If you live in NYC or any city that suffers from a lot of rain and sewer back ups, you should consider installing a storm drain check valve on your property. It can save you a ton of money and hassle by protecting your property from back ups caused by a public sewer or septic backup.
The installation of a storm drain check valve is a fairly straightforward procedure and can be done by a licensed plumber in an hour or two. There are a few things that you should consider before deciding to have this type of installation done.
First, make sure you have a homeowner’s insurance policy that covers plumbing back ups in your home. Then, ask a few questions about the company you’re considering to install the valve.
Are they a licensed master plumber? Does your neighborhood have a good reputation for hiring quality, trustworthy plumbers? Do they have experience installing this particular type of backwater prevention device in your area?
Do they have any certifications and references from previous projects that you can look at?
A good way to find a reliable and honest plumbing service is to do some research online. You can also get some recommendations from other homeowners in your area who have had similar experiences.
Besides your insurance and the licensing of the plumber, other things to keep in mind are the slope of your pipe and the pitch of the backwater valve itself. If your drain pipes are not sloped correctly, clogs can easily form inside of the check valve and cause it to open up and slam shut.
In addition, it is important that the correct installation location is chosen. This is because if your trap plugs are on the street side of the backwater valve, they can be blown out due to backwater pressure from the public sewer system.
These can lead to sewage flooding your house and causing water damage. Therefore, you should only trust a licensed plumber to install the check valve at the right place.
The flap of the check valve is normally closed to allow waste water and sewer gas to pass through, but it has floatation devices on either side that lift up and close when sewage or water starts flowing back into your home. This allows the backwater valve to stop the flow of sewage into your home until gravity allows the flap to return to its normal position.
There are many different types of storm drain check valves available, and you should consult with a local plumbing service to determine which one will work best for your needs. Some of the more common ones include the Proco ProFlex series 711/731 Slope Bottomed Check Valve, and the Tideflex CheckMate Inline Check Valve.
They are made of a rubber material and have a low cracking pressure that prevents the backflow of liquids and entrained solids. They also have a spring-assist closing mechanism that automatically opens and closes when the system reaches a predetermined level of backpressure.