Municipalities are not always as vigilant about keeping main sewer lines fully maintained. This is a serious problem for homes and buildings that may be vacant for a single day. Wastewater from main sewer lines flood basements bringing untold damage unless a backwater valve is installed to avoid a backup. In residences, backwater valves detect and prevent these kinds of backups. For homeowners, installing a backwater valve in Toronto to the sewer line or main drain in the basement provides security and reassurance.

Does Your Home Or Building Have A Backwater Valve?
Backwater valves have been used in large industrial facilities for a number of years to control backflow. Ideally, backwater valves should be installed with new home construction. If this is not included, check with the building contractor for information on installation or your preferred plumbing contractor. For existing homes, installation will require the services of a professional plumbing contractor.

A Backwater Valve – A Simple Device for Freedom from Backups
There’s been an increase in flooding in various low lying areas of the country. A simple device like a backwater valve will stop water backups by blocking the flow of sewerage and water before it enters the main interior sewer and drain lines. Today’s backwater valves are constructed from sturdy PVC. There are several models of backwater valves to consider:

• Check Valve
• Flap
• Gate

The simplest mechanical operations of backwater valves are check and flap which have automatic closures that prevent water from flowing inside. A gate valve operates manually. Check and flap models do not require any additional manual assistance as in the case of the gate valve. All three models are provided with tight seals to prevent leakage.

Tips on Backwater Valves
Certain older homes built before the 1970’s have sewer lines that lie below the manhole in the street in front of the home. Many were not equipped with backwater valves. Older homes located in low lying areas inevitably end up with backups due to lack of proper municipal maintenance or to higher rain incidences. To stop water backup, the installation of a backwater valve is recommended by plumbing experts. Check with the local municipality for specific compliance regulations before installing a backwater valve. Many plumbing contractors work with municipalities to maintain local compliance for backwater valve installation. A backwater valve is an insurance no home should be without.