Basement Flooding Subsidy program
The Key to a Dry Basement: Installing a Backwater Valve for Sewer Backup Protection
A backwater valve or backflow preventer is a great way to protect your property from sewage backup.
Introduction:
Are you sick and tired of your basement being wet and flooded all the time? Then you have come to the right place because, in this piece of writing, we will look into the ways that can protect your basement and keep it safe in the future too. On the other hand, if you want a foolproof solution, then you should consider installing a backwater valve. It is a highly effective device in terms of defense against sewer backups, protecting your basement from costly damage and potential health hazards. Moving on, in this article, we will also look into the installation steps so you can install and backwater value yourself too.
What is a Backwater Valve?
Some people also call it the backflow preventer. It is a mechanical device designed to prevent wastewater from flowing back into your home during a sewer backup event. This device is installed inside the main sewer line. People can have the option of installing it inside your property, or outside. Backwater valve installation is easy and does not take up a lot of money to install. But how does it work? Once it detects the reverse flow of water, it will automatically close off the sewer line. As a result, it prevents the sewage from going into your basement and hence prevents flooding of the basement. So, we can say the issue of basement sewage backup is solved via it.
How does the backwater valve work?
The backwater valve is installed on the main sewer line of your home. It consists of flaps or a gate that allows it to manage the flow of sewage. In addition to this, it also has the capability of being uni-directional, meaning that water can flow through in one direction. It is designed in a specific way to promote the smooth flow of sewage away from your property under normal conditions, ensuring it is safely channeled towards the municipal sewer system. If the sewage is to go in the direction of the main sewage line, the flaps or gates will open, however, if the sewage or waste due to any reason backs up, the flaps will close automatically. This unique function of the backwater valve prevents sewage from backing up into your home or building.
Why is the backwater valve important for your basement?
The following are some important reasons why there is a need for a backwater valve in your basement:
Preventing Basement Flood:
The primary reason for installing the backwater valve is to prevent sewage from entering your basement during a sewer backup. It has the option of automatically closing off the sewer line, and it acts as a reliable barrier, safeguarding your basement from potential flooding and water damage.
Saves Cost for You:
Once your basement floods, it can cause a lot of damage to it. The basement in your home is made up of mostly concrete and wood. When water enters the basement, it causes a lot of damage to the concrete walls as well as other things. Once you start clearing up the mess and then moving on to the renovations, it is going to add up and cost you a lot of money. So better safe than sorry! It is better to install the backwater valve before you can come across such an unfortunate incident in your basement.
Health and Safety:
Sewage backups in your basement are damaging to the building as well as the people living in that building. It consists of harmful bacteria and other contaminants that can be a severe risk to any human inside that home. If you install the backwater valve, you will minimize the risk of sewage entrance into your home.
What are some other ways to keep your basement dry?
A backwater valve is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your basement does not flood and is dry all the time, however, that is not the only way! There are other ways too, which can protect your basement from flooding and keep it always dry.
Proper Grading and Landscaping:
You need to take care of this step when you are constructing your home or building, because it will solve most of your flood related problems. When constructing your home or building, you should make sure that the home slopes away from the foundation. So, what will this do? When it rains or snows, the slope will force the water and snow to move away from the walls of the basement.
Install Gutters and Gutter Guards:
Installing gutters for your roof will also be highly beneficial because when it rains the water collected on the roof might fall just beside the walls of basement. If you install gutters, you can direct the water far away from the basement. Gutter guards can be used to prevent them from being clogged.
Installing a Sump Pump:
The sump pump will help in managing the groundwater and prevent flooding. The sump pump will collect water in a pit and then pump it away from the basement. This way your basement is dry.
Interior Drainage System:
Installing a drainage system inside your home may also help in keeping the basement dry and prevent it from flooding. You can install drainage systems such as the French drain to direct water away from the foundation and into the sump pump. The sump pump will then pump the water away from the basement.
Conclusion:
You should install a backwater valve in your home as it can save you a ton of money and protect your home from severe damage. The basement of your home is the main foundation, and you should protect it at all costs. By effectively preventing the entry of sewage into your home, this simple device provides peace of mind, reduces the risk of costly damage, and safeguards the health and well-being of your family.
If you still have not thought about it, the above data can be enough to convince a sane person to install a backwater valve.
Are you sick and tired of your basement being wet and flooded all the time? Then you have come to the right place because, in this piece of writing, we will look into the ways that can protect your basement and keep it safe in the future too. On the other hand, if you want a foolproof solution, then you should consider installing a backwater valve. It is a highly effective device in terms of defense against sewer backups, protecting your basement from costly damage and potential health hazards. Moving on, in this article, we will also look into the installation steps so you can install and backwater value yourself too.
What is a Backwater Valve?
Some people also call it the backflow preventer. It is a mechanical device designed to prevent wastewater from flowing back into your home during a sewer backup event. This device is installed inside the main sewer line. People can have the option of installing it inside your property, or outside. Backwater valve installation is easy and does not take up a lot of money to install. But how does it work? Once it detects the reverse flow of water, it will automatically close off the sewer line. As a result, it prevents the sewage from going into your basement and hence prevents flooding of the basement. So, we can say the issue of basement sewage backup is solved via it.
How does the backwater valve work?
The backwater valve is installed on the main sewer line of your home. It consists of flaps or a gate that allows it to manage the flow of sewage. In addition to this, it also has the capability of being uni-directional, meaning that water can flow through in one direction. It is designed in a specific way to promote the smooth flow of sewage away from your property under normal conditions, ensuring it is safely channeled towards the municipal sewer system. If the sewage is to go in the direction of the main sewage line, the flaps or gates will open, however, if the sewage or waste due to any reason backs up, the flaps will close automatically. This unique function of the backwater valve prevents sewage from backing up into your home or building.
Why is the backwater valve important for your basement?
The following are some important reasons why there is a need for a backwater valve in your basement:
Preventing Basement Flood:
The primary reason for installing the backwater valve is to prevent sewage from entering your basement during a sewer backup. It has the option of automatically closing off the sewer line, and it acts as a reliable barrier, safeguarding your basement from potential flooding and water damage.
Saves Cost for You:
Once your basement floods, it can cause a lot of damage to it. The basement in your home is made up of mostly concrete and wood. When water enters the basement, it causes a lot of damage to the concrete walls as well as other things. Once you start clearing up the mess and then moving on to the renovations, it is going to add up and cost you a lot of money. So better safe than sorry! It is better to install the backwater valve before you can come across such an unfortunate incident in your basement.
Health and Safety:
Sewage backups in your basement are damaging to the building as well as the people living in that building. It consists of harmful bacteria and other contaminants that can be a severe risk to any human inside that home. If you install the backwater valve, you will minimize the risk of sewage entrance into your home.
What are some other ways to keep your basement dry?
A backwater valve is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your basement does not flood and is dry all the time, however, that is not the only way! There are other ways too, which can protect your basement from flooding and keep it always dry.
Proper Grading and Landscaping:
You need to take care of this step when you are constructing your home or building, because it will solve most of your flood related problems. When constructing your home or building, you should make sure that the home slopes away from the foundation. So, what will this do? When it rains or snows, the slope will force the water and snow to move away from the walls of the basement.
Install Gutters and Gutter Guards:
Installing gutters for your roof will also be highly beneficial because when it rains the water collected on the roof might fall just beside the walls of basement. If you install gutters, you can direct the water far away from the basement. Gutter guards can be used to prevent them from being clogged.
Installing a Sump Pump:
The sump pump will help in managing the groundwater and prevent flooding. The sump pump will collect water in a pit and then pump it away from the basement. This way your basement is dry.
Interior Drainage System:
Installing a drainage system inside your home may also help in keeping the basement dry and prevent it from flooding. You can install drainage systems such as the French drain to direct water away from the foundation and into the sump pump. The sump pump will then pump the water away from the basement.
Conclusion:
You should install a backwater valve in your home as it can save you a ton of money and protect your home from severe damage. The basement of your home is the main foundation, and you should protect it at all costs. By effectively preventing the entry of sewage into your home, this simple device provides peace of mind, reduces the risk of costly damage, and safeguards the health and well-being of your family.
If you still have not thought about it, the above data can be enough to convince a sane person to install a backwater valve.
5/03/2019