| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | Varies by home - confirm in your quote; $3 per linear foot permit fee |
| Time | Tested immediately after installation, then at least yearly |
| Who's qualified | Installer needs DES-approved backflow training; tester must be state-certified |
Mount Pleasant, SC: what's different here
Mount Pleasant sits in Charleston County, South Carolina, about 9 miles and roughly 15 minutes by car from downtown Charleston via the main highway. Local permitting and licensing rules for plumbing-related work apply here, so check requirements before work starts. Homeowners should confirm the permit path and the pro's credentials before scheduling an installation.
Who is allowed to install a backflow assembly in Mount Pleasant?
Charleston County says only licensed contractors may work on a property, apart from the homeowner or immediate family. South Carolina law requires anyone who installs, repairs, troubleshoots, or services a backflow prevention assembly to hold current certification from a DES-approved backflow assembly training seminar. In Mount Pleasant, some plumbing-related work requires proof of a current South Carolina contractor's license before a permit is issued.
Does a backflow assembly installation in Mount Pleasant need a permit?
Charleston County says a homeowner does not need a permit for work under $1,000 if no inspection is required and the homeowner does the actual work. Mount Pleasant's notice shows a building permit-related fee item of $3 per linear foot. Charleston County's building inspection fee schedule lists a $50.00 license/registration application fee.
When must a new backflow assembly be tested in Mount Pleasant?
South Carolina requires each backflow assembly to be tested by a certified tester after installation and before the customer uses it. Assemblies must also be tested at least once a year after that. All testing must be done by a state-certified backflow prevention tester.
Which backflow assemblies are approved for installation in Mount Pleasant?
South Carolina requires backflow prevention assemblies to appear on the SC DES approved assembly list. Reduced pressure principle assemblies may not be installed in any location subject to possible flooding. Assemblies may not be placed in pits or vaults unless a gravity drain to the ground surface can handle the relief-valve discharge rate.
What to do next
- Ask the pro for proof of a current South Carolina contractor's license and insurance before any permit is pulled.
- Confirm the installer holds current certification from a DES-approved backflow assembly training seminar.
- Check that the assembly is on the SC DES approved assembly list before purchase.
- Ask the quote to include the immediate post-installation test by a state-certified backflow prevention tester, plus the $3 per linear foot permit fee if it applies.
- Call (843) 286-4721 or email [email protected] for a free quote from a licensed, insured local backflow tester.
CHS Backflow is a free referral service: an independent contractor does the work and may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything.
