Sump Pump vs Backwater Valve: What Do You Need?

Feb 16 2023

In a battle of sump pump vs. backwater valve, which one do you need at home?

Well, while both of these vital plumbing devices aid in preventing floods in and around your household during heavy rains, it isn’t easy to pinpoint which one would be the best fit for your home.

You’ve come to the right place, because we’re here to help you decide between the two.

Let’s take a closer look!

What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a cylindrical device that is designed to drain excess water. This plumbing device is placed in a three-foot pit dug at the lowest area of your home; usually the basement or crawl space. When it does its job, a sump pump prevents flooding, mould, and water damage by redirecting water into a separate draining space.

A sump pump consists of three main components:

• A tank that retains the water that gets drained by a weeping tile system;
• A pump that pushes the water up and out of the basement to a drainage point; and
• A battery back-up system and alarm. These sump pump features are optional, but highly recommended.

Now, a backwater valve works as a backflow prevention tool that stops outbound water from flooding your house. The valve is designed with a flap that lets water out but shuts to prevent any potential backflow.

A backwater valve is typically activated when a city’s sewer lines need some help handling a large volume of rainwater.

This device is composed of two basic parts:

• A protective flap to promote one direction of water; and
• A cleanout.

Do You Need a Sump Pump and a Backwater Valve?

Generally, you need both of them. That’s right, in order to shield your home as optimally as possible, it isn’t the sump pump vs. backwater valve. Rather, it’s the sump pump and the backwater valve.

This is because the two serve the same purpose, but in different ways.

Why Your Property Needs a Sump Pump

A sump pump helps prevent flooding and water damage to your property. It works by collecting and removing water that accumulates underground near the foundation. When the water hits a certain level, the sump pump activates to work its magic.

You will need a sump pump especially during the springtime when it rains frequently and water levels rise significantly.

During this wet season, water tends to find its way towards our homes. Without a sump pump at the forefront, some extent of water damage is inevitable.

Why Your Property Needs a Backwater Valve

Most homes should have a backwater valve installed. Just like a sump pump, backwater valves are designed to hinder floods. The primary difference between the two lies in the fact that a backwater valve prevents municipal sewers from flooding your home.

In a normal situation, a backwater valve sits dormantly, but once your local sewer system overflows and water flows into your drain pipe, the valve closes to keep the flood from backing up into your household.

Weather the Storms with a Sump Pump and Backwater Valve

The accumulation of stormwater will not be a problem for a high-quality sump pump and backwater valve.

At 1st Rooter, we understand that a flooded basement can be a major stressor that no one should have to face, which is why we believe in taking proper precautions to prevent such a significant hassle.

Shield your basement from flood with the help of our state-of-the-art sump pump and backwater valve systems. This way, you won’t have to worry about a thing as these devices will do the heavy lifting for you!

If you want to enjoy a flood-free basement, give 1st Rooter a call to learn more about how you can keep your home safe from potential flooding.