A client I inspected a home for had a problem with the home he was selling, an inspector had called out blocked access to his backwater valve, and he had agreed to get it fixed for the buyers. So he asked me to do it. So I did, and when we opened it up found that it was buried under 12" or so of gravel. I provided access and we closed everything up so my client can now move out of his old house, but,
My question is , why would anyone need to get access to this obviously well buried backwater valve?
Are there any serviceable parts?
Does it require periodic maintenance?
Please just answer if you are informed, I can already do ‘don’t know for sure’, and ‘my guess is…’
90% of the time they have been covered with flooring anyway, out of sight out of mind, but every home built in Edmonton since 1989 has one of these gizmos, so I could be calling it out on just about every home I inspect if I wanted to make everyone regret they had called in a home inspector.
My thoughts are there is nothing needed re maintenance or service, insurance companies want to know they are in place, so I tell my clients, tell your insurance companies, yes, my home was built after 1989, so there is one.
Q: With a Normally Open Gate Fullport Backwater Valve or Normally Open Gate Adapt-A-Valve, what is the chance of the gate not closing?
**A: **As long as the valve has been properly installed (proper slope, laminar flow rule followed) and is clean and maintained, it will close. You should inspect your valve every 3 months, removing any buildup noted, and hosing the gate and valve surfaces clean with water pressure as needed.
OK So given the plastic cover was half buried in the slab, the valve was covered with several cubic feet of gravel a foot below the slab, and that all of them are like that, any suggestions? Anyone?
I must live on a different planet what are you guys calling a backwater valve is it the main shut off for domestic water or what just curious. I may want to change planets some day;-)
Ok I learned something today we don’t use the term backwater on my planet we call them check valves and they are not required here except on sprinkler systems
Almost all of ours are covered as well Erik. They are usually in the basement family room under the carpet. If you feel around enough and have luck on your side you might feel the cover. They are not a requirement here but it is asked on most insurance forms. I asked a plumber once why they get covered in and his response was that they do not require maintenance and are fine to be covered in. This was just his opinion.
Ok I understand backwater now but tell me this do they interfere with a sewer auger and the location of the cleanout. If one has to pull a commode to rod out a drain or come down the roof vent with a auger how do you get past the back water valve. Sorry I have never seen one installed or where exactly they are installed:mrgreen:
Oh my goodness backwater valves are required for any drainage that is installed below grade to prevent flooding. And yes they MUST be accessible and should be regularly checked.
There are usually two different types of backwater (backflow devices). A (full port) always open type that can be installed on the main drain that is usually at the foundation wall and is quite large.
And then the smaller valve that is to be installed for the below grade drainage only and should not be on the main drain. These are required by all insurance company’s and mandated by city’s building codes.
Hello Martin.
Here in Quebec Canada it is required not only from the city’s bylaws the insurance
company’s will not cover you for flooding if one is not installed. I would think if you were to contact your local insurance company’s and ask them directly you would find out this. I have been a master plumber for over 25 years and inspecting homes almost 8 years and I think I know the requirements here and is called out here by all inspectors.
I am never trolling post I just try to share my knowledge to help others and to attempt to not have our profession tarnished… By all means check with your local building inspector and insurance providers as that is what will impact your client.
