Some devices are too far gone to rebuild. We'll swap in a new one that your district accepts, test it on the spot, and handle the filing.
- PriceFree quote
- Time2–4 hours
- TestIncluded
- FilingIncluded
Want to get on the schedule? Call or book online.
When a new device makes more sense
- The body is cracked from a freeze or impact
- It was stolen
- Parts are no longer made
- It keeps failing after repairs
Not sure? We'll check whether a repair will do first.
Signs a device should be replaced
Repair is usually the cheaper option, but there are times it isn't. A cracked body, from freezing or something hitting it, can't be fixed safely. The whole device needs to go.
Very old devices can be a problem as well. Some models were discontinued long ago, and parts are scarce. Others have worn seats that won't seal no matter how many new kits go in.
And when a device keeps failing every year despite repairs, a replacement often pays for itself compared with ongoing fixes.
Replacing a stolen backflow assembly
Brass theft is a real problem in many parts of Southern California, including around Fontana. Thieves cut backflow assemblies off at the pipe and sell them for scrap, leaving an open line behind.
If yours was stolen, close the water at the meter if it's still running, then call us. We can usually replace common sizes the same day and test the new device before we leave. The passing report goes to your water district right away.
We'll also recommend a locking cage bolted to a concrete pad. It's a small cost compared with replacing the device a second time.
When the district requires a different device
A device can work perfectly and still need replacing if it's the wrong type for how the water is used now. When a shop becomes a restaurant or an office becomes a clinic, the district may require an RP in place of a double check.
District reviews sometimes catch a device that was never correct for the connection. Those get replaced with the type the hazard calls for.
Before quoting, we check the district's requirements so the replacement is approved without a second round.
How a replacement goes
Replacement starts with confirming the right type and size. In many cases it's the same as what's there, but not always. We'll check whether the existing setup meets current rules for placement, height and clearance, since moving or raising the device during replacement is easier than doing it later.
The water is shut off, the old device comes out, and the new one goes in with new fittings as needed. For most homes and small businesses, that takes two to four hours.
Then the new device is tested, and the passing report is filed with your water district. You get a copy. The device's annual due date usually resets from the date of the new test.
What a replacement costs
Cost depends on the device's type and size and on how much plumbing has to change. A small home device is a very different job from a 4-inch fire line assembly, and a straight swap costs less than one that needs to be relocated.
We give free quotes. Each quote covers the device, installation, the test and filing with your district.
If repair is also an option, you'll get both prices so you can decide which makes more sense.
How fast we can replace a device
For common residential and light commercial sizes, we can often replace a device the same day, especially after a theft. Larger or less common devices may need to be ordered.
When you call, tell us the size and type if you know it, or send a photo. We'll check stock and give you the earliest time.
Keeping the replacement safe
It makes sense to protect a new device. A locking cage deters theft, and an insulated cover helps where freezes happen. Either can go on the quote.
We also make sure the replacement is placed right, so yearly tests and future service stay simple.
Should the device stay where it is?
A replacement is a good time to ask whether the device is in the right spot. If the old one sat in a flooding box, below the sprinklers or squeezed where nobody could test it, moving the new one fixes the problem for good.
Sometimes the location is fine and the new device drops right in. We'll tell you which applies and price it either way.
Whatever the reason for replacement, the new device starts a fresh record with your water district. Its first passing report sets the next due date, and from there it's tested once a year like any other device.
Questions
Should I repair or replace a failed backflow preventer?
Repair, most of the time. A rebuild kit fixes the majority of failures. We'd only suggest a new one if the body is cracked, parts aren't available, it was stolen, or your property now needs a different type. More on replacement.
Can a stolen one be replaced the same day?
Often, if the size is in stock. Call and we'll check.
What to expect when you book backflow replacement
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.
Where we offer Backflow Replacement
Our testers handle backflow Replacement across Fontana and the surrounding area, from Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, San Bernardino and Ontario. Call for the next opening or schedule online.