Signs you may need one
- Sewage has risen from your basement drain in past storms
- Neighbours on your street have had backups during storms
- Your basement is finished or has a rental unit
- Your home insurer wants proof of backflow protection
Why it matters in Scarborough
Some Scarborough streets drain into older sewer networks, and short, violent summer storms have overwhelmed them more than once. Toronto has offered homeowners a subsidy toward a permitted backwater valve. The amounts and rules get revised, so look up the program as it stands today.
Normally open: The valve we recommend for most homes stays open so the house drains freely. It closes only when water tries to flow backwards.
The installation
- We locate the main drain where it leaves the house, usually at the front wall.
- A permit is taken out with the City.
- The basement floor is cut and the drain is exposed.
- The valve is installed with an access box so it can be inspected and cleaned.
- After inspection the floor is patched and you are shown how to check the valve.
What affects the cost
Finished floors, the depth of the drain, and the condition of the pipe at the cut all matter. A camera check beforehand is wise.
Plan ahead
Book before storm season. Read looking after a backwater valve and the subsidy guide.