present in the drinking water react with the appliances’ anode rod feature and emits a rotten egg odor. The odor is present when opening hot water taps.
We can not adjust the water temperature beyond 120 degrees Fahrenheit for tank-type of appliances. Generally, the appliance is preset by the manufacturer for electric appliances. We will set the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for gas installations. Anything beyond this temperature severely increases the risk of scalding.
Manufacturers recommend water heater flushing every 6-12 months. We recommend flushing twice a year at a minimum.
Thermal expansion control is required anytime you have a closed water distribution system. Check valves such as backflow preventers or pressure reducing valves are devices that close your water distribution system. In some cases, water meters have check valves integrally installed and such systems (homes) will require a means to alleviate thermal expansion.
Yes. We furnish appliances with a minimum 6-year warranty.
Your water heater will perform beyond its warranty when it is appropriately maintained. Be sure to inquire about our Maintenance Plan and premium upgrades for your water heater appliance. If your water heater fails before the warranty period has concluded, the manufacturer will furnish you with a new appliance.
Yes. Contact us for full-service plumbing in any setting.
Yes! Water heater disposal is a part of the cost of service. We’ll get rid of your old piping and appliance and replace it with new, code-approved materials.
Yes. Arbor Plumbing & Backflow furnishes brands from the industry’s leading manufacturers.
Arbor Plumbing & Backflow offers a 1 year warranty on every installation we perform. This warranty is in addition to the manufacturer warranties transferred by product makers.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina’s environmental resources.
The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public’s health, and also works to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina’s needs. The Division of Water Resources is responsible for the environmental protection and quality of the State’s surface water and groundwater, and to ensure safe drinking water for its residents. This authority is granted in accordance with laws, policies and rules established by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the N.C. General Assembly, the Environmental Management Commission, and the Commission for Public Health.
The SDWA focuses on organic contaminants and lead in the drinking water. It requires that sanitary surveys be conducted at water treatment plans to assure that they are producing and distributing water safe for consumption. What is more, cross connection control programs are required to be implemented by local governments. Backflow prevention and cross connection control are subjects paramount to public health and safety.
See “What is backflow?“
Any impairment of water quality that affects the aesthetic (sight, smell, etc.) of the water, yet does not create a health hazard.
When the public water supply pressure is less than atmospheric pressure causing a vacuum (backflow) phenomenon.
See “What is backflow?“
When the pressure from a non consumable water source or supply is greater than the public water supply pressure, resulting in a backlow condition.
See “What is backflow?“
The backflow of chemical and biological contaminants into a drinking water system can be harmful to the health of a population. The type of exposure will determine the severity of harm. The Flint Michigan water crisis speaks to long term effects of chemical exposure to the drinking water.
The best method to protect your assembly is to place it inside of an approved enclosure.
See “Can my Backflow Preventer be negatively impacted by the weather?“
Yes! Your assembly is full of water and has the potential to freeze during the winter months. Freezing causes leaks, holes and defects in the internal components. If your assembly freezes you will need repairs/replacement.
See “Can my Backflow Preventer be negatively impacted by the weather?“
When backflow preventers are left outside they must be protected against the weather, particularly in the winter months. If you have an irrigation system backflow preventer be sure that it has been installed with union fittings to facilitate disassembly during the winter months. Domestic and fire-flow assemblies on the exterior must be secured in a protective enclosure approved by your local Inspections Department. These enclosures are designed to protect your assembly from freezing and from exposure to the elements.
Arbor Plumbing & Backflow serves the Greater Triangle area. This includes all of the border municipalities surrounding Raleigh, Durham and Chapel-Hill.
Yes. If you have 2 more assemblies you may save up to 25% on testing.
We take care of reporting the findings of your test and inspection. Reporting is our responsibility. We have up to 14 days to transfer the records to your Water Provider, however, we generally report the findings within 24 hours of your service.
See “Can you provide a test history of our backflow preventers’ performance?”
Yes. If you’re curious about how your assembly has performed in years passed please let us know and we’ll provide you with performance records.
Sit back and relax. Arbor Plumbing & Backflow will take care of record transfers with your Water Provider. Recordkeeping and records transfer is a part of the service we provide.
Backflow tests start at $110.00 for residential irrigation system backflow preventers. Prices vary depending on the size, type, and location of the assembly for fire-flow and commercial domestic systems. Be sure to inquire about pricing at the time of booking if you are a commercial or industrial client.
Our experienced technicians will assess the extent of your failure and provide you with solutions to repair or replace your assembly. In the event you’d prefer to forgo repairs and/or replacement, your water provider will receive failing testing results. Water providers will reach out to customers with additional requirements about repairing or replacing the assembly. Providers levy penalties for non-compliance. Sometimes repairs are as simple as removing debris from the check assemblies. Certain scenarios require replacement of the internal components of your assembly or assembly replacement. Replacement and repair work is billed separately; each service includes the cost of re-testing your assembly and reporting the results to your water provider.
If your Fire protection (sprinkler) system is equipped with an alarm, the alarm will need to be deactivated prior to having the test performed. We recommend disarming the alarm for a minimum of 2 hours.
Backflow tests generally take about 30 minutes. In some cases, tests may take longer due to accessibility reasons or assembly preparation time (Fire-flow system shutdown).
You may always ask us about your testing schedule. We can provide you with everything you need to know about your assembly. You may also contact your Water Provider for these details.
Your Water Provider sets the testing schedule for your assembly. Domestic backflow assembly tests are completed annually; Fire-flow backflow tests are generally completed on an annual basis; Irrigation backflow assemblies are tested on a bi-annual or tri-annual schedule. These schedules are at the discretion of your Water Provider. Backflow assembly manufacturers also recommend test schedules. In most cases, the manufacturer(s) recommend annual testing. Never forget that a backflow assembly is a mechanical device constantly under water pressure and will surely wear out over time.
See “What is backflow prevention” and “How do I find out when my test is due?”
You will commonly find a backflow preventer at the right of way near your meter box, in a mechanical room or closet, in the back of your building following your fire line, and in some cases in a vault underground.
See “What is backflow prevention“ and “What is the best device to protect against backflow?”
The RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) is the gold standard for backflow protection. This assembly has two testable check valve components and a relief valve for visual inspection. You’ll always be able to determine if/when something is going on in your water system (pertaining to hydraulic pressure) with this type of mechanical device.
The best method to protect against contamination and backflow is an air gap. Unfortunately, air gaps aren’t always a viable method for installations.
Any biological contaminant spread through water may cause health problems or worse. Common waterborne diseases are: Infectious hepatitis, Cholera, Dysentery, Amoebic dysentery, Giardiasis, Cryptosporidiosis, Typhoid, Gastroenteritis, and Legionella.
Hazardous agents that may enter the drinking water and when ingested may cause disease.
Backsiphonage and Backpressure.
- What is the Public Health significance of Backflow?
- What is Backpressure?
- People are unaware of the hydraulic conditions created by cross connections.
- People make these connections haphazardly because of its convenience.
- People accidentally make these connections.
Cross connection control is a health issue and includes the implementation of systems for the inspection, identification and elimination of piping arrangements that have the potential for a hazardous backflow occurrence.
The physical links in piping systems that allow backflow; a connection or arrangement of piping or attachments through which a reversal of flow could occur; a connection between a drinking water supply and a non-drinking water system.
Backflow prevention is the application of techniques, mechanisms and equipment for the elimination of conditions that allow backflow to occur. It deals with the science of the laws governing moving water.
Backflow means water of questionable quality, wastes, or other contaminants entering the drinking water system through a reversal of flow. The direction of flow under these conditions is in the reverse direction from that intended by the system. Backflow can take place by two phenomena: Backsiphonage or Backpressure.
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Yes. Visit our Maintenance Plan page.
No, we do not currently offer financing for our services.
The local Inspections Department.
Service Agreements are required on all services provided by Arbor Plumbing & Backflow.
No. Our payment processors DO NOT save your credit card information.
Yes. Camera inspections are billed as Specialty Calls. Visit our Service Rates page for more information on pricing.
Yes. Drain cleaning services are billed as Emergency Services. Visit our Service Rates page for more information on pricing.
New construction, tankless water heater installations, plumbing systems relocations, gas installations, and the like all require a permit from the authority having jurisdiction.
Yes, our installations are lead-free.
Call our office for availability at (984)295-8378.
Installations are covered by a 1-year limited warranty against installation (service) defects. Service warranties do not apply to products.
Yes, we provide commercial, residential and industrial services.
Yes. Arbor Plumbing & Backflow is a full-service plumbing company. Visit our services page for more information on the services we provide.
Backflow prevention and Cross Connection Control are mandated by Federal, State and Local laws. Contact your water provider for more information.
The water heater brands we install are Rinnai, Bradford White, STATE, A.O. SMITH, RHEEM, and NORITZ.
Yes, Arbor Plumbing & Backflow is insured.
Arbor Plumbing & Backflow holds an Unlimited Plumbing License as granted by the North Carolina State Board of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Plumbing License #31736
Cash, credit card or debit cards are accepted forms of payment. Card payments are subject to a 5% processing fee.
Arbor Plumbing and Backflow works to maintain the health and safety of our employees and clients. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff strictly adheres to the CDC prescribed methods for social distancing and face covers. Please help us to maintain the integrity of safe practice recommendations.
Yes. Refer to the Service Rates page for cost information.
Emergency services and major installations are available on weekends and holidays. Contact us here to request service on holidays or call 984-295-8378.
Emergency services and major installations are available on weekends and holidays. Contact us here to request weekend service or call 984-295-8378.
Service calls are general plumbing repairs including but not limited to leak investigation and repair, faucet installations, valve installations, clearing clogged drains, and toilet repairs. Service calls do not include fixture installations or major installations. Click here to schedule a service call.
Yes. Emergency services are calls scheduled after 3:00pm and include calls outside of our service area. Click here to request emergency service.
Arbor Plumbing & Backflow services the Greater Triangle Area. Services outside of the Greater Triangle area are billed as Emergency Services. The cities inside our service area are: Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, Knightdale, Clayton, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Wendell, Zebulon, Holly Springs, Hillsborough.
Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. After-hours service/Emergency Services are services scheduled after 3:00 pm and include services outside of our service area.
