Cross-connection inspections look for places where the drinking water system touches equipment or lines that could contaminate it. We note each connection, whether it's protected, and what kind of device it needs if it isn't.
- PriceFree quote
- ReportWritten list
- Best forCommercial sites
- Follow-upInstall if needed
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.
Common places we check
- Boilers, chillers and cooling towers
- Irrigation and fertilizer injection systems
- Hose connections and utility sinks
- Medical and dental equipment
- Commercial kitchens and dish machines
What a cross-connection is
A cross-connection is any point where drinking water could come into contact with something that shouldn't be in it. It might be a hose sitting in a bucket of cleaning solution, an irrigation system with a fertilizer injector, a boiler with treatment chemicals, or a dental chair's water line.
Normally water flows one way, from the main into your building. But if pressure drops on the street side, say from a main break or a fire hydrant being opened, water can be pulled backward. That's called backsiphonage. If pressure on your side rises above the supply pressure, from a pump or a boiler, water can be pushed backward. That's backpressure.
Either way, contaminated water can end up in the supply. Backflow protection exists to stop that at every cross-connection.
How the inspection works
A cross-connection inspection starts with a walk through the property, following the water lines from the meter to the points of use. We look at irrigation systems, mechanical rooms, kitchens, labs, wash areas, hose bibbs and any equipment connected to the water supply.
At each connection, we note what's attached, what hazard it poses and whether it's protected. If there's already a backflow device, we check that it's the right type for the hazard. If there's nothing, we note what protection the connection would need.
At the end, you get a written list. Requirements for who can perform formal surveys vary by water district, and some ask for a cross-connection control specialist. Tell us what your district asked for and we'll confirm how to meet it.
Who usually needs one
Districts usually focus on businesses and larger properties: restaurants, clinics, dental offices, car washes, factories, schools, hotels and apartment buildings.
A change in how a space is used is a common trigger. When a shop becomes a restaurant or an office becomes a medical suite, the risk changes and the district may ask for a fresh look.
Owners also request inspections on their own before buying, remodeling or going through an audit. If you received a letter from your district, it should spell out what's required and the deadline. Forward it to us and we'll handle the rest.
Matching protection to what we find
Protection depends on the hazard. An air gap, an open space between the outlet and what it fills, is the strongest option. For high hazards where an air gap won't work, an RP assembly is the standard.
Lower hazards may be fine with a double check. Connections only at risk of backsiphonage, such as many irrigation systems, can sometimes use a PVB or SVB if the layout fits.
The district decides what's acceptable for each situation. After the inspection, we can quote the needed devices, install them, test them and file the first reports, all in one plan.
Common hazards by business type
Hazards tend to follow the type of business. Restaurants have beverage systems, dish machines and chemical dispensers on hoses. Clinics and dental offices have equipment and sterilizer lines. Car washes inject chemicals. Factories have process water, cooling systems and storage tanks.
We know where to look first, but every connection gets checked, because one-off setups show up all the time.
Testing new devices after the survey
If the inspection leads to new backflow devices, each one needs a startup test once it's installed. Those reports tell your district the connections are now protected.
From then on, every new device joins your yearly testing schedule. If you'd like, we'll track the due dates for all of them so nothing slips.
Pricing a cross-connection inspection
Cost depends on the property's size and the number of connections to review. A single small suite is quick. A campus with several buildings takes more time.
Share the address, the type of business and your district's letter if you have one. You'll get a free quote before anything is booked.
After the inspection
You get a written list of what we found. Where a device is needed, we can handle the installation.
Questions
What happens with what you find?
You get a list of each connection and what it needs. You decide what to fix and when.
Who needs a cross-connection inspection?
Usually commercial, industrial, medical and multi-unit properties, or any site your water district asks to be surveyed.
Does my district require this?
Some do for commercial and multi-unit sites, especially after a change of use. Check your letter or ask us.
How long does a cross-connection inspection take?
A small commercial space may take an hour. Larger sites with several buildings take longer, and we'll estimate when you call.
Is this the same as a backflow test?
No. A test checks a device that's already installed. A cross-connection inspection checks whether you have the devices you need.
Do homes ever need one?
Rarely, but it can come up with wells, pools or home businesses. Call if your district asked.
Working with a local backflow company
When you call us about cross-connection inspection, you're talking to a company that focuses on backflow prevention. That focus means we know the devices, the test procedures and what your water district expects to see on the report.
Here's what you can count on: certified testers, calibrated gauges, a price before any work, and filing with your district included. Testing is $105 flat per device under 4 inches and $175 for 4 inches and up. We pick up seven days a week from 6am to 12pm, book most visits within the week and take emergency calls 24/7. Every customer gets a copy of the report for their records.
Cross-Connection Inspection in Redlands and nearby
Need cross-Connection Inspection outside Redlands? We also cover Loma Linda, Mentone, Calimesa, Highland and Yucaipa. Same-week visits are normal, and booking takes a couple of minutes.