Back Water Valves

CSA APPROVED BACKWATER VALVE

What is a backwater valve?

A backwater valve is a device that stops water in the drains outside of the house from being able to come back into the house.

Why do we need backwater valves?

If the drains outside of the home become so full of waste, the waste water starts to back up into any empty pipe it can find, most usually our homes main sewage line. Without the backwater valve, the sewage will rise up into your basement.

What Limitations Do They Have?

Although backwater valves are very good at keeping waste water out of your home,they cannot stop waste water by being added by the home owners, i.e if the backwater valve has been floated due to high sewage levels outside the home, any waste that is flushed in the home will cause a back up within the homes waste pipes as there is nowhere for it to go.

If I Have One Installed Will I Never See Sewage On My Floor Again?

A backwater valve is only designed to protect against external sewage issues and not internal (home) drain problems.

Will installing one on the main sewage line protect my home from back ups caused by heavy rain?

In the pre-1960′s homes, many sewer lines are still tied into storm drain lines; if your home is in these areas the backwater valve will protect your home, but newer neighbourhoods have separate storm and sewage lines, so you may need to install a device on the storm water line.