Affordable Backwater Valve Installation Toronto by Licensed Plumbers

Timely and Affordable Backwater Valve Installation in Toronto, and the GTA

At New Canadian Drain and Plumbing, we’re here to help homeowners stave off the problem of basement flooding. There are many ways by which we accomplish this but perhaps the best known and most popular is through backwater valve installation. Backwater valves help prevent sewer backflow into your basement and are an essential ingredient in any comprehensive flood mitigation program for most residences. Contact us today for backwater valve installation services at (416) 651-2990

Protect Your Home Against Floods With Backwater Valve Installation

Backflow from sewers has long been a problem in the City of Toronto. It seems that after nearly every heavy rain event the municipal sewers become overwhelmed and homeowners all over town wind up with dirty water in their basements. Thankfully there’s a pretty easy answer to this problem and it’s called a backwater valve. On July 8, 2013, the Toronto area experienced one of the worst floods in its history, receiving 12.6 centimetres of rain in just two hours, which amounts to the total the area normally receives in the whole of July. The damage this storm created is almost incomprehensible, with trees being ripped clean up, transport services grinding to a standstill and thousands of residences in the GTA experiencing flood damage. The estimated cost of this damage is thought to be somewhere in the region of $850 million. In light of this, many homeowners are seeking ways in which they can protect their properties against any future floods and avoid costly repairs and insurance claims. One of the best ways to do this is to have a backwater valve installed at your property.

What you need to know about Backwater Valve:

What is Backflow?

First things first, it’s important to be aware of what backflow actually is and how it can potentially affect your home. Backflow is when water flows through a water system in the opposite direction to what it’s supposed to. This is something that can occur in a number of different water systems, but a backwater valve is designed to specifically deal with sewer backflow. Sewer backflow is a problem that is particularly prevalent throughout Toronto and the GTA and is most commonly caused by large amounts of rainfall received in short periods of time. This rainwater is quickly directed into sewer drains, overwhelming the whole system very quickly. Public sewage systems simply don’t have the capacity to deal with all this extra water, which is forced to backup and flow through residential sewer drains instead, flooding your basement and potentially causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

What is a Backwater Valve?

A backwater valve is a special type of valve that can be installed at your property to prevent backflow from the sewer entering your home plumbing system. In the past, it was a hassle for homeowners to protect their properties from sewer backflow since it was necessary to have one of these valves installed in each area of the property that contained a sewage line (bathroom, kitchen, utility room). However, thanks to a plumbing specialist from Edmonton, it’s now possible to have a single valve installed on a property’s main sewer line that will protect the entire household against sewer backflow. Under normal conditions this valve will remain open to let waste flow freely from your home into the public sewage system, but if water from the sewage system starts to back up, the valve will be lifted up by flap floats and sealed against a gasket, ensuring no sewage waste can flow back into your home. The valve automatically re-sets its position again once backflow has subsided.

A professionally installed backwater valve not only prevents flooding in your home, but also protects you against unsanitary conditions that can affect your health. New Canadian Drain & Plumbing have years of experience in the industry and are able to install backwater valves both inside and outside your home. Call us today for a free estimate.

How Does it Work?

A backwater valve is actually quite a simple concept, although it does require the expertise of a licensed plumber to install. In a nutshell the backwater valve is just that: a valve that prevents water from backing into your home from the Toronto sewer system. It’s a one-way valve that lets water out and prevents water coming back in.

While the cost of backwater valve installation in Toronto will vary depending on location, particulars of your home and the contractor you choose it’s safe to say it’s not going to be cheap. Thankfully the City has instituted a rebate plan whereby homeowners are eligible for up to $3,200 in assistance to help cover the cost of installing a backwater valve (and we’ll get into the program in another post).

Does Your Home Need a Backwater Valve?

One simple question can help determine if your home could benefit from the installation of a backwater valve and this is it: “Does sewer water backup into your basement when it rains hard?” If it does then you probably need a backwater valve. (If you find you have groundwater in your basement following heavy rains or snow melt you may need to install a sump pump instead.)

If you’re still not sure whether or not you would benefit from a backwater valve think about this: if your home is on a downward slope and the local sewer line follows that slope you may need a backwater valve if the upslope portion of the sewer is at a higher elevation than your home. Under such conditions, the backwater valve installation for Toronto homes will be the difference between a smelly, wet basement and one that is clean and dry.

How Can I Claim the City Backwater Valve Rebate?

Because New Canadian Drain & Plumbing meets the City’s licensing requirements we’re able to perform backwater valve installation in Toronto homes and help those homeowners apply for their backwater valve rebate. There’s no need for you to try and navigate the City’s labyrinthian application process when we can take care of it for you. Call New Canadian Drain today to find out more.