What Is a Backwater Valve and Do I Need One?
A backwater valve is a one-way flap on your main sewer line. It lets water leave the house but closes if the city sewer backs up, so sewage can't come up through the basement floor drain. It's most worth having if your basement is finished or has flooded before.
Request a plumberWhy do sewers back up?
Heavy rain and fast snowmelt can overload sewer pipes. When that happens, water looks for the lowest way out, and that's often the floor drain in a basement.
How does the valve work?
Waste flows out through the valve normally. If water starts flowing backwards, a flap swings shut and seals the line until the flow returns to normal.
Who should have one?
Homes with finished basements, homes in low areas, and anyone who has had a sewer backup before. Barrie's summer thunderstorms can be severe and bring torrential rain.
What does installation involve?
A plumber opens the basement floor at the main drain, installs the valve with an access cover and closes the floor. It needs a permit and must be placed correctly so upstairs fixtures still drain.
How do I look after it?
Open the cover once or twice a year, clear any debris and check the flap moves freely. While the valve is closed during a storm, avoid running water in the house.
Is help with the cost available?
Some Ontario municipalities have offered subsidies for backwater valves. Ask the City of Barrie or your town what is available now. See sump pumps and backwater valves.
Does it replace a sump pump?
No. A sump pump removes groundwater from around the foundation; a backwater valve stops sewage coming in from the street. Many Barrie basements need both, and they protect against different kinds of flooding. Keep the access cover clear of boxes and flooring so it can be opened quickly.
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