Each type of backflow preventer has its own test procedure and pass standard. An RP is checked for relief valve opening and both checks. A double check needs both checks to hold. A PVB or SVB is checked for the air inlet and the check. We run the right procedure for what you have.
- 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.
Devices we test
- Spill-resistant vacuum breakers (SVB)
- Pressure vacuum breakers (PVB)
- Double check valve assemblies
- Fire line detector assemblies (DCDA, RPDA)
- Reduced pressure (RP or RPZ) assemblies
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
A double check valve assembly has two independent check valves in a row and no relief valve. It's approved for lower-hazard connections, like many fire sprinkler systems and some irrigation and domestic lines.
The test confirms that each check valve holds pressure in the direction it's supposed to. The tester isolates each check in turn using the shutoff valves and test cocks, then reads the gauge.
Double checks are often installed below ground in vaults or boxes, especially on fire lines. That can make access the hardest part of the job. If your device sits in a vault that fills with water or dirt, let us know when you book so we come ready to pump it out before the test.
Testing PVBs and SVBs
PVBs and SVBs are common on residential and commercial irrigation. They're the above-ground devices with a bonnet on top, usually near the sprinkler valves. Their job is to stop water from being siphoned back out of the sprinkler lines when pressure drops on the supply side.
The test checks two things: that the air inlet opens and that the check valve holds tight. It's quick, and these are often the easiest devices to reach.
Placement matters with these. They need to be above the highest downstream sprinkler or outlet to work as designed. If yours looks too low, we'll tell you, because a device can pass its readings and still be installed wrong.
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
Condition counts more than type. A well-maintained older device often passes without trouble, and a newer one on a dirty line can fail.
Age still plays a part, since rubber and springs wear out over time. When a device gets old enough that parts are hard to source, we'll tell you so you can plan a replacement on your schedule instead of in a hurry.
Not sure what's installed?
A quick photo is usually enough for us to tell. Or read our comparison guide.
Questions
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 an RPZ the same as an RP?
Yes. Both names refer to a reduced pressure principle assembly.
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.
Is the price different for an RP?
No. We charge by size: $105 under 4 inches, $175 for 4 inches and larger.
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.
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.
Why Redlands customers call us for backflow preventer 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.
Backflow Preventer Testing in Redlands and nearby
Need backflow Preventer Testing outside Redlands? We also cover Loma Linda, Mentone, Calimesa, Highland and Yucaipa. Same-week visits are normal, and booking takes a couple of minutes.