Backwater Valves
- Thread starter Darts
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Its called a back flow preventer and I believe it is mandatory to have one on you water supply in the city of Toronto. I would call 311 and they will direct you to the right department. pm me if you need a plumber that does this work
I have a friend who is a plumber and he recommended that I do not instal it. The reason for this is that if there was ever a sewage back flow that caused the valve to close you would not know that the valve closed. In the meantime, you continue using water in your house, flushing the toilet etc. Then, this water will accumulate in your pipes and you run the risk that it might leak somewhere into your house.
i was one of the houses in Etobicoke that got flooded back in 2015. Actually it would not have prevented the flood as both the sewer and the catch basin system were both overwhelmed during that flood system. When i rebuilt the basement i specifically asked the insurance company if they were going to make it mandatory to have a back flow preventer and they told me no
my 2 cents
my 2 cents
To install properly you have to isolate the basement drainage from the other floors and put the preventer on the basement drains only - this jacks up the cost (from a 2000 to 3000 job to a 5000 to 8000) but avoids the problem of dumping your own waste water into your basement. The city rebates about $1200 if the job is done by an approved plumbing contractor.
I got a flyer in my mailbox a few weeks ago warning me of the risk of a flooded basement due to climate change (more storms?) and an aging overloaded municipal sewage system. Is this risk real or simply fearmongering so the private company that produced the flyer can generate more business?
Yes, I've seen news videos showing flooded basements (as well as underpasses with submerged cars).
Question: If I install a preventer, will the stuff end up flooding my neighbor's basement(s) or vice versa?
Yes, I've seen news videos showing flooded basements (as well as underpasses with submerged cars).
Question: If I install a preventer, will the stuff end up flooding my neighbor's basement(s) or vice versa?
Back flow presenters are indeed installed on potable water lines, but usually on the supply to lawn sprinklers or the water supply to hydronic heat systems or bidets with the water outlet in the bowl of the bidet. The reason is that if the water ever gets turned off, in some circumstances, you can end up with a siphon effect where dirty water is drawn into the potable system and contaminates the potable water.
The OP is referring to sanitary drains. It's called a backwater valve.
Doubtful. If the backwater valve closes, you'll know it pretty quickly. Besides, I'd rather deal with a pail of my own turd water than 2 feet of turd water in the entire basement.
The system you described, one system for the basement sanitary and one for everything else (main, second, third floors) would be ideal. There would never be enough pressure head for the water to start coming out of the main floor Plumbing fixtures.
When I had my sewer backup due to crushed clay pipes some years ago I talked to the city of Oakville and they don't recommend them due to this ^^^. We replaced the pipe and put 2 cleanouts in. One for the house and the other for the city.
I've never heard of them being "not recommended" . But who knows.
This much I can tell you for sure.....
These things are not "set it and forget it"
They require maintenance every six months.
Essentially, they have a clear polycarbonate lid with a clean out door. You need to open them up and clean and inspect them. They get clogged up with hair and thread and assorted debris that will prevent them from operating properly.
This much I can tell you for sure.....
These things are not "set it and forget it"
They require maintenance every six months.
Essentially, they have a clear polycarbonate lid with a clean out door. You need to open them up and clean and inspect them. They get clogged up with hair and thread and assorted debris that will prevent them from operating properly.
