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Sump pumps and backwater valves in Kitchener-Waterloo

Sump pumps and backwater valves installed and replaced to keep groundwater and sewer water out of your basement.

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519-589-8332
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Sump pumps and backwater valves for homes across Kitchener-Waterloo

A sump pump sits in a pit in the basement floor and pumps out groundwater that collects around the foundation, sending it outside through a discharge pipe. A backwater valve has a different job: it is a one-way valve on the main sewer line that closes if the city sewer backs up, so sewage cannot flow back into your basement.

Two common causes of a flooded basement are a sump pump that quits during heavy rain and a sewer backup in a home with no backwater valve. We install and replace both, and a battery backup pump or a high-water alarm can add another layer of protection for a finished basement.

Signs you need sump pumps and backwater valves

  • The sump pump runs constantly, or not at all
  • The pump is more than about 10 years old
  • Water in the basement after heavy rain or snowmelt
  • Sewer water coming up through a floor drain
  • Your home has a finished basement and no backwater valve
  • Your insurer has asked about backwater protection

How the job works

  1. Assess the basement

    We check the sump pit, the pump, the discharge line and the main drain, and find out whether a backwater valve is already in place.

  2. Install or replace the pump

    We set the new pump in the pit and connect it to the discharge line with a check valve, which stops pumped water from running back into the pit.

  3. Install the backwater valve

    We break out the floor at the main drain, install the valve in the line and restore the floor around an access cover so the valve can be inspected.

  4. Test

    We fill the pit to confirm the pump starts and stops on its own, and check that the backwater valve opens and closes freely.

Common questions

How often should I test my sump pump?

Test it in spring and fall by slowly pouring a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should start, empty the pit and shut off on its own.

Does a backwater valve need maintenance?

Yes. It should be checked and cleaned from time to time, because debris can stop the flap from closing fully, and the access cover in the floor is there so you can reach it.

Is there a rebate for installing a backwater valve?

Some municipalities have offered subsidy programs for backwater valves and related work, and the details change. Check with your city before the work starts, because some programs require approval in advance.

Related services

  • Drain cleaning

    Slow and blocked drains cleared in sinks, tubs, floor drains and the main sewer line from your house.

  • Basement and laundry rough-in

    Rough-in plumbing for basement bathrooms, wet bars and laundry rooms, including drains below the concrete floor.

Where we do sump pumps and backwater valves

Based in Kitchener, working across Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and Stratford.