Permitted & Code-Compliant
Every install is 100% code-compliant and permitted. No shortcuts that turn into a failed inspection — or a denied insurance claim — years later.
Pressure Vacuum Breakers
The Most Common Freeze Casualty in the Hill Country
A pressure vacuum breaker sits above ground on an irrigation system and stops sprinkler water siphoning back into the drinking supply. Because it is outdoors and holds water, it is the single component most reliably destroyed by a Texas hard freeze.
Every freeze event we get a wave of the same call: the PVB has split and is spraying. Draining and insulating it before winter takes minutes and avoids the whole thing.
- Master Plumber M-19076 — licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
- Local since 1986 The Wizards of Comfort, based in Fredericksburg.
- Backed in writing Written guarantees on every job we do.
What to Watch For
PVB Problems
Mostly freeze-related.
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Spraying or leaking from the assembly
A split body or bonnet after a freeze.
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Continuous discharge
A failed check or a stuck poppet.
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Low irrigation pressure
Internal restriction or partial failure.
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A testing notice from your supplier
Annual certification due.
What We Do
PVB Services
Repair, replacement, testing and winterisation.
- Repair and rebuild Bonnets, poppets and check assemblies.
- Replacement Correct size and type for the system.
- Annual testing Certified and filed.
- Winterisation Drained and insulated — the whole problem, prevented.
How It Works
What a Pressure Vacuum Breakers Call Looks Like
No mystery, no pressure. You know the price before we pick up a tool.
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You Call, We Schedule
Tell us what the system is doing. We book the soonest window that works for you — including nights and weekends, with no after-hours surcharge.
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We Diagnose the Real Cause
A licensed technician tests the system rather than guessing from the symptom, so you are not paying to replace parts that were never the problem.
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You Approve the Price First
We explain what failed, what it takes to fix it, and what it costs. Nothing gets done until you say go.
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We Repair and Verify
Most repairs are finished on the first visit from parts already on the truck. We test the system before we leave and back the work in writing.
Current Specials
Save on the work your home needs most.
Plumbing
$50 Off
$50 Off Any Heating Service
Any Heating Service Call
Expires 12/31/2026
Plumbing
$99
$99 Water Heater Tank Flush and Safety Check
Water Heater Tank Flush & Safety Check
Expires 12/31/2026
Plumbing
Up to $300 Off
Up To $300 Off A New Tank Water Heater
A New Tank Water Heater
Expires 12/31/2026
Plumbing
$50 Off
$50 Off Any Plumbing Service
Any Plumbing Service Call
Expires 12/31/2026
Why Choose 72 Degrees
Fully Stocked Trucks
Our trucks carry the parts the Hill Country actually needs, so most repairs are finished on the first visit instead of waiting on a return trip.
Fair, Upfront Pricing
You approve the price before we start. No surprises on the invoice, and no overtime premium for nights or weekends.
Written Guarantees
Our work is backed in writing. If something is not right, we come back and make it right.
Available 24/7
A 100-degree August afternoon and a February hard freeze do not keep business hours. Neither do we.
The Wizards of Comfort
Serving Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Boerne and the surrounding Hill Country since 1986 — nearly four decades in the same communities.
Need Pressure Vacuum Breakers Today?
We answer 24/7 — nights, weekends and holidays, at no extra charge.
What Our Customers Say
Don't just take our word for it — hear from our satisfied customers
★★★★★
I call 72 Degrees for ALL my AC, HVAC, and plumbing needs, large and small. They provide reliable and friendly service, indeed!
Maintenance Membership
Join the Care Club
Total home comfort care, on a schedule.
Members get priority scheduling, seasonal HVAC tune-ups, an annual whole-home plumbing safety inspection, and exclusive discounts — for less than the cost of a single emergency call.
- Priority scheduling
- Seasonal HVAC tune-ups
- Annual safety inspection
- Exclusive member discounts
- Free dispatch on repairs
- No long-term contracts
Pressure Vacuum Breakers — Common Questions
What Are the Common Causes of a Pressure Vacuum Breaker Leaking?
Why a Leaking PVB Is a Sign Your Backflow Protection Needs Attention
When a pressure vacuum breaker starts leaking, it’s often a sign that internal components are no longer sealing properly. In Fredericksburg and across the Texas Hill Country, one of the most common causes is worn or deteriorated seals, which can happen naturally over time as the device is exposed to pressure changes and outdoor conditions. Freezing temperatures can also crack internal parts if the PVB wasn’t properly winterized, leading to persistent leaks once the system is turned back on. Another frequent issue is debris inside the valve. Dirt, sand, or mineral buildup can prevent the internal components from closing fully, allowing water to escape. Because a leaking PVB can compromise your sprinkler system and your home’s water safety, repairs should be handled by a professional. At 72 Degrees Texas, trained plumbers inspect the device, identify the root cause of the leak, and make the necessary repairs to ensure your pressure vacuum breaker is working correctly and your sprinkler system operates smoothly and safely.
What Are the Steps Involved in Installing a Pressure Vacuum Breaker for a Sprinkler System?
How Proper PVB Installation Protects Your Water Supply
Installing a pressure vacuum breaker is a precise process designed to protect your home’s drinking water from contamination caused by backflow. The first step is selecting the correct location, which is typically above ground and elevated to meet local plumbing and irrigation code requirements. This placement is critical to ensuring the device can properly prevent contaminated water from flowing backward into the main supply. Next, the main water line feeding the sprinkler system is carefully cut, and the pressure vacuum breaker is securely installed using professional fittings and supports. Once in place, the system is pressurized and tested to confirm the PVB is functioning as intended and providing reliable protection. In Fredericksburg and throughout the Texas Hill Country, proper installation is especially important to meet local regulations and avoid future compliance issues. At 72 Degrees Texas, experienced plumbers handle every step of the installation with attention to detail, ensuring your sprinkler system is protected, code-compliant, and built for long-term reliability.
What Is a Pressure Vacuum Breaker, and How Does It Work?
How a Pressure Vacuum Breaker Keeps Your Water Safe
A pressure vacuum breaker is most commonly used on sprinkler and irrigation systems to prevent backflow. It works by allowing water to flow in only one direction—out toward your sprinkler system—while automatically blocking reverse flow if water pressure drops unexpectedly. This is critical during events like a water main break or sudden pressure loss, which can otherwise pull contaminated water back into your home’s potable water supply. Inside the PVB are internal valves and an air inlet that react instantly to pressure changes. When pressure is normal, the system operates as usual. If pressure drops, the device opens to break the vacuum and closes off the supply, preventing fertilizers, chemicals, or bacteria from entering your drinking water. In Fredericksburg and throughout the Texas Hill Country, pressure vacuum breakers are often required by code for irrigation systems and must be installed and maintained correctly to function as intended. At 72 Degrees Texas, our plumbers specialize in the professional installation and maintenance of pressure vacuum breakers, ensuring your system meets local requirements and continues to protect your water supply reliably over time.
Why Does My Home Need a Pressure Vacuum Breaker?
The Hidden Plumbing Device That Protects Your Home’s Water Supply
A pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) is a critical backflow prevention device designed to keep polluted water from entering your home’s clean water lines. In many Fredericksburg and Texas Hill Country homes, PVBs are required for sprinkler systems, irrigation lines, and certain outdoor water connections where fertilizers, pesticides, or bacteria could be present. Without a pressure vacuum breaker, sudden drops in water pressure—such as during a water main break or heavy system demand—can cause contaminated water to siphon backward into the potable water supply. This is known as backflow, and it can affect not just your home, but the broader municipal water system. Local plumbing codes often require pressure vacuum breakers to be professionally installed and maintained to ensure proper protection. At 72 Degrees Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing, we install and service pressure vacuum breakers to meet code requirements and safeguard Hill Country homes from backflow risks. Learn more about our expert backflow prevention services and how we help keep your water safe.
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