Following periods of heavy rainfall, it is common for municipal sewer lines to dramatically overflow with sewage and contaminated water into your basement and home. Luckily, homeowners are able to be proactive by working with a professional plumbing company like Dunn Heating in Kitchener-Waterloo to have a backwater valve installed to ensure their homes remain protected from water damage and other contamination that can severely impact their health.
The professional plumbing team at Dunn Heating has over 50 years of collective experience partnering with homeowners throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo community and beyond to assist homeowners in protecting and repairing their homes regardless of the size or scope of the project at hand. Our licensed plumbers are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills required to provide you with high-quality solutions tailored to your unique needs and expectations. At Dunn Heating, we put the needs of our customers at the forefront of what we do, which is why you can rest assured knowing that our team will go above and beyond to ensure your experience with us is flawless.
Dunn Heating is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to this, we do not charge homeowners an additional service fee if they require our assistance after regular business hours, on weekends, or during holidays.
Are you ready to work with the team at Dunn Heating in Kitchener-Waterloo to protect your home against water and sewage? If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the professional and friendly team to book your backwater valve appointment with us or use our online scheduling system! We look forward to working with you!
Is a backwater valve required in Ontario?
Yes, according to Section 7.4.6.4 (3) of the Ontario Building Code, “where a building drain or branch may be subject to backflow, a backwater valve shall be installed on every fixture drain connected to them when the fixture is located below the level of the adjoining street.” Therefore, it is legally required for all new homes to be constructed after February 1, 2013, including older homes built before 2013. As such, if you live in a home or residential building that was built on or after 2013, you can rest assured knowing that these protective valves have already been installed. However, if you live in a home that is older, it is likely that no backwater valves have been installed.
Therefore, to ensure your home is protected from water damage and other contaminated water, we suggest homeowners in the Kitchener-Waterloo area reach out to the professional plumbing team at Dunn Heating for assistance with installing a backwater valve in their homes.
Dunn Heating is available around the clock, 365 days a year. Furthermore, we do not charge property owners an extra service fee if they need our help after business hours, on weekends, or during holidays. Please get in touch with our friendly and helpful team to schedule your backwater valve appointment, or use our digital scheduling system! We are excited to collaborate with you!
Is a backflow valve the same as a backwater valve?
The flow of water among homes and public water supplies must always be cautiously regulated and monitored for an assortment of reasons, the most important of which is the quality of the water entering residences along with sewage water flooding basement suites should public waterlines be backed up after periods of heavy rainfall. This is precisely why backflow valves and backwater valves have been invented. However, what a lot of homeowners do not know is that while it may appear these two devices are the same, they are actually different. To ensure that you understand the differences between these two plumbing devices, read about each one in more detail below:
Backwater Valve
A backwater valve functions similarly to a doorway. When the water flows properly, it presses the small door open, allowing the water to move freely. Whenever the water begins to flow in the opposite direction, it presses against the other side of the entrance, causing it to shut. As an outcome, any backflow water from your sewage line that tries to enter your household is prevented before it can cause any harm to your home.
Backflow Valve
A backflow valve, also known as a backflow prevention valve, is responsible for preventing dirty, contaminated water from entering clean public water supplies.
So, which do you install in your home? While the legislative requirements will vary between municipalities, backwater valves are recommended as it provides an additional form of protection from flooding and other water-related damage throughout your home. As such, if your home does not currently have a backwater valve in place, the professional and licensed plumbing team at Dunn Heating is on standby to help guide you through the installation process.
Dunn Heating is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Further to that, if homeowners require our assistance after business hours, on weekends, or on holidays, we do not charge an additional service fee. To schedule your backwater valve appointment, please feel free to contact our welcoming and accommodating team or use our virtual booking system! We are very excited to work with you!
How often do the backflow valves need to be replaced?
The frequency at which backflow valves need to be replaced can vary depending on several factors, including the type of valve, the material it is made of, the environment in which it is installed, and the amount of use it receives. In general, backflow valves should be inspected and tested annually to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If a valve is damaged or not working properly, it may need to be replaced.
It is important to note that the replacement of backflow valves is often regulated by local building codes and ordinances and may require the services of a licensed professional plumber. If you have questions about replacing a backflow valve on your property, it is recommended that you consult with a licensed plumbing team, such as the ones employed by Dunn Heating, for more information and guidance.
At the same time, it is imperative that homeowners recognize the signs that their home’s backwater valve needs to be replaced. Here are some warning signs to look out for around your home that could indicate it is time to reach out to the team at Dunn Heating:
Do any of these signs look familiar? If the answer is yes, it may be time for your home’s backwater valve to be replaced. To book your replacement appointment with the professional and licensed plumbing team at Dunn Heating in Kitchener-Waterloo, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly or use our online scheduling system!
Where should a backwater valve be installed?
A backwater valve must be implanted beneath the basement floor of your home, near where the primary sanitary sewer exits your home. Depending on the location of the city sewer lines, it may be in your front or back lawn.
To access the main sewer and drain, an entry pit in your basement floor is frequently required during insertion. To install the valve, soil and dirt will have to be extracted out of the access pit. After installation, the hole can be packed in and restored while leaving direct exposure to the backwater valve itself. The location of your backwater valve is essential to ensure no water or sewage enters your home after heavy rainfall periods. This is why it is crucial that homeowners partner with a professional and experienced plumbing company they know they can trust to get the job done correctly.
At Dunn Heating, we have over 50 years of experience working with homeowners and have worked on thousands of homes across Ontario to ensure they are protected from water damage. Dunn Heating is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we do not charge an additional fee for our services after hours, one weekend, or during holidays. Therefore, whenever you need us, our plumbers will be there.
Call and speak to one of our team members directly or book your appointment online with us today!
A backwater valve is a retrofitted device that’s installed on the main drain at the front of your home underground.
After a heavy rainfall, sewer lines can overflow causing water and sewage to flow back towards your home.
By being proactive and having a backwater valve installed, you can ensure your home is properly equipped and protected from sewage and other dirty, unwanted waste water backing up into your nice, clean home.
“After a weekend away we arrived home Sunday night with no AC. I called Dunn first thing Monday morning and had a technician here within the hour! He explained that the unit could either be repaired or replaced and gave us a quote. We decided to replace the unit and that same morning they had a crew here installing it! The installers were friendly, neat, professional and skilled.
Very happy with Dunn and would recommend.“
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