Failure is common, especially on devices that went several years without attention. Rubber discs harden in the Orange County sun, springs weaken and small bits of grit or scale from hard water lodge on a valve seat. Any of these can keep a check from closing tightly.
What matters next is which part failed and whether the body of the assembly is still sound. That decides between a quick rebuild on the same visit and a replacement that may need parts, approval and more time.
Reading a failed result
| Result on the report | What it means | Usual next step |
|---|---|---|
| Check one did not hold | The first check leaks or held below the minimum | Clean or rebuild check one, retest |
| Check two leaks | The backup check does not seal against backpressure | Clean or rebuild check two, retest |
| Relief valve opened too low or did not open | The RP relief valve is out of range | Rebuild the relief valve, retest |
| Air inlet did not open | A vacuum breaker cannot break a siphon | Rebuild the canopy and poppet, retest |
| Shutoff valve will not close | The tester could not isolate the device | Repair or replace the shutoff, retest |
| Could not test | Device buried, damaged or inaccessible | Fix access first, then test |
From fail to filed
Get the failed readings in writing
Ask for the numbers, not just the word failed, so you can understand the problem and compare quotes.
Ask for repair options
Find out whether a repair kit fixes it or whether the body itself is damaged.
Approve a written price
Repairs are separate from the test fee at many companies. Get the scope and price before work starts.
Repair and retest
The device should be retested after repair. The final report should show it passing.
Confirm the supplier has it
Check that both the failed and passing results, or just the final one, were filed as the supplier requires.
Example: a sprinkler PVB fails in spring
Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.
A Fullerton homeowner's pressure vacuum breaker fails because the air inlet will not open. The tester sees a hardened poppet and a sun-cracked canopy.
- The tester shows the owner the readings and the cracked canopy.
- The owner approves a written price for a rebuild kit and canopy.
- The tester rebuilds the device and runs the test again.
- The passing report is filed and the owner keeps a copy.
The device passes on the same visit. The owner adds shade from a nearby shrub to slow future sun damage, without blocking access.
Questions after a failed test
- Exactly which component failed, and can I see it?
- Is a repair kit still made for this model and size?
- Is the body, bonnet or any shutoff valve damaged?
- Will you file both the failed and the passing report?
Common questions
Do I have to use the same tester for the repair?
Usually not. You can get another opinion, but ask the city how results from more than one tester should be submitted.
Is my water unsafe after a failed test?
A failed test means the protection is not reliable. Ask the tester whether any use should stop until it is repaired.
Can a device fail right after passing last year?
Yes. Debris, pressure events or damage can cause a failure at any time, which is why testing is repeated.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.