Quick takeaways
- Sump pump removes groundwater that collects under your basement floor.
- Backwater valve stops sewer water from flowing back into your house when the city main backs up.
- Heavy storms in Kanata can trigger both scenarios — they're not redundant.
What each one actually does
Your sump pump sits in a pit below your basement floor and pumps out water that the weeping tile around your foundation collects. It handles groundwater from rain, snowmelt, and high water table — common in Kanata's clay soil.
A backwater valve sits on your main sewer lateral and is a one-way valve. When the city sewer backs up during heavy rain (which has happened in parts of Ottawa-west), the valve closes and prevents sewage from flowing back up through your basement floor drain or toilets.
Related services
Need a Kanata plumber?
24/7 dispatch · flat-rate pricing · local crews