April showers bring May flowers…and, unfortunately, many flooded basements. If you want to make sure you aren’t the lucky recipient of a flooded basement this spring, you need to make sure you have the appropriate measures in place.
One common item plumbers and other home improvement specialists refer to when talking about protecting a home from basement flooding is a backflow valve. Here’s what that is and why you might need one.
What is a backflow valve?
In the event that your basement floods, water backs up into the drains. If that water were to flow backward into your pipes it could contaminate your clean drinking water causing you and your family to become ill. To put it very simply, a backflow valve is a valve that is placed on your water pipes to prevent that from happening.
Does my home need a backflow valve?
Yes. Unless your home is located in a dessert, it should have a backflow valve installed. And, if your home was built after 1979 it is required to have one – especially if you have a sump pump. And, if there is no sump pump in your home or you have experienced recent flooding, it is in your best interest to call a professional and have your basement system inspected to ensure it is working correctly.
To help guarantee you won’t have any messes on your hand this spring, be sure to regularly inspect your sump pump and sump pump system. Regular inspection will catch any issues with your backflow valve and ensure they are corrected before they cause an issue for you and your family.
You can schedule your inspection today by calling 410-SAMEDAY. Just be sure to do it soon before the spring rains come our way!
