A: The maintenance of a backwater valve is crucial. It will protect your home from a sewer backup but will also ensure that your insurance policy remains valid. Often, homeowners feel that having an insurance policy is sufficient protection. However, in the event of a sewer backup, the insurance assessor will check the condition of your backwater valve, and if it is found to be clogged up with debris and does not work properly due to a lack of cleaning and maintenance, this may in fact void your claim totally. In fact, most valves will come with recommended maintenance instructions from the manufacturer. So, ignoring that maintenance instruction places you at the same risk as not having a backwater valve at all. For more info
A: Flood prevention cannot be guaranteed. Many floods are acts of nature and cannot be prevented. However many floods, including sewer backup floods can (on most occasions) be prevented. By doing the right things with your property, you limit the risk. To do that, you should undertake a Water Management System Inspection to begin the process. This inspection includes but is not limited to:
- Eavestroughs
- Downspouts
- Exterior lot grading
- Exterior debris
- Downspout run offs
- Weeping tile
- Foundation
- Interior for moisture and cold air returns
- Backwater valve inspection and cleaning
- Sump pump (if present)
- Exterior valve (if present)
After inspecting your property through our Water Management System inspection, we can provide adequate feedback and service for repairs and more efficiency with your flood protection. Along with flood protection, we can also provide services for any plumbing or water management repairs and/or installs. For more information
A: Our services include our:
- Water management system and Backwater valve inspection
- Backwater valve installations
- Water management installations and upgrades
- Backwater valve cleaning/repairs/maintenance
- Education on preventing floods in your home
A: There are many variables to make sure your eavestroughs are in good condition. The visible signs can include the following
- Ensure eaves are not blocked by leaves and debris
- Ensure that the eaves have flow
- Ensure downspouts are connected
- Ensure downspouts are running 6-8 feet away from home, but not into neighbour’s property
A: If you have already experienced a flood in the past, this can mean that the potential of it happening again might be high. Surveying your property is a good step in the right direction to prevent this from happening again. Furthermore, in instances where there has been a flood, please realize that floodwater is likely contaminated, especially in flooding caused by sewer backup. The bacteria and viruses within this water may put your health at risk. If you must enter floodwater (and we recommend that you do not), make sure you wear protective clothing and a mask and leave no skin exposed to the water. Wash thoroughly after any contact with floodwater.
Items or surfaces that have been in contact with floodwater may also be contaminated. If you cannot sanitize an item exposed to floodwater, dispose of it. Some insurance policies will not cover damages until remediation is done by a qualified professional.
After a flood, mould will begin to grow at an alarming rate. The entire flood area will need to be dried and sanitized before you re-enter your home.
For more information
A: Yes. Areas that are not considered a flood zone can still be flooded. If your municipality’s sewer system fails from either an aging sewer system, too much rainwater or melted snow entering the sewer system at once or many other reasons, a flood into your home can still occur. While insurance is always a necessity, prevention is a much better option to having a sewer flood.
An effective and fully operational Water Management System will go a long way to making your home better protected from potential flooding. For more info
A: There are many variables in maintaining a good foundation. If your foundation has cracks, decaying corners, moisture inside your basement, this is a good indication of a foundation that is not in good condition. If the conditions above relate to you, this could mean that you are experiencing hydrostatic pressure and may need your water management system inspected. For more info