After the 2013 flood, what should Calgary homeowners install?

The City of Calgary's flood-protection advice centres on two installations: backwater valves and sump pumps. A backwater valve sits on the sewer line and prevents sewage from flowing back into the house during an overloaded main; a sump pump removes groundwater that collects in the pit beneath the basement floor. Together they address the two main paths water takes into a basement during a heavy rain or rapid snowmelt event.

What each system does and what it costs

A backwater valve requires a plumbing permit from the City of Calgary, and the price depends heavily on how deep the sewer line sits and how much concrete has to be cut to reach it. There is no reliable flat range for this job, so get an itemized quote that separates labour, the valve itself, concrete cutting and patching, and the permit. The City of Calgary recommends a backwater valve on the sewer pipe or on basement fixtures; in homes built in the floodway, flood fringe or overland flow areas, new construction is required to have one.

A sump pump installed typically runs $800 to $3,000 in Calgary, with a battery backup adding roughly $200 to $500. The City of Calgary advises a backup pump with battery or generator power, a check valve and a moisture alarm. Discharge should clear the backfill around the foundation, not drain right next to it. Calgary's drainage bylaw allows weeping tile and sump water to go to the storm system. Replace the pump roughly every ten years, and test it before spring melt each year.

A plumbing permit from the City of Calgary is required for a backwater valve installation. A homeowner who owns and lives in the home may apply for that permit if they do the work themselves; when you hire a plumber, the plumber takes it out. For sump pump work, ask the City whether your particular job needs a permit.

The plumber must be a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice working under one. Before signing anything, ask to see the trade certificate and a WCB-Alberta clearance letter confirming the contractor's account is in good standing. If any deposit is taken before the work is finished, the contractor must hold an Alberta prepaid contracting licence issued by Service Alberta; check that before handing over any money.

A written contract for work over $200 arranged at your home must include a detailed description of the scope, itemized prices, start and completion dates, and your 10-day cancellation rights. Get a copy when you sign.

Check the City of Calgary's website before counting on any rebate for a backwater valve; we found no current City subsidy for this work.

When you set two quotes side by side, compare the valve model and sump pump model by name, whether the permit and inspection fee are included, who patches the concrete and what that finish looks like, and what warranty each contractor puts in writing on both parts and labour.