Backwater Valve Installation in North York, ON

One minute it’s sunny, and the next, there’s a torrential downpour. The weather in Ontario can be moody year-round, and all of that unexpected excess water means city drains often reach capacity. The problem? Full municipal water systems can cause sewage backup into your home. But not for homes that already have sought a North York backwater valve installation.

There’s a good chance you’re interested in learning more about the installation because you recently fell victim to a sewage backup. Local homeowners who go through this disaster are forever changed and often take any means necessary to prevent their homes and belongings from being ruined with raw sewage and black water again. Thankfully, preventing it is as easy as calling your North York plumber, who has the right expertise to handle the job efficiently.

Professionally installing your backwater valve and providing regular maintenance throughout the year, you can rely on Mr. Rooter Plumbing of North York for top-tier service, no matter if we’re performing seasonal drain cleaning, solving your clogged drains, or taking on trenchless sewer repair. Give our valued team a call today to get started.

About Our Backwater Valve Installation Service in North York, ON

GTA homeowners know the frustration and panic when sewage backs up into their homes. From destroying their belongings to being downright disgusting, it's something many of us don't even think we'll have to deal with…that is until it happens to us. If you don't have a backwater valve in your home, now is the right time to consider and act on installation. From avoiding mess to preventing mold, the list of benefits that come with this one simple service goes on and on.

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of North York, we'll inspect your plumbing line before making sure you find the right backwater valve for your home and install it. We'll take care of all the needed permits and handle all retrofitting needs. We're the plumbing company locals can seek for Toronto, Newmarket, Whitby, and North York backwater valve installation. After a no-obligation inspection, we'll walk you through your valve options. These include:

Check Valve: The most common type of valve. It features a flap and ball that automatically stops water and sewage from re-entering your home. This option should be inspected regularly as the simple mechanism can face issues such as blockages.
Gate Valve: This type of valve uses a flapper you can close and open manually. It’s pricier than a check valve, but with manual controls, you’ll be able to ensure it’s closed when it needs to be.
Combination Valve: Can’t decide? Choose a combination valve that gives you the best of both worlds.

In addition to our retrofitting services, we offer installation services for homes with existing valves. If you already have a backwater valve and suspect it might be malfunctioning, be on the lookout for these common signs and call us for a replacement right away:

Water Leaks

With years of use, backwater valves can leak. Debris and temperature changes can start to wear away the device, which means that it could break if there is substantial pressure from water through it.

Slow Draining

You'll notice slow draining in your sinks, tubs, and even toilets. If your backwater valve is damaged, you'll notice dirty water coming from your taps and into your porcelain throne. This is a sign that your valve may be about to break, and it's a good idea to call a professional plumber right away.

Uneven Pressure

Backwater valves have flaps with opening points. Because of this, the mechanism may not evenly distribute pressure through the system. When uneven pressure is applied, sewer or water backup can occur, which contaminates your clean water.

Why Choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing For a Backwater Valve Installation in North York?

You don't want to leave backwater valve installation to an inexperienced plumber. If retrofitting your valve, drilling, jackhammering, and cutting will be required, those four things can go horribly wrong for your average Jack of all trades if he doesn't know what he's doing. For many years, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has been North York's top choice for expert plumbing services in the GTA. Our reputation of excellent service, high-quality materials, and timely installation precedes us, and our customers love us for the invaluable expertise we bring to every job.

On top of that, we offer no-obligation inspections and upfront pricing. What you see is what you get when you choose us, and our stand-out service is easy to spot in the work we do and the respect we bring into every home. Call our customer service team to see the difference our dedication to the industry makes. They're ready to answer any questions you have about the installation and can schedule a convenient appointment time when you're ready.

FAQs About North York Backwater Valve Installation

What is a Backwater Valve?

A backwater valve is a one-way valve you install on your sanitary sewer line. Often called a sewer backup valve, it’s designed to stop water and sewage from re-entering your home in the case of a clog or heavy rain. Many homes in and around North York have this particular type of device installed during construction, but it isn’t uncommon to see older homes without them. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of North York offers retrofitting services for backwater valve installation, along with those during the building process. Greater Toronto municipalities recommend installing these valves (along with a quality sump pump) to help prevent future emergencies during heavy rainfall, but they are not required by law in the building process.

How Does a Backwater Valve Work?

Let's take a minute to talk about your home's sewage system. Designed to carry waste water away from your house, these pipes rely on gravity from the angle of the slope to flush sewage out of your home and into a basin.

But here's the thing: nothing is stopping that sewage from coming back if the pipe is clogged—and clogs happen more than not for North York homeowners due to homeowners putting things they shouldn't down the toilet and sink or when deposits from hard water build up in the pipes. Homes with trees in their yard can also cause clogs in a sewer lateral, and when a root completely obstructs the patch, wastewater has nowhere to go but back to where it came from. Backwater valves ensure this doesn't happen. How? A special combination of flaps and devices inside the valve. We'll break it down for you below.

There is an open flap inside the valve that lets water exit your house while venting sewer gases
On each side of the flap, there is a flotation device
If water/sewage flows back towards your house, the flotation devices help the flap to lift up and close, thus preventing it from getting back into your home
As soon as the water stops flowing back to the house, gravity will cause the flap to open again, letting the sewage pass through to your septic system

Retrofitting a backwater valve is quite a complex process. That doesn't mean it's not worth doing. Installing a valve can prevent future emergencies, such as sewage from entering your basement floors and bathrooms.

Do I Need a Plumbing Permit To Install a Backwater Valve in North York?

While a permit from the Canadian government is not required for backwater valve installation in North York homes with one or two units, you will need to obtain one if you have a multi-unit or non-residential building. If you're a business owner or have more than two units in your dwelling and dislike the permit application process, there's good news: Mr. Rooter Plumbing will take care of all the paperwork. You'll never have to download, fill out, or submit a single form—we do it all! And what's more, we'll keep you up to date on the status of your project. Getting a backwater valve permit doesn't take long, but it's just one more thing you can leave off your to-do list.

Is North York Backwater Valve Installation Expensive?

A backwater valve installation can be a challenging task. If your home or business doesn't have one, we'll need to find where the municipal sewer line enters your building in order to install it. This could involve drilling and cutting the pipe to install a brand-new unit, but it depends on your unique case. The more labor that is required in the job, the more it will cost, which is why we suggest calling our valued team to set up a no-obligation inspection with a licensed plumber. After surveying your property, we'll let you know exactly what needs to be done and can provide an accurate estimate on the spot. If you choose us for the job, we'll come back at a convenient time and date for your service.

Need Backwater Valve Installation in the GTA? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of North York Today.

A backwater valve installation is one of the smartest plumbing decisions you can make for your home. Preventing disasters like basement flooding, sewer backup, and the damage they bring with them, these virtually maintenance-free devices can save you from spending big money in the future to clean up and repair your home, not to mention replace all the valuable raw sewage and sewer water ruined in the process.

But while backwater valves were designed to require little maintenance, it’s still a good idea to schedule an annual checkup and drain cleaning service. It's possible they'll experience clogs over time, so after your installation, ask us about our valve maintenance services. We provide a thorough inspection to ensure you never run into trouble. Are you considering a North York backwater installation? If so, call our knowledgeable team to learn more or book a plumbing service today.