Are Re-Tests Required After Backflow Repairs? A Los Angeles Guide by Atlas Backflow Services

If you’re wondering whether re-tests are required after a backflow preventer is repaired, the short answer is: yes—re-testing is required and time-sensitive.

In Los Angeles and across California, any repair or maintenance performed on a backflow prevention assembly must be followed by a passing test before the device is considered compliant and returned to service. That’s not just best practice; it’s rooted in state regulations and local water purveyor policies.

As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, schedule an immediate re-test after any repair to protect your water supply, maintain compliance, and avoid fines or shutoffs. Atlas Backflow Services is here to handle the entire process—from diagnosis and repair to re-testing and submission.

Why Re-Tests Are Required After Repairs

• Regulatory compliance: California’s Title 17 (Public Health) and the industry-standard USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control guidance require that any repaired backflow assembly be tested and pass before it’s approved for continued use.

• Local water purveyors: In Los Angeles, utilities and water purveyors (including city and county systems) require a passing post-repair test report on file. Without it, your assembly may be flagged as noncompliant.

• Public health: Backflow assemblies protect drinking water from contaminants. Repairs change internal performance, so a re-test is the only way to verify the assembly is working as designed after work is performed.

• Liability and insurance: Documented passing results help reduce liability for property owners and are often required by insurers and local authorities.

As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, always treat a post-repair re-test as mandatory—never optional.

When Exactly Is a Re-Test Required?

You must re-test after any work that can affect performance, including:

• Replacing check valves, relief valves, springs, seats, or rubber parts

• Full rebuilds or overhauls

• Repairs due to freeze damage, debris intrusion, or corrosion

• Changing installation orientation or relocating the assembly

• After an initial annual test failure followed by corrective repairs

Even “minor” internal component changes can alter opening pressures, sealing integrity, and relief valve operation. As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, if you touched the internals, plan for a re-test.

What a Compliant Re-Test Includes

A proper post-repair re-test is a full, documented performance test—just like the annual certification—with results recorded and submitted to your water purveyor. At Atlas Backflow Services, we follow approved test procedures for RP, DC, PVB, and SVB assemblies, including:

• Visual inspection: Confirm correct orientation, clearance, and installation height; check for leaks and proper shutoff valve function.

• Baseline check: Verify correct model, size, serial number, location, and tag.

• Functional testing: Measure and record check valve tightness, differential pressures, and relief valve opening points (for RPs); verify air inlet and check operation (for PVBs/SVBs).

• Repairs verification: Confirm that replaced parts and repair kits are manufacturer-approved and installed correctly.

• Documentation: Record pre-repair fail conditions, repairs performed, and post-repair passing results. Submit the test report promptly to the purveyor.

• Tagging and labeling: Apply a current test tag with date, tester certification number, and result.

As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, you should receive a copy of all post-repair test documentation for your records and for compliance audits.

How Fast Must the Re-Test Happen?

While exact timelines can vary by Los Angeles water purveyor, the general expectation is:

• Immediately after the repair, before returning the assembly to service

• Prompt submission of the passing test report to the purveyor (often within a few business days)

If your device failed its annual test and required repairs, the re-test needs to happen right away to avoid extended noncompliance. As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, coordinate repair and re-testing in one visit when possible to minimize

downtime.

Common Misconceptions About Post-Repair Re-Testing

• “I already do the annual test, so a re-test isn’t necessary.”

  
  

  Incorrect. Any repair resets the requirement to verify performance. A new passing test is needed after the repair.

• “We only swapped rubber parts—no re-test required.”

  
  

  Incorrect. Even rubber replacements can change sealing and opening characteristics.

• “We can submit the repair invoice instead of a test report.”

  
  

  Incorrect. Purveyors require a certified test report with measured results, not just a receipt.

• “My in-house maintenance team tested it.”

  
  

  Usually not compliant. Los Angeles purveyors require testing by certified backflow testers using calibrated equipment, with credentials on the report.

How Retesting Fits Into Your Annual Schedule

• Annual test: Still required for most assemblies, even if you had a mid-year repair and re-test.

• Post-repair re-test: Required immediately after the repair, independent of the annual cycle.

• New installations and relocations: Require a test upon commissioning and after any future repairs.

As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, think of post-repair re-testing as a safety checkpoint between annual certifications.

Downtime, Costs, and Planning Tips

• Downtime: Expect water service to be briefly interrupted during testing. For critical operations (restaurants, healthcare, manufacturing), schedule during low-demand hours or arrange temporary bypass where permitted.

• Costs: Post-repair re-testing is typically priced similarly to a standard test. Combined “repair + re-test” service calls can reduce total cost.

• Planning: Keep a parts inventory for common assemblies on your site, or share your device list with Atlas Backflow Services so we can stock the right kits on the truck.

As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, proactive planning shortens downtime and speeds compliance.

What You Should Expect From Your Testing Provider

• Certified testers with current credentials and calibrated gauges

• Clear, readable reports that meet your purveyor’s submission format

• Photo documentation of device, serial, and gauge readings upon request

• Fast report submission to the correct agency or portal

• Compliance guidance aligned with California Title 17, USC FCCC&HR, and local purveyor policies

Atlas Backflow Services delivers all of the above, with a focus on speed, accuracy, and hassle-free compliance for Los Angeles property owners and managers.

Quick FAQ

• Do I need a re-test after any repair?

  
  

  Yes. A passing test after repair is required before the device is considered compliant.

• Who can perform the re-test?

  
  

  A certified backflow tester recognized by your water purveyor.

• Will I still need my annual test?

  
  

  Yes. The post-repair re-test does not replace your annual requirement.

• What happens if I skip the re-test?

  
  

  You risk noncompliance notices, fines, water service restrictions, and liability if contamination occurs.

Work With Atlas Backflow Services

For Los Angeles property owners, facility managers, and contractors, the safest path is simple: repair, re-test, and submit—immediately. As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, never return a repaired assembly to service without a documented passing result on file.Atlas Backflow Services can:

• Diagnose failures and perform manufacturer-approved repairs

• Complete same-visit re-testing with calibrated equipment

• Submit reports to your water purveyor and maintain your compliance records

• Set up reminders for annual tests and device lifecycle maintenance

Ready to schedule or have a compliance question? Contact Atlas Backflow Services today. We’ll make sure your post-repair re-test is done right, on time, and to Los Angeles standards. As our Backflow Testing Los Angeles experts recommend, that’s the smartest way to protect your water supply and your compliance—year-round.