Do You Need a Backwater Valve? Key Signs & Situations
If your home has plumbing fixtures located below street level, a backwater valve may be required by city code—and it may be the only protection between your basement and a sewer backup.
Many Toronto homeowners discover the need for a valve only after water or raw sewage backs up through floor drains during or after heavy rainfall. If your drains gurgle during storms or you notice a sewage smell in the basement, these are signs of pressure buildup in the municipal sewer line.
Another red flag is overflowing floor drains or water seeping up from your basement toilet or shower during wet weather. If your house was built before backwater valves became standard, you're likely missing one entirely.
Aquaboss installs code-compliant valves in older homes, finished basements, and any property at risk of backflow through the sanitary line.