Backwater Valves: Your Defense Against Sewer Backups

If your basement has ever backed up during a heavy storm — or you worry it might — a backwater valve is the single best protection you can install.

How It Works

A backwater valve is installed in your sewer lateral. Under normal flow, a flap stays open and waste leaves your home freely. If the municipal sewer surcharges and tries to push water backward, the flap swings shut and seals the line, keeping sewage out of your basement.

Who Needs One Most

• Homes with a finished or frequently used basement
• Properties that sit low relative to the street
• Any home that has backed up during heavy rain before
• Areas on combined storm-and-sewer systems

A One-Time Install, Long-Term Peace of Mind

Installing a backwater valve is a straightforward job compared to cleaning up after a flood. For homes at risk, it pays for itself the first time a big storm rolls through.