Did you know?
When the backwater valve closes the sewer line, you should not use the toilet, sink, shower, washer, or dishwasher. Until the flap is reopened, the wastewater will have nowhere to go except up the floor drain and into your basement.
The drainage system inside your house channels wastewater from your sinks, laundry, shower and toilet through pipes that connect to a main sanitary sewer pipe under your basement floor. This pipe leads to the property line where it connects with the EPCOR main line.
A backwater valve is placed on the main sanitary sewer pipe in your home to prevent sewage from flowing back into your home and flooding your basement in a severe storm event. It does this by automatically closing its flap.
A backwater valve is an important tool for protecting your home, but it does require maintenance to ensure it remains effective.
To do this you will need to remove the cleanout plug from the top of the valve.