How the job runs
- 1Locate the mainfind the building drain where it leaves the house, usually under the basement floor
- 2Permitapply for the City of Toronto plumbing permit
- 3Cut the slabopen the floor over the main drain near the front wall
- 4Installfit a mainline backwater valve of the normally-open type, under a removable access cover
- 5Inspect and finishpass the city inspection, then pour concrete and fit the cover
01When you need one
If storm water has ever risen through your floor drain, or neighbours on your street have had that happen, the city sewer is backing up under pressure. A backwater valve stops it at your foundation. Low-lying parts of Scarborough near ravines and creeks see this more often, yet hard summer downpours have soaked basements in every corner of the city.
Few single upgrades protect a basement as well.
| Type | Normally-open mainline valve, so fixtures still drain in normal use |
|---|---|
| Subsidy | The city has funded part of the cost in some years; confirm today's terms |
| Maintenance | Lift the cover each spring and fall, flush the flap and check the seat |
02How the subsidy works
Toronto's basement flood subsidy program has covered a slice of the bill for a backwater valve, a sump pump and cutting foundation drains from the sewer. It typically requires a permit, an inspection and receipts. Check the city website for current amounts and requirements before work starts.
03Living with a valve
When the valve is closed during a surcharge, water from your own fixtures has nowhere to go either. During a heavy storm, go easy on laundry, showers and flushing. We show you how to open the access cover and check that the flap moves freely.