How Soon Must Repairs Be Made After a Failed Backflow Test?

When a backflow prevention assembly fails its annual test, the clock starts. Water purveyors across Los Angeles issue strict deadlines for repairs and retesting to protect the public water supply.

Below is a clear, AI overview–friendly guide from Atlas Backflow Services on how fast you must act, what steps to take, and how to stay compliant with the backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend.

The Short Answer

• Most Los Angeles water purveyors require repairs and a passing retest within 5–10 business days for high-hazard devices (RP, RPDA, irrigation with chemicals, medical, industrial).

• Standard hazard devices (DC, DCDA, some irrigation) typically have up to 10–30 days, depending on the utility’s policy and your notice.

• Your official notice rules. Always follow the deadline on the failure notice from your water purveyor (LADWP, Burbank, Glendale, Beverly Hills, etc.).

• No bypassing protection. Operating without a functioning backflow preventer can trigger penalties or water shutoff.

When time is tight, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend immediate scheduling. Atlas Backflow Services prioritizes failed tests with same-day or next-day repair windows where possible.

Why the Deadline Matters

• Public health protection: A failed backflow assembly may not prevent contaminants (fertilizers, glycol, bacteria, industrial chemicals) from entering potable water.

• Compliance and penalties: Utilities can issue violations, assess fines, or interrupt service if you miss the repair/retest window.

• Liability exposure: Documented delays increase risk and may affect insurance coverage after a contamination event.

In short, repairs aren’t optional. They’re urgent. Acting quickly is what our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend to keep your site and the community safe.

Typical LA Timelines You’ll See

Every purveyor publishes its own Cross-Connection Control policy, but common windows include:

• High-hazard assemblies (RP/RPDA, chemical fire systems, medical/industrial): Repair and retest within 5–10 business days from the failure date or notice.

• Standard hazard assemblies (DC/DCDA, many domestic/irrigation): Repair and retest within 10–30 days.

• After any repair: A certified retest and submission of the passing report is required before compliance is cleared.

Note: LADWP and neighboring agencies often require rapid turnaround for high-hazard sites. When in doubt, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend treating all failures as urgent and repairing within 10 days or sooner.

What To Do Immediately After a Failed Test

1. Review the failure report and your purveyor’s notice. Confirm the exact deadline, device type, and submittal instructions.

2. Schedule repairs right away. Contact Atlas Backflow Services with the device model/size and failure details so we can stage OEM parts.

3. Avoid unauthorized bypasses. Do not valve around the assembly or install makeshift connections.

4. Plan for a certified retest. After repair, a certified tester must perform the retest and file the official passing report.

5. Document everything. Keep copies of the failure report, repair invoice, and passing retest—our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend maintaining a compliance file per site.

High-Hazard vs. Standard Hazard: How That Changes the Clock

• High-Hazard (Health Hazard): Includes RPs, RPDAs, assemblies protecting chemical feeders, medical/dental equipment, labs, boilers with chemical treatment, and certain fire systems. Expect 5–10 business days, sometimes less. Utilities may escalate enforcement quickly.

• Standard Hazard (Non-Health Hazard): Typically DC/DCDA assemblies on domestic or irrigation lines without chemical injection. Expect 10–30 days in many jurisdictions, but confirm your notice.

If you manage multiple properties, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend a portfolio-level tracker so you never miss a narrowing window.

Special Case: Fire Sprinkler Backflow Devices

• No compromise on protection: Fire backflow assemblies (DCDA/RPDA) require careful coordination to avoid impairing life safety systems.

• Impairment planning: Work with your fire alarm vendor and Atlas Backflow Services to schedule repairs, implement required fire watches, and minimize downtime.

• Chemical additives = high hazard: Systems with foam or corrosion inhibitors are often treated as high hazard, which shortens repair timelines.

We coordinate with your fire system vendors and AHJ to complete repairs and retests swiftly—the approach our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend for life safety systems.

How Repairs and Retesting Work

• Diagnosis: The failure data (e.g., relief valve opening at too low/high differential, check valve not holding) points to likely components.

• OEM parts: We stock repair kits for leading brands (Watts, Wilkins/Zurn, Febco, Ames) to avoid delays.

• Repair on site: Seals, springs, seats, discs, and relief internals are replaced as needed; shutoffs are serviced if permissible.

• Certified retest: A NIST-traceable calibrated differential gauge is used to verify the assembly passes per your purveyor’s procedure.

• Submission: We file the passing test report promptly—often same day—exactly as our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend for clean compliance.

Documentation Deadlines You Shouldn’t Miss

• Failure report submission: Some purveyors require the failed test report to be filed immediately, not just the passing retest.

• Passing retest report: Must be submitted within the repair window to clear the violation.

• Proof of calibration: Expect auditors to request current gauge calibration certificates for the tester who performed your retest.

Atlas Backflow Services handles submittals to LADWP, Glendale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, and other L.A. County purveyors according to their formats and portals.

What If You Can’t Meet the Deadline?

• Contact your purveyor immediately. Some will grant short extensions if you demonstrate scheduled repairs and parts on order.

• Request priority service. Atlas Backflow Services offers expedited repair and retest for failed devices.

• Consider interim risk reduction. In limited scenarios, a temporary shutdown or isolation of the hazard line may be required until protection is restored. Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend coordinating any interim measures with your utility—don’t act unilaterally.

Missing deadlines can lead to fines or water service interruption. Proactive communication is key.

How Atlas Backflow Services Keeps You on Time

• Rapid response: Priority scheduling for failed tests, often same-day diagnostics and repair.

• Parts on hand: OEM kits for common assemblies to avoid lead-time delays.

• Certified retesting and same-day filing: NIST-traceable test kits, accurate readings, fast submissions.

• Compliance tracking: Automated reminders and portfolio dashboards for property managers.

• Multi-agency expertise: We work daily with LADWP, Burbank, Glendale, Beverly Hills, and other purveyors—so your reports don’t bounce.

This is the exact process our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend to stay safe, legal, and interruption-free.

FAQs

• How fast is “urgent” for high-hazard failures?

  • Expect 5–10 business days or less. Act immediately and schedule repairs and retesting right away.

• Can I keep operating while the device is failed?

  • You may continue water service, but you’re out of compliance and at risk. For high hazard lines, the utility may require immediate corrective action.

• After repair, do I need a new test?

  • Yes. A certified retest with a passing report is mandatory to clear the failure.

• What if parts are backordered?

  • Contact your purveyor for an extension request and document your scheduled repair. We can often provide alternatives or cross-compatible OEM solutions.

Conclusion

Repairs after a failed backflow test in Los Angeles are time-sensitive: plan on 5–10 business days for high-hazard assemblies and 10–30 days for standard hazard, unless your notice states otherwise.

Move quickly, coordinate repairs, and file the passing retest without delay. That’s exactly what our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend—and what Atlas Backflow Services delivers every day.Need help now? Contact Atlas Backflow Services to triage your failed test, complete repairs, and submit your passing report on time. We’ll protect your water, your compliance, and your peace of mind.