Not every backflow preventer is tested the same way. We identify your device type, run the procedure that matches it, record the readings and send the results to your district.
- Price$105 flat
- TimeUnder an hour
- SchedulingSame week
- FilingIncluded
Pricing
| Backflow size | Flat fee per backflow |
|---|---|
| Under 4" | $105 |
| 4" and larger | $175 |
Includes the test and filing with your water district. No hidden fees.
Need it done soon? Most tests are scheduled within a few days.
Devices we test
- Double check valve assemblies
- Reduced pressure (RP or RPZ) assemblies
- Pressure vacuum breakers (PVB)
- Spill-resistant vacuum breakers (SVB)
- Fire line detector assemblies (DCDA, RPDA)
Testing reduced pressure (RP) assemblies
A reduced pressure principle assembly, often called an RP or RPZ, is the device used on high-hazard connections. It has two check valves with a relief valve between them. If either check leaks, the relief valve opens and dumps water out of the bottom instead of letting it travel backward.
Testing an RP takes a few more steps than other devices. The tester checks the point where the relief valve starts to open, then checks the first check valve and the second check valve to make sure each one holds tight.
Because RPs protect against the worst kinds of contamination, districts watch them closely. A relief valve that drips during normal use is a common sign that the first check is fouled or worn. We'll point that out even if the device squeaks by on test day, since it usually means a failure is coming.
How a double check is tested
Double check valve assemblies use two check valves back to back. There's no relief valve, so they're used where the hazard is lower, such as many fire sprinkler services and some landscape and building lines.
Testing one means checking each valve separately. The tester closes the shutoffs, connects the gauge to the test cocks and confirms both checks hold.
These devices are often in underground boxes or vaults. If yours tends to collect water, mud or critters, mention it when you schedule. We'll bring what we need to clear it out so the test can go ahead on the same trip.
Testing PVBs and SVBs
Pressure vacuum breakers (PVBs) and spill-resistant vacuum breakers (SVBs) are the devices you see sticking up above ground on a lot of Riverside sprinkler systems. They protect against backsiphonage, which happens when pressure on the street side drops and water could get pulled back out of your lines.
Each has a spring-loaded check valve and an air inlet that opens to break a vacuum. The test confirms the air inlet opens when it should and the check valve holds.
These devices have to sit higher than every sprinkler head or outlet downstream of them. If yours was installed too low, it may pass the test but still not meet code. We'll mention it if we see it, so you're not surprised by a district inspection later.
Testing devices on fire sprinkler services
Fire sprinkler services usually have a detector assembly, either a double check type (DCDA) or a reduced pressure type (RPDA). A small bypass line with a meter runs alongside the main device to show whether water is moving through the fire line.
Both the main assembly and the bypass get tested. Since most fire line devices are 4 inches or bigger, they fall in our $175 per device tier.
Because shutting a fire line valve can set off alarms or affect monitoring, we talk with you or your building manager before we start. If an alarm company needs to be notified, we'll let you know ahead of time so the test goes smoothly.
Identifying your device
Most devices have the manufacturer's name and model cast into the body or printed on a tag. The model number usually tells you the type. If you can't read it, shape helps: an RP has a relief valve port on the bottom between two checks, a double check has two check covers and no relief port, and a PVB or SVB has a bonnet on top with a single check.
You don't need to know before you book. A photo is enough for us to tell, and the tester confirms it on site before starting.
How age affects results
Device type matters less than condition when it comes to passing. A ten-year-old double check that has been rebuilt on schedule can pass easily, while a three-year-old RP on a line full of debris can fail.
That said, older devices do fail more often as rubber ages and parts wear. If yours is old enough that parts are getting hard to find, we'll mention it, so replacement can be planned instead of rushed.
Not sure what's installed?
See how to tell RP, double check and PVB apart, or just send us a photo.
Questions
Do all types cost the same to test?
Pricing goes by size, not type: $105 for devices under 4 inches and $175 for 4 inches and up.
Can you test a device installed underground?
Yes. Let us know when you book if the vault fills with water or dirt so we come ready to clear it.
Is an RPZ the same as an RP?
Yes. Both names refer to a reduced pressure principle assembly.
Which type is most common on homes?
On sprinkler lines it's usually a PVB or double check. On the main line it's often a double check or RP.
Do fire line devices need the fire department?
Usually not for the test itself, but we coordinate with you first since closing valves can trigger alarms.
Is the price different for an RP?
No. We charge by size: $105 under 4 inches, $175 for 4 inches and larger.
What to expect when you book backflow preventer testing
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 Preventer Testing near Riverside
We offer backflow Preventer Testing throughout Riverside and nearby cities, including Jurupa Valley, Grand Terrace, Colton, Loma Linda and Moreno Valley. Most appointments are available within the week, and you can call or book online.