What the heck is a backwater valve, and why would I even care about it? 12262022 (Green Valley: house)

[bkolodzi]

If you are connected to a sewer system as opposed to a septic system, and have had water back up in to your house, this video may apply to you! My sister and her husband bought a house in Desert Hills II in Green Valley, AZ. The first time they stayed there, they were able to shower, etc for a while, but eventually, dirty water started backing up in to the shower/tub in the bathrooms. This was not sewer water backing up in to the house, but it was waste water from the house not being able to get out to the sewer. I called one plumbing company who came out with a snake and tried to clear the blockage to no avail. $119 later, I started to look for someone else. I called my sister and asked who had come out previously. She did some searching and found that it was Terry Bessett Plumbing. I called them and they came out and cleared the backed up water with something that looked like a tire pump on steroids that could apply pressure or suction. This is when I first learned about a backwater valve.

This same issue occurred again a day or so later. I asked about how we could fix this issue permanently, and I was told that the most likely issue would be the backwater valve, and that we would need to replace it. I asked about the cost and was quoted $1250, but could be more depending on how deep the valve was. We set a date to do the work, and this video shows you what was done. We did not only replace the backwater valve, but installed a new type of valve that could be serviced without having to dig it up again. Since this replacement, we have not had any further issues, so I would say it was money well spent. The valve was sticking shut, and not allowing water from the house to go out to the sewer. Apparently, the flapper was so decrepit that it kept getting stuck shut and causing the issue. If any of this sounds familiar to you, this may be the fix you need to do.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL8NdADuuRI

[TimAZ]

$1250 is a good price from a licensed plumber. The flapper-valve part they are replacing typically costs less than $100, everything else is labor.

[bkolodzi]

Originally Posted by TimAZ

$1250 is a good price from a licensed plumber. The flapper-valve part they are replacing typically costs less than $100, everything else is labor.

That is 100% correct Tim. They had to dig about 5 feet to get low enough to install the replacement. As previously mentioned, the new valve can be serviced without having to dig it up again which is a real bonus!!!