The flow from wastewater should only ever go in one direction, out of your home and into the sewer!
Protecting your home from the completely unnecessary issue of sewage backups is as easy as installing a backwater valve. This valves primary purpose is to prevent any wastewater backflow from coming back up your main line in the event that the City sewer line becomes blocked or overloaded. These backups of hazardous wastewater are not only dangerous to your health, they can cause major flooding damage.
At Trouble Shooters, our licensed technicians have extensive backwater valve install and repair experience and have been providing property owners in Toronto with superior service since 1944.
HOW A BACKWATER VALVE PREVENTS FLOODING
Quite simply a mainline backwater valve ONLY allows wastewater to flow in one direction, which is away from your property.
The design includes a flap or gate that automatically closes when the direction of the flow flips and attempts to enter into your home. When the line is no longer under pressure from the wrong direction flow, the gate opens again allowing the valve to resume its usual operation.
A backwater valve is typically installed inside the basement right at the exit point of the main sewer lateral. In rare cases, it can be put outside the home however the grade of the pipe must be adequate to support this install.
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS IN TORONTO
Installing a backwater valve is a complex project that requires not only a City permit but a final inspection from a City appointed inspector. At Trouble Shooters, we have been managing backwater valve installation projects for over 15 years. Our team is very familiar with the process of obtaining any required permits and booking inspections. We handle this part of the process for our customers, keeping the progression of the project streamlined and stress free.
Backwater Valve Rebate Program in Toronto
The City of Toronto, while working to make improvements to its vast sewer system, has a great rebate program for residents looking to upgrade their homes flood protection. The City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program offers financial subsidy of up to $3,400 per property to install flood protection devices.
This rebate applies to installing a back-water valve on the sanitary sewage and/or storm water connection and/or installing a sump pump to manage the water normally collected by footing weeping tiles that drain to the sanitary/storm or combined sewer.
Eligible backwater valve work:
- Installation of backwater valve
- Replacement of existing backwater valve
- Installation of alarm for backwater valve
Available subsidy = 80% of the invoiced cost up to a maximum of $1,250 regardless of the number of devices installed at the property, including eligible labour, materials, permit and taxes. All work must be carried out by a plumber, licensed by the City.




