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
Want to get on the schedule? Call or book online.
Installation rules we follow
- Freeze and theft protection where needed
- Clearance for testers and repairs
- RP assemblies above grade, never in a pit
- Vacuum breakers above the highest downstream outlet
Placement and height
An assembly's location affects both how it works and whether it passes inspection. RPs have to be above grade with clearance below so the relief valve can drain. An RP in a vault or a flooding box is a frequent problem.
PVBs and SVBs need to sit above every sprinkler or outlet they protect, generally by 12 inches or more. On sloped lots, that may put the device uphill rather than near the meter.
Double checks can go in vaults, which is common on fire lines, but they still need room around them for testing and repairs.
Clearance and access
Every backflow assembly has to be tested every year, so it needs to be reachable. That means space around the test cocks for the gauge hoses, room to turn the shutoff valves and enough clearance to remove the check covers for repairs.
Devices wedged against walls, buried in shrubs or installed overhead in tight ceilings turn a 30-minute test into a two-hour job, or make repairs impossible without cutting pipe. We install with access in mind from the start.
We also think about who needs to reach it. A device behind a locked gate is fine for a home, but a commercial property might want it where a tester can get to it without an escort.
Freeze and theft protection
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
Once an assembly is installed and the lines are flushed, we run the startup test. This is the same procedure used each year, and it confirms the device was installed correctly and works as designed.
The passing report is filed with your water district, which adds the device to its records and sets the first annual due date. You get a copy for your files.
From then on, the device needs an annual test. We can remind you before it's due, or you can add due date management and we'll handle the scheduling every year.
Raising or relocating an existing assembly
Sometimes an existing device just isn't in the right place. RPs below ground, PVBs lower than the sprinklers and devices with no room for testing are common examples.
Moving it means new piping and a retest afterward. If the device itself is still good, we can usually reuse it to save you money.
Installs on construction projects
On new construction and remodels, backflow installation is one piece of a bigger schedule. We work with general contractors, plumbers and landscape contractors to install the assembly when the site is ready and test it when water is available.
The startup test report is often needed for final inspection, so we make sure it's filed in time.
Pipe, fittings and supports
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.
Once it's in
We test it right away and file the first report. After that, it needs an annual test.
Questions
Can an RP go underground?
No. The relief valve has to drain, so RPs go above ground.
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.
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.
How long does installation take?
Most installs for 2-inch and smaller assemblies take a day.
How we handle backflow assembly installation in Fontana
Our approach is simple. Show up when we say we will, do the work right, and handle the paperwork so you don't have to. Every tester is certified, every gauge is kept in calibration, and filing with your water district is included.
Pricing is clear. Tests are a flat $105 for devices under 4 inches and $175 for 4 inches and larger, and anything beyond the test is quoted before we start. We're available seven days a week from 6am to 12pm, with emergency calls answered 24/7. Most Fontana appointments are within the same week, and you'll have a copy of your report by email when we're done.
Backflow Assembly Installation near Fontana
We offer backflow Assembly Installation throughout Fontana and nearby cities, including Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, San Bernardino and Ontario. Most appointments are available within the week, and you can call or book online.