Sewer Valves Explained: Different Types Of Sewer Backwater Valves

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There are various types of sewer backwater valves. These different types of sewer valves are meant for different sewer flooding issues. A sewer check valve is meant for when a flash rainstorm causes a public sewer to surcharge for a period of a few hours. On the other hand, an automatic sewer gate valve (also known as a flood gate valve) can protect your property from sewer water damage over a long period of time.
An automatic knife edged sewer gate valve is a sophisticated and well designed apparatus, far more sophisticated than a check valve. Since every building has its own unique characteristics and plumbing design, they must must be analyzed in order to determine which sewer valve is appropriate. Needless to day, it takes an expert to understand if a sewer valve can solve a sewer flooding problem, and which type of valve to install. In some cases, sewer valves cannot be installed due to the layout and design of the existing plumbing system.
Any sewer valve should be professionally installed by a knowledgeable and licensed plumber. In the NYC area, Balkan Sewer And Water Main is considered an expert in the field of sewer valves. Furthermore, Balkan provides free on site visits and no obligation written estimates 7 days a week. If you have any questions, or need service, simply call us at 718-849-0900, contact us at [e-mail], or use the comment section on this very KZbin video. If is always Team Balkan's pleasure to educate the public, provide expert advice, and expert service as well. We will cater our service to your needs, exceeding your expectations is our number one goal.
Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service was founded in 1952. Since its inception, the foundation of the company has been based upon integrity and honesty in all of our dealings. That solid foundation has enabled us to thrive in every economic climate. The year 2020 actually marks our 68th consecutive year in business. As we have grown, we have become increasingly dependent upon a "Team First" approach.
What helps ensure a continuation of our high standards, overall integrity, and high company morale, is and our "Team First" approach. Complete client satisfaction has always been the number one goal at Balkan Sewer And Water Main. That is why we are NYC's largest and most trusted sewer and water main service in New York City. Simply put, if it's plumbing, and it's underground, we do it. For over 70 years, and for over 00,000 New Yorkers to date, Balkan is "The Team You Trust".
Balkan Sewer And Water Main
NYC's Largest And Most Trusted Service
[e-mail]
718-849-0900
www.balkanplumbing.com
130-01 Jamaica Avenue
Richmond Hill, NY 11418
00:00 An introduction to different types of sewer valves
00:13 A sewer check valve vs. a sewer flood gate valve
00:23 How a sewer check valve works
01:16 Testing a check valve
01:57 Explaining a sewer flood gate valve
02:20 How a flood gate valve works and its components
03:00 Demonstrating how a flood gate valve holds back 100% of backwater

[@MFox-mp3zu]

Could you possibly make a video of some of your jobs featuring the interactions with the examples you’ve brought to us? Kind of like a ride along so that we can gain a better understanding of these uses.

[@balkanplumbing]

That's actually a great idea. The next time we install an automatic flood gate valve we'll make a video of the install process.

[@jerkyturkey007]

If I'm not mistaken, you cannot continue to use your septic line while the backflow valve is closed. So as long as there's backpresure on the line, nothing will flow either direction.

[@balkanplumbing]

Yup. Once the sewer valve closes nothing will flow out as well. A sewer alarm to warn of that situation can be considered.

[@jerkyturkey007]

@@balkanplumbing thanks for confirming that, an alarm would be a good safety precaution. I would imagine in areas where basement flooding is a problem that your homeowners insurance would offer a significant discount for policyholders who install one of those backflow valves.

[@greekmaster1001]

What would you do if there is a 5" old cast-iron sewer pipe? I know they only make it in 4 and 6 " Would you add a 6" flood gate valve which has almost the same outside diameter or two 5x6 reduced couplings?

[@CasualRican]

How fast would this close when there is a surcharge I live in New Jersey by Staten Island and we tend to get our basements flooded from time to time I do have a manual shut off valve but if I'm away and there’s a sudden flash flood I won't be able to close it in time. All I'm asking if it's Immediate and does it open back by itself

[@balkanplumbing]

Great 2 questions. The answers are both positive. The gate closes almost instantly via air pressure. Once closed, it stops sewer water 100%. Once the surcharge (backup) subsides, the gate drops down and lets the waste water flow, just as before. It's an awesome piece of plumbing.

[@CasualRican]

@@balkanplumbing you guys do free Estimates in New Jersey my mother was enlightened by this product and review. Let me know so I can give you a ring this week. I live across the Outerbridge Crossing going into N.J.

[@balkanplumbing]

@@CasualRican I'm glad we helped you in some way. Unfortunately, NJ is out of our service area.

[@coreylambrecht5797]

Sewer scopes: in reference to the regular check valve can they cause a sewer scope camera to get stuck in the pipe when pulling the camera back out?

[@balkanplumbing]

The camera should entered through the clean out at the top of the check valve, not the trap. So no, the camera would not get stuck. Hope that helps!

[@sathishmech6723]

Awesome thanks, But my question is . If we are using floodgate valve outside of the building means how to prevent the back flow to the branches which is connected to the bathroom group

[@balkanplumbing]

Since the backflow valve is connected after the main house trap it prevents backflow to plumbing fixtures inside the entire building and even the main trap itself.

[@JosephTammaro]

Great video. Where do you install the sewer floodgate valve. In the house?

[@balkanplumbing]

Thanks! Always on the street side of the main house trap. Never on the house side of the main house trap.

[@antjobert]

​@@balkanplumbing are these ever installed outdoors directly on the exterior sewer line? Our sewer line is 6 ft underground, so I imagine that it wouldn't work to install it out there unless we can also have a person sized access area to be able to access it. 😕

[@gmsuggs515]

Our sewers backed up and we unfortunately got sewage out of our basement toilet during Hurricane Ida. It turns out we have this exact valve (installed years ago by previous owners). Any ideas on why it may have failed? What would be the process of determining if it needs repair or replacement?

[@balkanplumbing]

Sewer flood gate valves need to be raised and lowered about four times at intervals of about every three months. If they’re not exercised they can freeze in place. There is a tool to do that which screws into the top of the valve. Hope that helps.

[@thebklynprophet]

Which one you have?

[@balkanplumbing]

@@thebklynprophet we install both check valves and flood gate valves.

[@antjobert]

Thanks for sharing your experience, @gmsuggs515. And thanks for mentioning the maintenance that this type of valve would need @balkanplumbing

[@johnkim1656]

Where can you buy the $1200 valve in NYC area? Im in North NJ

[@balkanplumbing]

JR Smith is the manufacturer. Any plumbing supply house can order one for you. They are typically not a stock item though.

[@pavoutsinas]

Can the gate valve be install without the check valve?

[@balkanplumbing]

They are copmpletely different types of devices, and meant for different purposes. A check valve is meant for short term sewer surcharges of a few hours or so. A gate valve is meant for longer term sewer surcharges. You would either install one or the other, not both. Hope that helps!

[@mandraman1]

I have a question. My backwater valve is installed behind the U-trap. When I removed the cover from the check valve, I saw that 1/2 of the pipe going to the street was covered with water, in 1/2 of the diameter of the pipe there was standing water. Is this normal, should there be water, or should the pipe going out to the street be empty? I watched your video about cleaning the check valve and wanted to clean it and I found it this.

[@balkanplumbing]

That is an incorrect installation and there should be no water in the pipe. The check valve sounds like it is installed back pitched and on the wrong side of the trap.

[@balkanplumbing]

Your current condition will create clogs and potential sewer flooding. No lie!

[@mandraman1]

Thank you for writing back to me. This isn't on the wrong side. The cast iron pipe (5 inches) in the basement is located under the floor and leads to a 5-inch U-shaped trap. On the other side of the U-trap is a connected 5-inch check valve, and the check valve is connected to a 6-inch cast iron pipe that goes out to the street. I only see 2 vertical straight pipes with rubber plugs from the U-trap, next is a check valve with a cover, then a 5 X 6 reducer, and a 6 inch pipe. The water is inside the reducer and a 6-inch pipe, it is 1/2 of the pipe size about 3 inches

[@TOPTOPICEVERYDAY]

How much si the cost to install flood gate valve in the bronx? Thanks an estimate would be nice

[@balkanplumbing]

Every job is different and has different circumstances. Contact my office for a free and no obligation site visit and estimate. 718-849-0900.

[@balkanplumbing]

Or via our web site.

[@micheleny7443]

I wish our landlord had invested in this. We had 3 feet of sewage in the basement and lost everything… almost lost our Mom., some were not so lucky :(

[@balkanplumbing]

Since the easiest and least costly install is when a house is built, I’d like to see some sort of legislation in the form of a plumbing code requirement. It only seems to make sense. To install after a house is built costs many times more. Not to mention it’s after folks have had experiences like yours; loss of personal property, property damage, and expensive remediation and restoration.

[@jballs1118]

What is the cost of installation of the pressure valve that doesn’t leak ?

[@balkanplumbing]

Each job requires a site visit. Each install is different if the property is a candidate for a sewer valve.

[@jballs1118]

@@balkanplumbing thanks

[@balkanplumbing]

@@jballs1118 A little more insight into pricing. The check valve is a much simpler and less costly device, and the install is much easier. As prices vary greatly by locale, it's safe to say that the check valve costs about 40% of what a proper flood gate valve installation costs. Hoping that helps you a little bit more!

[@DesmoProfundis]

I'm not understanding what causes the flood gate value to shut, nor what causes it to open again when the trouble has passed. I know you said backwater pressure but, I'm just not seeing it.

[@balkanplumbing]

When the actual drain piping fills with water, it causes the air in the air chamber to compress. The compressed air then forces the gate inside the valve to close. When the water flows out, the pressure releases, and the gate re-opens. Makes sense?

[@tc15002]

@@balkanplumbing how much water are needed to build up air pressure? at that time, my basement may already have a lot of water. thank you

[@divad144]

If that air chamber valve is closed due to water from the sewer lines going in the wrong direction, then how will waste from the house exit into the sewer line? Won’t the waste from the house also pile up behind the gate

[@balkanplumbing]

That is correct. That is why the occupants have to be careful of water use during a sewer surcharge. That is also why each and every building has to be carefully inspected before a flood gate valve is considered as an option. For instance, if the roof rain leaders are connected to the same house sewer, a flood gate valve is probably not an option. That's for the great comment, helpful to others I'm sure.

[@pavoutsinas]

Correct ... you will be shit out of luck ... alarm on the system is a good idea so people stop using the water until the main clears.

[@balkanplumbing]

I'd agree, a sewer alarm is helpful. Many are easy to install and fairly inexpensive. They can be investigated online, and should be professionally installed.