Why Every Whitby & Oshawa Homeowner Should Consider Installing a Backwater Valve in 2025

Imagine a heavy rainstorm. The streets are wet, the gutters are running full, and you’re feeling grateful to be warm inside your home. But what you can’t see is what’s happening underground. Sewer systems in Whitby and Oshawa can quickly become overwhelmed during heavy rainfall or spring thaws. When that happens, sewage and stormwater don’t always flow away from your home—they can reverse direction, flooding back through your pipes and into your basement.

The solution? A simple but highly effective device called a backwater valve. It’s one of the most important safeguards you can add to your home, yet many homeowners haven’t heard of it. Here’s why you should care—and why now is the right time to take action.

1. Protect Your Home from Sewer Backups

Few things are more disruptive than sewage backing up into a basement. It doesn’t just mean water on the floor—it means contaminated water that can destroy flooring, drywall, furniture, and anything you store downstairs. The clean-up is costly and stressful, and in many cases, the damage is permanent.

A backwater valve is designed to stop that from happening. Installed on your home’s main sewer line, the device works automatically: under normal conditions, it allows wastewater from your home to flow out. The concept is simple: think of a backwater valve as a one-way gate. When you flush a toilet, do laundry, or run the dishwasher, water flows out through your sewer line as normal. But if water tries to reverse direction, the valve’s flap snaps shut, creating a barrier.

The device itself is installed below your basement floor, usually where your home’s plumbing connects to the municipal sewer. It requires professional installation, as the sewer line needs to be accessed, fitted, and properly sealed. Once installed, the valve should be inspected and maintained occasionally to make sure the flap is working as intended.

2. Stay Protected Financially with Insurance Coverage

Home insurance doesn’t always guarantee protection when it comes to sewer backups. In fact, many insurers in Ontario are tightening their requirements. Some policies only cover sewer backup damage if a backwater valve is installed. Others may deny claims entirely if you don’t have one.

That means a relatively small investment in a backwater valve can help ensure your insurance remains valid—and that you’re not left paying out of pocket for a flooded basement. For many homeowners, this reason alone makes the valve worth installing.

3. Durham Region Recommends Backflow Protection

Across Durham Region, municipalities are taking the issue of backflow prevention seriously. Backflow prevention devices are already required by by-law for many properties in the region, particularly to protect drinking water systems. While the by-law focuses on potable water, local plumbing experts highlight that backwater valves (for sewage protection) are becoming a standard part of flood-prevention practices as well. For example, Durham Regional Council passed the Backflow Prevention by-law in 2018 to add to Durham Region’s mult-barrier approach to safe drinking water.

For homeowners in Whitby and Oshawa, this makes installing a backwater valve both a smart and forward-looking choice.

Local Protection, Peace of Mind

Living in Whitby, Oshawa, or anywhere in Durham Region means dealing with the reality of unpredictable weather—from heavy rains in spring to sudden thaws in winter. While you can’t control the weather or the municipal sewer system, you can control how well your home is protected.

Installing a backwater valve offers:

• Protection from unexpected sewage backups.

• Financial security, with fewer risks of denied insurance claims.

• Peace of mind every time a heavy storm is forecast.

At Marco Plumbing, we’ve helped homeowners across Whitby, Oshawa, and Port Perry safeguard their homes with backwater valve installations. Our licensed technicians handle everything—from assessing your risk and securing permits to proper installation and maintenance.

When the next storm hits, wouldn’t it be better to know your home is protected?

Conclusion

A backwater valve is one of those plumbing upgrades that homeowners rarely think about—until it’s too late. By installing one, you’re not only protecting your home from flooding but also securing your financial and emotional peace of mind.

If you’re a homeowner in Whitby, Oshawa, or nearby communities, now is the time to ask about a backwater valve. Marco Plumbing is here to help, offering expertise, experience, and local knowledge you can rely on.

Take the step today. It’s a small investment that could make all the difference tomorrow.