Fullport Backwater Valve Installation Tips

RETROFIT INSTALLATION

A backwater valve may fail to protect if there is a back-grade (flat or negative slope) through the valve.  In order to achieve a minimum slope of 2% through the valve in a retrofit installation, the installer will most likely need to expose up to 4 or 5 feet of pipe.

Many sewers are flat or back-graded and additionally, there is a 3/4" difference in height from inlet to outlet on a Mainline Fullport Backwater Valve.  It may be necessary to adjust the grade on the piping leading up to the valve to achieve the required slope through the backwater valve.

Note:  Our other style valve (the Adapt-A-Valve) designed for direct earth burial outside of the foundation may require excavation of up to 10' of run.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• In retrofit installations, always run and test all fixtures to ensure each one runs through the backwater valve, and nothing remains unprotected.

• Check that the sewer is unrestricted (roots, blockages, etc.) downstream of valve.

• Ensure weeping tiles (French drains) tie in downstream of valve.

• No branch take-offs may be made closer than 2 feet upstream of backwater valve to insure the smooth (laminar) flow of effluent over the gate of the valve.

• Follow installation procedures carefully, with special care and attention to be taken when retrofitting valve into existing systems.

• Warning: Improper installation may result in valve failure

Do not install if proper grade cannot be achieved.

4963 ABS or PVC Backwater Valve Installation Sticker

This is a copy of the 4-1/4" X 4-1/2" adhesive-backed sticker included with each Mainline 4963 ABS or PVC Backwater Valve we sell that should be affixed in a visible spot near the backwater valve installation.

This is a copy of "Installer Notes" written on the peel-off backing of the adhesive-backed Backwater Valve sticker depicted above.

MAINTENANCE

Mainline Fullport Backwater Valves are designed to be virtually maintenance free.  However, they are mechanical devices sitting in a sewage environment, and periodic inspections are required.

To ensure the satisfactory performance of the backwater valve follow the procedures listed below.

1. Remove the cleanout plug on the top of the valve and do a visual inspection.
2. Take a flashlight or trouble light to properly see inside the valve body.
3. Inspect for debris build-up on the body, gate and beneath the gate.
4. If debris build-up is found flush clean.
5. Inspect o-ring and replace if necessary. The valve's gate seals against an o-ring on the body (in the closed position).
6. Ensure gate freely moves up and down.
7. Reinstall cleanout plug.

On models fitted with closed cell polyethylene floats, check the condition of floats and replace as necessary.

Note: these floats are located on both sides of the gate and are protected from sewage contamination by the sidewalls of the gate and body (longlife cycle, impervious to sewage). CSA certified floats.

Bolted Cover

If damage is found on the gate, or a more thorough cleaning of the valve is required, remove the bolted cover.  Important: if you have difficulty maintaining these backflow devices, contact your plumber.

More information may be available from the manufacturer's website at www.backwatervalves.com

Back to the Frequently Asked Questions page

 - Back water valves - Backwater Valve Diagram - Backwater Valve Features -
- Backwater Valve Videos - Backflow Links - Backwater Valve Brochure (pdf) - Backwater Valve Animation -

- Adapt-A-Valves - Adapt-A-Valve Brochure (pdf) -
- Affordable Flood Alarms - Mainline History - Testimonials - Home -

Measurements and Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
  Contact Us

Mainline Fullport Backwater Valves offer the right solution for your sewer backup problems. 
SPECIAL OFFER: We ship our Mainline Backwater Valves with Access Box ($89.00 value if purchased separately)
Valves without Access Box are also available with a slight shipping discount in the price.

Protect Your Home with a Backwater Valve
from Backwater-Valve.com

Orders must be placed online by Credit Card,
but you may phone Greg at 330.836.9393 for info
(9 AM - 4 PM Eastern or Voicemail anytime)
Email: Help@Backwater-Valves.com
Check Our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Page

© 2004-2010 Backwater-Valves.com.
Akron, OH, USA
All rights reserved.

backwater-valves.com is independently owned and resells
products produced by Mainline of Canada and assumes no
liability for the installation of backwater valves and related products.
Check with the plumbing authority in the municipality in which your valve
is to be installed to insure that your installation is in compliance with local code,
and be sure have your valve inspected by your local plumbing inspector after installation.
Inspect your valve frequently; the Backwater Valve through its clear plastic housing top,
and the Adapt-A-Valve, by removing the gate cassette.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Pipe end-to-end, the Adapt-A-Valve takes up 6" of run in your line
and the outlet is 1-1/2" LOWER than the inlet, so in just 6"
the level of the pipe at the outlet side needs to be 1-1/2" lower.
Pipe end-to-end, the Backwater Valve takes up 12" of run in your line
and the outlet is 3/4" LOWER than the inlet, so in just 12"
the level of the pipe at the outlet side needs to be 3/4" lower.
Depending upon the amount of slope in your line
(2% minimum is required for proper operation),
you may need to replace several feet of pipe downstream
from the valve to average out this "loss" of fall.

Policies

High-volume inquires are directed to Tom at Mainline

Backwater-valves.com / Bike-run-walk.com accepts these
major credit cards plus eCheck
using PayPal's secure checkout.
(No PayPal account needed)
We are unable to process phone orders,
all orders must be placed via the website.
more . . .