Where and how an assembly is installed matters as much as which one you choose. RP assemblies have to stay above ground so the relief valve can drain. Vacuum breakers need to sit above the highest outlet they protect. Every device needs space around it for annual testing.
- PriceFree quote
- TimeUsually 1 day
- TestIncluded
- FilingIncluded
Need it done soon? Most tests are scheduled within a few days.
What a good install looks like
- PVBs and SVBs set high enough
- Relief valves free to drain
- Cages or covers where theft or freezing is a risk
- Easy access for annual testing
Where an assembly should go
Where an assembly sits affects whether it can work and whether it passes inspection. RP assemblies must be installed above ground, with enough space under them for the relief valve to drain freely. Putting an RP in a pit or a box that floods is one of the most common mistakes we see.
Pressure vacuum breakers and spill-resistant vacuum breakers have to be higher than the highest sprinkler head or outlet they protect, usually by at least 12 inches. On hillside lots, that can mean placing the device near the top of the yard instead of by the meter.
Double checks have more flexibility and are sometimes placed in vaults, especially on fire lines, but they still need room to be tested and repaired.
Clearance and access
Since every assembly gets tested yearly, it has to be easy to reach. Testers need space for the gauge hoses at the test cocks, room to turn the shutoffs, and enough clearance to open the checks for repairs.
A device crammed against a wall, hidden in bushes or tucked into a tight ceiling space can make a quick test drag on, or make a repair require cutting pipe. We plan the install so that doesn't happen.
Access for testers matters too. Behind a gate is fine at a house. At a business, a spot testers can reach without an escort saves everyone time.
Protecting the device after it's in
Southern California doesn't freeze often, but it does happen in some inland and higher-elevation areas. A single cold night can crack a brass body or bonnet. Insulated covers or enclosures help where it's a risk.
Theft is a bigger concern in many neighborhoods. Brass backflow assemblies near streets and parking lots are targets for scrap thieves, and a stolen device leaves an open pipe and an urgent repair. Locking cages bolted to a concrete pad are the usual answer.
We'll recommend protection based on where the device is going. If you'd like a cage or cover, it can be added to the installation quote.
Finishing the job
After installation and flushing, we test the new assembly using the same procedure as the yearly test. It confirms the device is installed right and working.
We file that first passing report with your district. That puts the device on record and sets its first annual due date. A copy goes to you.
After that, it needs a test every year. Add due date management if you'd like us to track the date and schedule it for you.
Raising or relocating an existing assembly
Some assemblies were installed in the wrong spot years ago: an RP in a pit, a PVB below the sprinklers or a device boxed in where no one can test it. Moving it is often the right fix.
Relocation involves new piping and fittings, and the device is retested afterward. If the old device is in good shape, we can often reuse it, which keeps the cost down.
Installs on construction projects
Construction projects have a lot of moving parts. We coordinate with general contractors, plumbers and landscapers to install the assembly at the right stage and test it once water is on.
Since final inspection often needs the startup report, we file it promptly.
Choosing materials and fittings
The assembly is only as good as what connects it. We use fittings rated for potable water and sized to match the device, with unions where they make future repairs easier. Larger assemblies get proper supports so the weight isn't hanging on the pipe.
Outdoor devices near sprinklers or soil get fittings that hold up to the weather. These details don't show on the test report, but they're the difference between an install that lasts and one that leaks in a few years.
After installation
The first test and report are included. From then on, plan on an annual test.
Questions
How long does installation take?
Most installs for 2-inch and smaller assemblies take a day.
Do you pour a pad for a cage?
Yes, when a cage is part of the job we include the pad it bolts to.
Do you add a cage or cover?
If theft or freezing is a risk, we recommend one and include it in the quote.
Can you move an existing assembly?
Yes. A moved assembly has to be retested afterward, and we include that.
Can a PVB go next to the meter?
Only if the meter is higher than every sprinkler it protects. On sloped yards it often needs to go uphill.
Can an RP go underground?
No. The relief valve has to drain, so RPs go above ground.
What to expect when you book backflow assembly installation
Booking takes a couple of minutes by phone or online. We confirm the address, the device and how to reach it, and we'll give you a time window that works for you. For most homes, you don't need to be there.
On the visit, a certified tester does the work with a calibrated gauge and explains anything that comes up in plain terms. If a repair is needed, you'll get the price before anything happens. When the device passes, we send the report to your water district and email you a copy. Our office is open seven days a week, 6am to 12pm, and emergency calls are answered around the clock.
Backflow Assembly Installation in Riverside and nearby
Need backflow Assembly Installation outside Riverside? We also cover Jurupa Valley, Grand Terrace, Colton, Loma Linda and Moreno Valley. Same-week visits are normal, and booking takes a couple of minutes.