Backwater Valves

Sewage backflow may occur in several circumstances:

• Heavy rainfall event (more commonly in flood-prone areas)

• Sewer blockage in sewer system or internal plumbing

• Sewer pipe breaks causing a pressure difference

• Unmaintained backwater device 

Maintenance of your backwater valve is very important to ensure it is properly functioning and will not cause an issue within your internal sanitary plumbing.​

• Regular cleaning and maintenance should be conducted to best ensure proper operation.

• Maintenance is dependent on the type of backwater valve. Manufacturers' recommendations should be followed for the type and frequency of maintenance.

• An unmaintained backwater valve can cause a sewer back-up within your home.

To prevent a blockage in the sewer system and the backwater valve, ensure only toilet paper and human waste are flushed down the toilet. Items that should not be disposed of down any drain include hygiene products, food scraps and any fat, oil or grease (FOGs).

Visit www.idontflush.ca​ for more information on what can happen when FOGs enter your sewer system.

If the backwater valve is not maintained properly it could lead to:

• Unpleasant odours from the drain

• Flooding in basements

• Decreased drainage rate

• Damages to the backwater valve itself

• Obstructions that prevent the valve from properly functioning

Unfortunately, backwater valves do not guarantee that a sewage backup will not occur. To maximize the valve's effectiveness, it is important to:

• Ensure the device is properly installed in an appropriate location, orientation, position and slope.​

• When functioning properly, if a backflow condition is occurring in the sewer system, the valve will close to prevent sewage from entering or leaving the home.

The owner of the property or the property manager is responsible for maintaining the backwater valve.

All the internal plumbing of a home, including a backwater valve, is privately owned by the home owner.