When installing a backwater valve in Vaughan its purpose is to help protect your basement from sewer backups. There can be times where sewer backups occur and you’re left with a nasty mess. Sewer lines from your home’s drainage system can become backed up from the municipal sewer and force water into your home through drains in your basement.
Installing a backwater valve can help stop this from occurring.
Here are some things you should know about backwater valves if you’re looking to have one installed in your Vaughan home.
What Does a Backwater Valve Do?
The backwater valve will be installed on your home’s drain that leads away from your house. The sewer water will pass through this valve and lead into the municipal sewer line.
As you can see there is only one way for the water to pass through the valve.
If there were any sewer to come back from the municipal sewer line towards your home it would hit this valve and not be able to pass through.
The valve acts as a one-way door to your sewer line.
Which can save you if you have drains located in your basement. Since these drains are at the lowest point in your home. If the sewer line gets too full it will look for an opening to release the extra water.
If you don’t have a backwater valve installed that could be your basement.
How Does Sewer Backup Get Into Your Basement?
You probably don’t think about your main sewer line too often.
When you flush a toilet, take a shower, run the sink or use an appliance that uses water. It all travels through your home’s drainage system towards your city sewer.
Under normal circumstances this will travel away from your home.
But if the sewer becomes overloaded or your drain becomes clogged. Something can happen to cause your wastewater to flow in the opposite direction.
Heavy rain can play a factor in this as well. If the rain is heavy enough it can overwhelm municipal sewer systems and contribute to backup conditions.
Another cause would be if your sewer line became clogged. Professional drain cleaning can help when a blockage is part of the problem.
This can cause the wastewater to come back up your main drain.
Which is what a backwater valve can help with.
What Happens Inside a Backwater Valve?
A backwater valve will have some kind of flap inside of it.
When water travels from your home to the sewer the flap will open.
And once the water passes through the flap will go back to its original position.
If water were to start traveling towards your home. The water would close the flap off and help keep the sewer from coming any further into your drainage system.
Not too bad right. But what if that water came back into your home.
You could have several inches of sewer backed up in your basement. Which would damage all of your flooring, walls, furniture, etc.
And you would have to clean all of that mess up.
Sewage is not like regular water. Some contaminated materials, particularly porous materials, may need to be thrown out.
Do All Homes in Vaughan Require a Backwater Valve?
No.
It all depends on how your home is set up with its drains and plumbing.
There could already be a backwater valve in your home.
Or there may not be one at all.
You may want to look into getting a backwater valve if your home meets any of the following criteria.
- Home has a finished basement
- Plumbing fixtures are located under ground level
- You have had a sewer backup
- Other homes around you have had a sewer backup
- You’re doing basement work
- Have an old backwater valve or it may not be working properly
If you don’t know if your home has one you can have a plumber come out and see what you have.
What To Expect When Having a Backwater Valve Installed
As stated above you cannot just hook up a valve to a drain line and call it a day.
There are several things that need to be taken into consideration when installing a backwater valve.
You will need to know where your main sewer line is located and the condition of your line.
Having a sewer camera inspection in Vaughan may also be beneficial when having a backwater valve installed. As you can see below we use a small plumbing camera that we feed down the drain to find your sewer line. This can also allow us to find any issues that may exist. Such as a broken line, tree roots or large clogs.
After finding your drain line you will most likely need to cut into your basement floor to gain access.
Which usually means cutting concrete.
Your drain line will be located and cut to allow for a backwater valve to be installed in the proper direction. After that you can fill in around the valve and leave an opening for access.
You should always have access to your backwater valve.
Do not have it covered by concrete or flooring.
Is There a Backwater Valve Subsidy in Vaughan?
If you’re considering a backwater valve installation in Vaughan there may also be some help available with the cost.
The City of Vaughan currently has a Back-water Valve Installation Subsidy Program. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $750 toward an approved backwater valve installation, including eligible labour, materials, permit fees and taxes.
There are eligibility requirements and the work has to meet the City’s program requirements. The valve must be installed by a certified plumber, and funding is subject to availability on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you’re planning to have a valve installed it’s worth checking the City’s current requirements before starting the work.
Can I Use My Plumbing If the Valve Closes?
Something many people are unaware of.
If your backwater valve closes because sewage is flowing into your home it will block your home’s waste from leaving the house as well.
So no you should not use your water if your backwater valve closes.
Using your toilets, dishwasher, shower or washing machine will cause more water to enter your home and have nowhere to go.
Normally the valve will stay open when using your plumbing.
A Backwater Valve Will Not Protect Your Home From All Types of Flooding
Having a backwater valve can help with your basement’s flooding issues but it will not keep your basement 100% dry.
A backwater valve is made to help prevent sewage from coming up through your drains.
It will not protect you from water seeping through your foundations.
It will not stop water from coming up under your basement.
It will not fix your sewer line if it’s broken.
It will not protect you from your sump pump failing during a heavy rain.
There are many things you need to consider when trying to prevent your basement from flooding.
You may want to ensure that your yard slopes away from your home, have working eavestroughs and downspouts, have a good sump pump and maintain your sewer line and install a backwater valve.
These are all factors that can play into your basement flooding.
Backwater Valve vs. Backflow Preventer
What Is the Difference?
Many people will ask what the difference is between these two devices.
While there are similarities they are not the same thing.
A backwater valve will typically be placed on your drain or sewer line. It will help prevent any sewage from backing up into your home.
A backflow preventer is designed to help keep contaminated water from entering your home through your drinking water source.
These both help stop water from traveling the opposite direction but each does this for a different reason.
Most people who are concerned about sewage coming up through their basement floor drain or toilets will want to know more about a backwater valve.
Don’t Forget to Service Your Backwater Valve
Once you install your valve don’t expect it to work for the next 20 years without servicing it.
Make sure your flap can open and close freely.
Any dirt or gunk that builds up on your flap can cause issues with it opening and closing properly. Your valve may not perform as desired if there is anything holding it open.
Your valve will have an access cover that you can use to inspect and clean your valve.
How often the valve needs to be inspected or cleaned will depend on the valve and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Also try to not flush things down your toilet or drain that are not supposed to go down there.
Wipes, paper towels, feminine products, grease, etc. All of these can cause your lines to become clogged. Even if the product says it is flushable.
What If You Have an Existing Issue With Your Main Sewer Line?
If your sewer line is broken or heavily clogged a backwater valve is not the answer.
You should look into why you may be experiencing issues with your drains. Backups, slow draining or gurgling can all be symptoms of a problem with your sewer line.
Your sewer line could be clogged.
You could have tree roots growing into your line or if your lines are old they may have shifted or cracked.
A sewer camera can help identify what’s going on with your line and help determine what the best option for your situation is.
If you have a current sewer line issue installing a valve will not solve that problem.
Do I Need a Backwater Valve in My Basement?
If you have a finished basement this may be something you want to consider.
Flooring, drywall, furniture, appliances and anything else you may have stored in your basement.
One small backup of sewage can ruin multiple things in your basement.
Cleaning up after a sewer backup and repairing your basement can be very time consuming as well.
A backwater valve will not ensure that your basement will not flood but it can help prevent sewage from backing up into your home through your drain lines.
If you have ever experienced a sewer backup you know how bad it can be and probably don’t want to experience it again.
Don’t wait until your sewer backs up to install a backwater valve.
Once a sewer backup has already happened, installing a backwater valve can’t undo the damage that’s already occurred.
By taking precautions and learning more about preventative plumbing you can make sure your home is protected.
If you have a finished basement and want to know if backwater valve installation in Vaughan is right for your home we can inspect your lines and let you know if you currently have a valve installed.
Sureflow Plumbing & Drain can help you decide what’s best for your situation.
It’s always better to install a backwater valve before it rains than to realize you wish you had one after your sewer backs up into your basement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backwater Valves
What Is a Backwater Valve?
It stops sewage from backing up through your main drain line and coming into your home. Usually your waste will travel out towards the city sewers. If the flow starts to travel back towards your house the backwater valve will shut.
Do I Need a Backwater Valve?
Not all homes will require a backwater valve but if you have a finished basement or plumbing below grade it’s something you may want to look into. You could also consider installing one if you’ve had a sewer backup or want to help prevent basement flooding. A plumber will be able to check your drain and see if you currently have one.
Where Would a Backwater Valve Be Installed?
On the main drain/sewer line. It will usually be located in the basement and the plumber may have to cut a small piece of concrete out of the floor to install it. Once installed it should be kept accessible to inspect when necessary.
Will This Stop My Basement From Flooding?
No it can only stop water from traveling through the drainage system and into your home. There are many reasons that a basement can flood. Cracks in foundations, hydrostatic pressure, etc.
How Do I Know If I Have One?
You should have a cover or some sort of access point near your main drain line. Not all houses have them visible; some may be difficult to find. A plumber can inspect your drain to see if one is already installed.
Does a Backwater Valve Require Maintenance?
The flap or gate needs to move freely and operate properly when needed. Debris or other buildup can interfere with the valve, so it should be checked periodically to make sure it’s working correctly.
Can I Continue to Use My Plumbing If the Valve Is Closed?
It’s best to refrain from using any plumbing if the valve closes. When it closes it means your main drain may also be backed up. Any water you send down your pipes could back up into your home. Refrain from flushing toilets, taking showers or running anything that may put more water down the drain line.