Many Etobicoke and Mississauga homeowners are looking for ways to expand the amount of living space in their homes by renovating their basements and creating living rooms, game rooms and even additional bedrooms. No matter what you want to use your basement space for, you’ll want to make sure that nothing ruins your hard work. A backwater valve is a device installed that you might have heard of, but you may not know what it does or why it’s important.
Here’s everything you need to know about a backwater valve, and why it’s essential to make sure that your home has one.
What, exactly, is a backwater valve?
Also called a backflow preventer, a backwater valve is a device that prevents stormwater or sewage from backing up and flowing into the basement of your home. If this kind of water overflows into the basement of your home, it can cause a lot of damage and ruin the furniture and décor of your basement.
What does a backwater valve look like?
A typical backwater valve is commonly found in any home improvement store and is usually made out of 4” ABS plastic pipe, with openings on both ends. These openings ensure water flows in, and waste is let out appropriately.
Why does my Etobicoke or Mississauga home need one?
For the safety and protection of your home, you need to make sure you have a working backwater valve. All of the sinks, toilets, showers and so on in your home drain into one main line known as the sewer lateral. If water starts to back up, the lateral is designed to close so that you don’t get any sewage in your home. Once the pressure of the water returns to normal, and the water is flowing appropriately, the valve will open back up and allow water to flow out.
Do I need to clean a backwater valve regularly?
If you know how to clean the valve yourself, you should check it at least once annually to make sure it’s clear and not clogged. Regular maintenance will help ensure that you don’t have any problems with the valve when it’s needed the most. If you don’t feel comfortable performing the maintenance yourself, you can call in a plumbing professional to check the valve and make sure it’s working correctly.
If your home is at risk for flooding, installing a backwater valve can significantly reduce the chance of experiencing a flood and experiencing damage due to sewage entering your home.
Many regions around the GTA offer subsidy programs for homeowners to make sure they are able to install the valve as they need to.
Backwater Valve Installation in Etobicoke.
Having a properly functioning backwater valve is extremely important to ensure that both your home and your family are protected from harmful sewage. If you require the installation of a backwater valve in your Etobicoke or Mississauga home – or if you need maintenance on an already existing valve – contact D. Jason Plumbing today.