It’s been a tough winter, with the ice-storm, the power outage, and weeks of ridiculously cold temperatures that wouldn’t go away. We never know what the weather is going to throw at us next, and it could be heavy rains at any time. There are several reasons why it’s a good time to install a backwater valve in your home this summer. Here are our top 4 reasons why you should do so:
Reason #1: You’ll Lower the Chances of Flooding
A backwater valve will lower your chances of basement flooding, which can be both costly and inconvenient. It can also represent a health risk, depending on where the floodwaters come from. Backed-up sewers can cause water contaminated with raw sewage to enter your home, and even after cleanup, you’ll need to sanitize and replace many of the furnishings and personal items.
Reason #2: You Don’t Pay for It
Various municipalities within the GTA including Toronto and Peel offer funded backwater valve installation programs. The programs available typically work on the basis of a rebate after the fact, and your local plumber will be able to guide you through the process of applying. The amounts differ depending on your location, for example:
- Toronto offers a rebate of up to 80% of the cost to a maximum of $1,250, and
- Peel gives eligible homeowners a sanitary backwater valve rebate of $700 dollars.
In most cases, the authorities offer additional rebates for other basement flooding protection devices such as sump pump installation, pipe severance and capping and connection of external weeping tiles.
Reason #3: Your Insurance Premiums Stay Lower
One of the drawbacks of owning your home is the ever-increasing cost of insurance premiums, which seem to go up and up every year. If you’ve reviewed your policy recently, you’ll notice that one of the questions asked is typically about your basement flooding protection. If your answers are satisfactory and you have the right equipment installed to handle minor flooding, chances are good your annual premium increase is going to be lower than it would be otherwise.
Reason #4: Your Homeowners’ Cover Improves
Most types of homeowners’ insurance only cover damage caused by specific incidents, and rising sewage or storm waters isn’t usually one of them. Flood damage protection usually has to be taken out separately, at an additional cost to your regular insurance. Getting cover is difficult if you haven’t taken the necessary precautions to prevent flooding, and even if you can get a policy you’re likely to either:
- Pay high premiums
- Have a high deductible, or
- Have limited cover.
It simply isn’t worth it to own a home and not install a backwater valve for protection. From the viewpoints of your health, wellbeing, convenience, and finance, it pays to ensure basement flooding either can’t happen or is covered if it does.
