What do you think of when planning to rent a property in Montreal or Laval? You mostly think of things like tenant turnover, lease agreements, and property maintenance. However, like most people renting properties, you may forget about drainage safety. This is a crucial factor that you should not miss out on.
With the high rental housing density, unpredictable weather, and aging infrastructure, many landlords find it hard to safeguard their properties from water damage. An overlooked but important safeguard is clapet anti retour drain de plancher.
The backwater valve plays a major role in saving your property from water damage. It also helps you avoid many problems in the long run.
In order to prevent sewage backups, which can happen during periods of intense rainfall or flooding, landlords should install backwater valves on their rental buildings. By acting as one-way gates, these devices stop raw sewage from the main sewer line from returning to the building and generating costly cleanup expenses, health risks, and property damage. A backwater valve protects the landlord’s investment, the health of the occupants, and the safety of the tenants by avoiding such contamination and disturbance.
Think of the drainage issues affecting urban homes
Montreal’s drainage infrastructure is a mix of old and new systems. You will find several houses, made decades ago, with combined sewers. This means in those places, rainwater and wastewater share the same pipes. Think of the spring snowmelt or heavy rains. These weather issues can be too much for the existing municipal system. In some instances, sewage can back up into basements through floor drains. This is not only unhealthy but also causes serious property damage.
Why are rental properties particularly vulnerable?
The reasons are pretty clear:
- More tenants mean more water usage. This certainly increases the water pressure on old drainage lines.
- The older houses often lack protective plumbing features.
- Some landlords rent their basement apartments. It may prove to be risky.
These properties will need a good backup valve for safety
Why does one need a backwater valve?
A backwater valve is a simple but highly effective plumbing device. When you get it installed by a veteran plumber, wastewater management becomes simpler. Outward flow is easily handled by the valve. However, when there is any obstruction and the wastewater attempts to flow backward, the valve kicks into action. It will close automatically then. Your building will not be affected by contaminated water. In simple terms, the valve acts like a one-way gate.
Montreal’s plumbing code now requires modern homes to be equipped with backwater valves. However, some of the older properties still lack this fixture. Landlords in those houses should retrofit by hiring a veteran plumber.
The Significance of Backwater Valves for Landlords
Prevents Damage to Property:
A backwater valve prevents sewage from flooding basements and other lower floors of the rental property by automatically closing during city sewer overflows. By doing this, expensive damage to appliances, finishes, and structural components is avoided.
Preserves Tenant Health:
Tenants may be seriously at risk for health problems due to the presence of dangerous bacteria and pollutants in raw sewage. Landlords make their tenants’ living spaces safer and healthier by avoiding backups.
Lowers Costs: Sewage backups may result in costly repairs, expert cleanups, and maybe legal problems. Long-term financial savings for landlords can be achieved by making the proactive investment to install a backwater valve.
Maintains Business Continuity: Missed rental income can result from a sewage backup that renders a rental property unusable. In order to keep the property a steady source of income, a backwater valve helps avoid these interruptions.
Fulfills Legal Requirements: Backwater valves are mandated by law for safety reasons in many places, particularly for properties that are at or below street level. To avoid fines, landlords must abide by these rules.
Preserves Tenant contentment: Better tenant retention and contentment can result from a dedication to property upkeep and safety, such as installing a backwater valve.
A backwater valve is a one-way gate that is inserted into a building’s main sewer system.
Wastewater escapes: Under typical circumstances, the valve is open, permitting building wastewater to enter the city sewer system.
Backflow is blocked: The valve automatically closes its flap to block the entrance when sewage begins to flow backward from the city sewer (due to flooding or heavy rain).
Containing wastewater stops raw sewage from backing up and flooding the house.
To safeguard your house against sewage backups brought on by clogged municipal sewer lines or overloaded sewer systems during periods of intense precipitation or snowmelt, you need a backwater valve. The valve, which is mounted on the main sewer pipe in your house, has a hinged flap that automatically closes to stop sewage from returning to your home, avoiding pollution and expensive damage.
Why should landlords be careful about this aspect?
There are several reasons:
- Water damage can reduce your property value severely. Even if you get insurance coverage, the flood damage can make getting a better resale value tough.
- When a sewage backup occurs, your tenants may lose personal belongings. Relocation can also be necessary. Without proper protective measures, you may face legal hassles. Installing a backwater valve helps you stay on the safe side.
- Some insurance providers now ask for proof of a functioning backwater valve. You may even avail of a reduced premium if the valve is installed in your house.
Because neglecting plumbing and sanitation can result in property damage, health risks for tenants (such mold or vermin), fines, and possible litigation for breach of the warranty of habitability, landlords need to be mindful of their backwater obligations. In order to protect the integrity of the property and the safety of the renter, it is a basic legal obligation to maintain vital services like gas, water, and sanitation.
Installation and maintenance- why professional service is a must
Do not attempt to install a backwater valve in the DIY route. Choose only licensed plumbers from entities like https://www.plomberie5etoiles.com/ for the best results. It is also necessary to go for annual inspections. This ensures the valve is debris-free and working properly.
