Why do I have a reflux valve in my backyard?
A reflux valve is a one-way valve on a sewer or drainage line. It lets waste flow out of your property but stops it flowing back in. If your home, or part of it, sits low compared with the sewer main or with the nearest overflow point, a reflux valve protects it from sewage backing up into the house when the main is surcharged or blocked. Here's what it does and what it needs.
Why some homes have one
Low fixtures
Basement bathrooms, low laundries or homes below street level can be lower than the point where the sewer would overflow.
Surcharging mains
In heavy rain or a blockage downstream, a sewer main can fill and push back up connecting pipes.
Stormwater too
Reflux valves are also fitted on stormwater lines where water could back up from the street drain.
How it works
Inside the valve is a flap or gate that swings open when waste flows out and closes when flow tries to come back. It usually sits in an access chamber or pit with a lid, so it can be inspected and cleaned.
Looking after it
- Keep the access lid clear and accessible. Don't pave or plant over it.
- Have it inspected and cleaned periodically. Debris, fat or roots can jam the flap open or shut.
- If drains are slow, or the valve chamber smells, have it checked.
- A valve stuck open gives no protection; one stuck shut causes blockages.
We inspect, clean and replace reflux valves and the chambers around them, with a fixed price before any work starts.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Low-lying parts of Botany, Pagewood and Eastgardens, and homes with lower-level rooms in Maroubra and Coogee, are where we most often see reflux valves. Many have never been opened since they were installed.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
What does a sewer reflux valve do?
It lets waste flow out but stops sewage flowing back into the property if the main surcharges.
Does a reflux valve need maintenance?
Yes. Debris and roots can jam it, so it should be inspected and cleaned periodically.
Can I remove my reflux valve?
It shouldn't be removed. It's there to protect low parts of the home from sewage backing up.
Why does my reflux valve chamber smell?
Waste may be collecting around the valve or the lid may not be sealing. Have it checked and cleaned.
Related help: blocked drains, sewer pump-out pits, manholes in the yard and sewer responsibility guide. Local pages: Botany, Pagewood, Eastgardens and Maroubra.