California requires every backflow assembly to pass a test at least once every 12 months. Your district tracks each device and mails a notice when it's due. We test it, file the passing report and note the date so next year is easy.
- 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.
Ready to book? Same-week appointments.
How the yearly cycle works
- The clock resets for another 12 months
- Your district mails a notice before the due date
- The passing report gets filed with the district
- You book a test with a certified tester
Why the test comes back every 12 months
Nobody can look at a backflow device and tell whether it still works. It can look clean and shiny and still have a check valve that won't seal. That's the reason California's cross-connection rules call for a test at least once a year, on every assembly, at every property.
The parts that do the work are small: rubber discs, seats, springs and, on some devices, a relief valve. Grit from the water main settles on them. Heat dries out the rubber. Springs weaken slowly. Any of those can let water slip backward when pressure changes.
A yearly test catches that while it's still a cheap fix. It also gives your water district the paperwork it needs to show the public supply is protected, which is why they track every device by address and due date.
What the yearly visit looks like
Here's how a normal yearly visit goes. We arrive, find the device and look it over. Then the tester connects a calibrated gauge to the test cocks and closes the shutoff valves one at a time to take readings.
You'll lose water for a few minutes during the test. We let you know before we close anything, so you're not caught in the shower or in the middle of a busy lunch rush.
Once the readings are in, the tester opens the valves back up and checks for leaks. A passing result goes straight onto the report your district requires, and we submit it for you. A copy lands in your inbox. If a reading comes up short, you see the number, hear what's likely wrong and get the repair price first. Most repairs happen the same day, then we test again so the report shows a pass.
Staying ahead of your due date
Your water district sets a due date for each device, usually based on when it was last tested. A few weeks before that date, a notice goes out by mail. If no passing report comes in, a second notice follows, and many districts send a final notice that lists a date when water service to the device may be shut off.
The simplest way to avoid all of that is to book as soon as the first notice shows up. Same-week appointments are normal for us, so there's usually no reason to wait.
If you've already missed the date, don't panic. Call us, send a photo of the latest notice and we'll get you tested as quickly as we can. Once the report is filed, the follow-up letters stop. Customers who don't want to think about this again can add due date management, and we'll reach out before each year's date.
Homes, businesses and everything in between
For most homeowners, annual testing means one device, usually on the irrigation line or near the meter. The visit is quick, and the price is the flat $105 for anything under 4 inches.
Businesses tend to have more going on. A single commercial property can have a device on the domestic line, another on irrigation and a larger one on the fire sprinkler service. Each device has its own due date and its own report, even when they sit side by side.
Restaurants, medical and dental offices, car washes and buildings with boilers or cooling towers usually have high-hazard protection like RP assemblies. These get the same annual test, just with a few more readings. Fire line devices of 4 inches and larger are $175 each. If you have several devices, ask about our multi-device pricing so they can all be tested on the same trip.
Choosing who tests your device
Not just anyone can test a backflow device. Districts accept reports only from certified testers, and many maintain a list of approved testers for their area. It's worth asking any company three things: are you certified, is your gauge calibrated and do you file the report?
The answer from us is yes to all three. Certified testers, calibrated gauges, and the report goes to your district as part of the price.
Keeping your records
Hold on to each year's report. If the district ever loses a submission, or a buyer, insurer or inspector asks for proof, your copy settles it quickly.
The report also tells the story of your device. A device that passes cleanly year after year is in good shape. One that needed repairs two years running might be nearing the end of its life. We keep copies of every report we file, so if you misplace yours, just ask and we'll send it again.
Never miss a year
Add due date management and we'll contact you before the next one comes up.
Questions
Do new devices need an annual test too?
Yes. A new device is tested when it's installed, and then every year after that.
Can I test early?
Yes. Testing before the due date is fine, and your next due date usually moves to a year from the test.
Is the annual test the same every year?
Yes. Same test, same report. The only thing that changes is whether the device needs a repair.
Does the due date change after I test?
Usually it moves to about a year after your test date. Your next notice will show it.
What if I skip a year?
Your district will send follow-up letters and can eventually shut off water to the device. It's easier to just get it tested.
Can you test several years' worth at once if I'm behind?
No, a test only covers the year it's done. One passing test now brings you current, and the next one is due in about a year.
Why Redlands customers call us for annual backflow testing
We're a local company that focuses on backflow prevention. Every test is run by a certified tester with a calibrated gauge, and every report is filed with your water district as part of the job, not as an add-on.
You'll know the price before any work starts. Testing is a flat $105 per device under 4 inches and $175 for 4 inches and up, and repairs, replacements and installs are quoted first. We answer the phone seven days a week from 6am to 12pm, same-week appointments are normal, and emergency calls are taken 24/7. When the job's done, you get a copy of the report by email so you always have proof on hand.
Where we offer Annual Backflow Testing
Our testers handle annual Backflow Testing across Redlands and the surrounding area, from Loma Linda, Mentone, Calimesa, Highland and Yucaipa. Call for the next opening or schedule online.