What Are Backwater Valves?
A backwater valve is a one way flow control valve installed in a drainage system, that under normal conditions allows the waste water to drain out of the system, however if a reversed flow of drainage water should occur, the valve will be forced closed and protect the interior of the building from sewage backup. Every year thousands of homes are flooded with raw sewage and storm water, causing millions in damages that could have been avoided with properly installed backwater valves.
When Are Backwater Valves Required?
Backwater valves are required to protect fixtures and drainage openings that are installed below grade; such as in a basement, where the possibility exists for the municipal sewage or storm water systems to become overloaded and force waste water back through your sewage drains. Backwater valves are also required on any subsoil drainage pipe that connects into the sanitary drain, to also protect it from sewage backups.
The most common backwater points of entry into your home may be through basement floor drains, water closets/toilets, sinks, laundry standpipes and sump pits.
Installing Backwater Valves
Backwater valves come in two main types; normally open or normally closed and they are installed in specific locations according to their type. Both types of backwater valves are required to be accessible however, so that they can be inspected and the drains they serve can be cleaned.
Normally closed backwater valves are installed and operated with a simple swinging disk or plate that opens only in the direction of flow. These types of backwater valves are installed on a branch that serves a group of fixtures; such as a basement bathroom group, or on an individual fixture drain; such as a floor drain. A normally closed backwater valve is not permitted to be installed on a building drain as it would prevent the free circulation of air within the drainage and venting system.
Normally open backwater valves are the most commonly used back water valves, designed to be installed on the main building drain to protect the entire drainage system. These valves have a floating gate that will rise under a backflow condition with the water level. Watch an animation here
One of the more popular types of normally open backwater valve is the “Mainline” which has a clear cover and also incorporates a clean-out fitting below the valve. These valves require an annual inspection to ensure they will operate properly and that nothing is blocking the gate.
Floor Drain Backwater Valves
If the only fixture in a building that may be subject to backflow is a floor drain, there are easily installed backwater valves designed to protect them called “flood checks”. They are installed directly in the vertical pipe of a floor drain by means of a compressed rubber disk. If backflow occurs an upside down rubber cup will be forced up and seal the floor drain.
